We can thank our lymphatic systems for clearing out the bodily waste collected in our blood capillaries.
The lymphatic system is a circulatory system made up of lymph vessels much like blood vessels. The lymphatic system drains extra fluid (called lymph) that has passed out of the blood and into tissues and returns it back to the blood via vessels on either side of the neck just above the collar bone. Along the way are the clearing stations in the armpits, neck, chest, abdomen and groin. Sometimes following an infection or illness, you will notice swollen lymph nodes.
Lymphedema is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. There is no pump, but diaphragmatic breathing can help move the fluid by creating negative pressure within the thorax causing the thoracic duct (the largest lymphatic collection duct) to spurt it out at a rate that is 10-15 times the normal rate of flow.
Any muscular movement will stimulate and increase the flow of lymph and laughter yoga, which promotes diaphragmatic breathing, is an easy and effective way to do just that. Laughter yoga, as a purely physical activity bypasses the mental process and lets anyone laugh without humour, jokes or comedy. Simple techniques combine laughter and gentle stretching, (no complicated poses) and require no special equipment or experience – just the desire to have fun and improve health. Ten to fifteen minutes of laughter yoga exercises really gets the lymph moving and improves overall health painlessly without strain while increasing lymphatic flow and oxygenation.
Remember research has shown that laughter effectively decreases stress, strengthens the immune system, increases endorphins (the “feel good” chemicals in the brain), decreases and controls blood pressure, decreases heart rate and fights depression.
Live, Love, Laugh ………and let the Lymph Flow!
Love & laughter blessings,
Kathryn