4 Reasons Dry Brushing Should Be Part Of Your Self-Care Routine

Do you still feel guilty about practising self-care? It’s not selfish it helps you live a healthier life. Best of all, self-care doesn’t have to cost much money.

Dry brushing is a great self-care option that you may not have tried yet, and it might be time to start. Here are four health benefits of dry brushing:

The What and How of Dry Brushing
If you’ve ever had close contact with a horse, you might know that they love it when you “curry” them. That’s because the process has many of the same benefits that dry brushing does.

Dry brushing involves using a natural-bristle brush. All you do is rub the brush on your body in a circular motion, starting from your feet and working your way upwards to your shoulders. Use light pressure on delicate areas and a firmer touch on tougher places like your heels. Once you finish brushing, take a shower to rinse away any dead skin cells.

Dry brushing can also be a preventive skin care treatment for those with a history of the disease. For example, you might easily notice changes that alert you to possible skin cancer and lead you to seek help sooner.

The Benefits of Dry Brushing

1. Dry brushing exfoliates your skin.

Dry brushing removes dead skin cells, giving you a healthy glow. As a result, it can help you prevent acne. Do frequent breakouts on your back make you embarrassed to wear low-cut dresses or feel confident in your bathing suit? Try getting a brush with a handle to unclog those pesky pores.

Exfoliation also encourages lymphatic drainage. Lymph is a body fluid inside your cells after your cardiovascular system increases blood flow to an area to deliver oxygen and other nutrients. It can cause painful swelling and puffiness, but dry brushing can help ease both.

To kick your dry brushing up a notch, add a little moisture. A few drops of apple cider vinegar with your favourite exfoliating scrub can increase the effectiveness of your dry brushing routine.

2. It can improve your circulation

Dry brushing acts like a gentle massage, drawing blood to your skin’s surface. Therefore, it could be particularly beneficial to people with skin disorders who also struggle with their blood circulation.

Remember, though, that you should avoid dry brushing cracked or broken skin. Instead, talk to your doctor about treatments to help you manage your symptoms.

3. Dry brushing soothes your nervous system.

Dry brushing also soothes your nervous system. The gentle circular motion activates your parasympathetic nervous system — the part of your nervous system that helps you relax.

To maximize the nervous system benefits of dry brushing, practice deep breathing while you scrub. Inhale as you make five circles in a clockwise motion, then move the brush counterclockwise as you exhale. You might also hum gently as you exhale, which massages your vagus nerve, the longest of your 12 cranial nerves. This nerve is also vital to your relaxation response, so stimulating it can give you an even more peaceful dry brushing experience.

4. It can help you practice mindful self-care.

Today’s hectic lifestyle may keep you on the go, but dry brushing is an easy way to slow down and relax a little bit. It allows you to focus on the repetitive, gentle physical motions as your mind enters a meditative state. You can use your dry brushing time to reflect on your day and practice acceptance.

This year, make dry brushing a self-improvement goal. It takes only minutes per day, it costs nothing, and it can help you improve your health too. All you need is a natural-bristle brush and a gentle touch. Once you try this self-care activity, you’ll feel much calmer.