Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Healthy Choices: Body Brushing



One of my passions is healthy living, and hopefully I'll be writing more on that in the future. Taking care of one's body is beyond important and not just for the hipster student 20-somethings who are into weird stuff like juicing, quinoa and chia seeds. Not that that is a bad thing, I myself fall into that category but I want to make it clear that healthy living is for everyone. Healthy living all starts with making, smart, informed healthy choices - choices that anyone can (should) make.

Healthy living also goes far beyond food. I always tell people that healthy living is not a diet but a lifestyle. You can't just turn it on for a week or two when you want to improve something then turn it off again once you think you're better - the body just doesn't work that way. The poorer job you do at taking care of yourself, the less healthy you will be. Simple.

Something I'd like to introduce today as a healthy choice is body brushing. So trendy and hipster, I know. But again, not just for those weirdos who drink that weird green juice stuff and swear that putting food on their faces works (by the way, it does). There are numerous articles on body brushing claiming many miraculous things like reducing/eliminating cellulite, clearing and pulling toxins out, preventing stretch marks and toning muscles. Are they all true? I don't think so. I'm still researching but I haven't yet found convincing studies backing up all such claims.

That aside though, the reason why I'm all for body brushing is for the practical reasons. A good, stiff natural bristle brush used on skin will act as a fantastic exfoliant. Exfoliating the skin encourages blood circulation and clears away dead skin cells and cleans up clogged pores which will help with the skin's normal oil production, leading to smoother, healthier, glowing skin. If your legs are looking a little dry and rough and you want smooth, glowing pins for summer, start body brushing.

Body brushing is so easy and all you need is a few minutes to do your entire body. 5-10 minutes of your life, tops. The only thing stopping you now is laziness. The brushes are also pretty inexpensive. I recommend natural ones. I got mine, that long handled bamboo brush, at Whole Foods for about $9 USD or so. You can get them for more or less elsewhere. Try Amazon. To start, you can either brush on dry skin or damp right out of the shower. Some swear that it works best when your skin is soft and damp and the pores are open from the hot water, but others swear the other way too. Take your pick. I personally think it's a good idea to brush before showering, that way you can wash away all the dead skin you've just exfoliated. Then, you take your brush and use a circular motion as you brush (gently) or brush with upward strokes in each section 3+ times. That's it. If you're not showering afterwards, I recommend moisturizing once you're done as your skin will likely be needing some extra moisture after its cleansing.

Living a healthy lifestyle is all in the mindset and choices you make, be it about food, medicine, or how you treat the external. Skin is our largest organ. Taking care of not only what we put in our bodies but how we treat the outside has a huge impact on personal health. Take care of yourself; the only type of person you have to be to make healthy decisions, is willing.

Do you body brush? Will you?


12 comments:

  1. I just heard about brushing for the first time the other day. I agree about the probably not a miracle worker statement but I'm not sure why we buy expensive exfoliating scrubs when there is something as simple as this that we can do.

    http://interiorimpact.blogspot.com/

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    1. For sure. And those exfoliating scrubs are so easy to make yourself as well for a fraction of the price.

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  2. I do this too, LOVE, LOVE IT. So healing.

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  3. I don't use a brush, but an exfoliation mitten. I mostly brush my legs to keep them smooth, but I was actually contemplating brushing my back. I'd need something with a longer handle then, because I'm not that flexible! X Jane

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    1. Definitely shop around online a bit, I'm sure there are extra long handled ones. I've also seen these brushes on a towel-type deal for the back, so you just briskly brush it back and forth with both hands like a regular towel. That might work well.

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  4. I have one I just haven't used it because currently I am using the gloves. I might try it though ! Thanks
    Eb x
    Thefearlessfox.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. You know how Life presents little nudge through repetition to capture our attention? Your article on dry brushing is another in a series of such nudges I've been running across in the last little while. I have read for years about the benefits of dry brushing, and have always thought, "Oh, I should do that soon", yet I get distracted and forget about it until the next nudge hits my personal horizon. I did try it for a while, years ago, but the brush I used was way too soft with bristles that were to flexible to provide the proper friction and stimulation. That's one of the reasons I keep holding off, because you can't touch bristles to test their tension when you shop online. Where I live, I have yet to find any local stores that carry the right type of body brush for this purpose, but I will begin to consciously source something soon. All these nudges indicate it's definitely something that I should engage.

    You have a new follower, by the way! :)

    - Dawn

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  6. I totally know what you mean! Definitely start searching again, it's so wonderful for the skin. Online shopping is hard for that, but checking reviews can be helpful. And I'm so glad you followed back, I adore your blog! :)

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  7. I've been hearing a lot of good things about dry brushing lately, but have yet to try it. Also, I'm interested in reading some more posts in your "healthy choice" series. :)
    (x)

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    1. Oh good! I will definitely be posting more on this. :)

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  8. I don't use body brush, I scrub with my hands.. but I'm sold.. I'm definitely gonna hunt down a body brush now!!

    LilynotLouise | Beauty and Food

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  9. i heard about this from a friend, i really need to try it! they seem to love it!


    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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