Your Guide to Dry Brushing

You brush your hair and teeth daily, but have you ever brushed your skin?

You have probably heard of dry brushing, and maybe you’ve wondered if it’s worth the hype. Let’s talk about exactly what dry brushing is, the benefits you can expect from a regular dry brushing routine, and how to get started.

A dry brush is a long wooden brush with soft but firm bristles for the skin. The idea behind it is to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system, an important part of the immune system that collects and transports waste throughout the bloodstream. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels that run below the skin – it’s a natural detoxifier.

By brushing the skin in a particular pattern, you can stimulate the lymphatic system to promote this natural flow and support the body’s immune system. Dry brushing also exfoliates the skin by sweeping away dead skin cells, which can improve the appearance of skin and help to smooth the appearance of cellulite. You’ll love how soft your skin feels after a regular dry brushing routine!

I always recommend dry brushing during the morning hours due to its energizing effect. (My preference is to brush before hopping in the shower.) It’s the perfect natural energy boost to kick start my day!

Wondering how to dry brush? Start at the feet or legs and begin brushing upward or in circular motions towards the heart. Use small, firm strokes, but don’t apply too much pressure. The idea is never to break the skin or cause irritation. Be gentle and experiment with the pressure that your body responds to best.

Feel free to dry brush up to five minutes each morning, and tell me how it goes! I would love to hear your thoughts about adding a dry brush to your health and wellness practice.

Intuition: Our Most Underutilized Gift

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” -Albert Einstein

I believe our intuition is an innate gift – we are born with it. For some it has been lost, pushed deep down inside, and for others it shines brightly (when we choose to listen).

When I think of all my years in New York City in my 20’s and early 30’s, that innate intuition inside me saved my life more than once. In the end, it always guided me – and I listened.

Each of us has a sense of intuition. Intuition is what has allowed us to survive as a species by protecting us from danger. It’s one’s ability to quickly collect, analyze and respond to information from all available sources without the involvement of the conscious mind.

Intuition gathers and thinks over all that outside “stuff” taken in by our senses and compares it to what’s going on inside of us. We may not even be aware of this, until our unconscious mind and body fills us in.

Intuition is how your subconscious mind communicates with your conscious mind. It allows messages from various “psychic” or “extrasensory” messages to be relayed to your conscious mind in a way that you can recognize them, and later act on them.

I have hunches. I can’t always explain why I think a certain path is the right way, but I need to trust my intuition and let it guide me to where I’m supposed to go.

It’s about Getting Back to Me. And I have my intuition to thank for that.