Your lymphatic system works much like your circulatory system. Instead of delivering blood to the body, the lymphatic system keeps things in balance for your immune system and prevents various illnesses.

Because it doesn’t have a central organ to keep things flowing, there are several ways to prioritize stimulating the lymphatic system for your best health.

These tips will help you support the lymphatic system so you can reap the benefits.

Engage in lymphatic massage

The lymphatic system requires the movement of smooth muscles to move fluids through lymph vessels. Any massage will help, especially with a professional therapist trained in decongestive lymphatic therapy. However, there are strategies you can do yourself, like dry brushing or using a jade roller to get things moving.

Drink your water

Water helps flush out the lymphatic system. Since it’s necessary for your overall health anyway, make sure you’re drinking it regularly.

Engage in deep breathing

Our stressful lives have us taking more shallow breaths than breathing deeply. Center your focus so that you aim to breathe deeply for your lymphatic system. Yoga and meditation are great ways to do this. Your lymphatic system will benefit even if you stop for a few moments each day to engage in deep breathing practices.

Submerge yourself in water too

Being in water – hot or cold – can also help you engage that lymphatic system. Steaming your skin with water stimulates capillaries which open up and release toxins. Head to the sauna, or simply let the steam from your shower help you out. When you alternate between hot and cold water, it also helps this type of circulation.

Try apple cider vinegar

The naturally acidic nature of apple cider vinegar can bind toxins that can help you get them out of the body. Apple cider vinegar also contains potassium that can clear mucus away and refresh your lymph nodes. A great way to try it is by making your own salad dressing using apple cider vinegar as the base.

Add cardio workouts to your routine

You likely know that cardio is excellent for your cardiovascular health. A cardio workout brings on more sweat which can help you drain your lymphatic system.

Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of Zumba; simply jumping up and down on a rebounder provides a fun and effective cardio workout that can help your lymphatic system drain effectively.

Eat healthy, fibrous foods

Finally, one of the best tips to help you support the lymphatic system is to eat foods full of fiber. This will help get toxins out of your digestive system — things like berries (especially cranberries), citrus fruits, leafy greens, and seeds are the most beneficial to include in your diet.

Try these tips to support your lymphatic health and see how you feel better.

Every day, your lymphatic system works to keep your body healthy. A properly functioning lymphatic system helps clear toxins away, removing waste from our tissues and out of the bloodstream.

Thankfully, you don’t have to do much to help your lymphatic system keep you healthy and your immunity strong.

Here are seven things you can do to focus on your lymphatic system for your best health.

1. Jump around

Whether that’s jumping jacks or your rebounder, take a few minutes and jump up and down. This helps moves things through your lymphatic system and stimulates the circulatory system too.

2. Drink up

One of the biggest causes of lymphatic congestion is not getting enough water. Fill up your cup and keep it coming. Even better, adding lemon to the water will boost this system further.

3. Enjoy a massage

Activating your lymphatic system can be as enjoyable as getting a massage. However, a lymphatic massage is what you’re after here. It helps push stagnant lymph into circulation to clear toxins and lessen the burden on your systems. You can try it yourself with circular, rhythmic motions to help stimulate this essential system.

4. Eat more herbs

Certain herbs are outstanding for assisting lymphatic flow or clearing toxins away. Red clover is one of the most popular to increase lymphatic flow and detoxify while reducing inflammation. Manjistha helps with stagnate lymph, detoxifying tissues, and allowing lymph flow. Be sure you talk with your doctor before starting any new herbs or supplements.

5. Use dry brushing methods

In Ayurvedic practices, dry brushing is very common for boosting circulation and lymphatic flow. It also serves to remove dead skin cells and open up pores, a nice bonus for fresh and glowing skin.

6. Add more raw foods

Raw foods are filled with naturally-occurring enzymes that help destroy toxic buildup. Raw fruits and vegetables support your body’s lymphatic system and elevate your water stores in the body. Since raw foods are mostly alkaline, they neutralize many pathogens that take some of the system’s burden.

7. Try yoga

This should be all the motivation you need to give yoga a try once and for all. Inversion moves help through all these peaceful twists and turns, and it helps to get the lymphatic system moving and helps you feel healthier in general.

The lymphatic system is essential to our overall health, and doing these small things to boost its effectiveness is a simple way to encourage a healthy, strong body.