Quick Practices for Better Circulation and Energy
Your lymphatic system works quietly behind the scenes—helping your body clear waste, move fluid, and stay balanced. But here’s the good news: you don’t need hours of exercise or complicated routines to support it.
Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite lymph practices you can be do in just a few minutes every day to keep lymph flowing and circulation strong.
👉 Here’s why it matters:
Stagnant lymph may present as lethargy, brain fog, general malaise (you know that feeling – not ill, but also not quite ok either) or other discomforts.
Fluid often gets stuck behind clusters of lymph nodes because of inactivity or posture. You might notice this as swelling, pain, or stiffness.
Movement and breath are what help lymph flow.
A healthy lymphatic system supports your greater health!
Open the Gates (Nodes)
When you clear the nodes, you create space—a vacuum—so fluid can move freely again.
This is one of my go-to lymph-moving practices. It takes about two minutes and can be done seated or standing. I often do it first thing in the morning, in the shower, or while waiting for my morning cuppa to steep.
👉 Always work toward the heart and follow the steps in order.
Do both sides. Use your whole hand, with firm but gentle pressure: primary focus is moving the skin and fascia, not muscles. Spend about 10 seconds on each spot.
Collarbones: Stretch skin above and below your collarbones ( a gentle rubbing action towards the v notch of the sternum. Here’s where the lymph drains back into the bloodstream.
Ears: The entire head and face drain through the nodes behind your ear. Placing your fingers like a “V” at the ears (three fingers behind, index finger to the front), gently stretch skin straight down.
Neck: Continue from your ears down toward your shoulders, subtle C-movements using full hands to stimulate the flow from the waterwheel to the clavicle.
Armpits: The lymph of the arm, breast, and part of the torso drain through these nodes. Slightly raise an arm. Using alternate hand, press inward and downwards. Repeat on other side.
Cisterna Chyli: Rest the pads of your fingertips in the center of your abdomen, midway between your ribcage and belly button. Keep the rest of your hand lifted so only your fingertips make contact. With light pressure, gently guide your fingertips inward and upward.
Abdomen: You’ve got a ton of lymph nodes in your belly, both superficial and deep around the intestines. Place your fingertips near your navel and make small clockwise circles, gradually working outward. This follows the natural flow of the intestines and gently stimulates peristaltic action to keep digestion moving
Inguinals: The hip crease, where the abdomen meets the leg. The lymph from your legs, reproductive organs, and buttocks drains through these nodes. (Some women notice pea-sized nodules in this area during their cycle.) Both sides can be addressed individually or at the same time.
Knees: Rub above, behind, and just below the back of your knees ~ there are lymph nodes here too!
Shake it out: Finish by shaking it out. Bounce on the balls of your feet and shake your arms and hands.
Rebounding
Gently bouncing on a rebounder (mini trampoline) is working against gravity, pumping your calves, creating a rhythmic vertical motion to enhance the circulation of blood and lymph fluid. For today, that’s our focus 🌟
Concerned about stability or strength? Most rebounders come with a handle bar and your feet do not have to leave the mat.
How many bounces? Start slow and easy ~ maybe begin with 10 or 30 or 50 movements ~ or set the timer for 1 minute.
Legs Up the Wall
This one is fast, easy, and so effective—especially if your legs feel heavy, tired, or swollen.
How to do it:
Lay on the floor with your hips near a wall.
Scoot your butt close and rest your legs straight up against the wall.
No wall? Rest your legs on a chair instead.
Support your lower back with a cushion if needed.
Place your hands on your belly or by your sides.
Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and let gravity help the fluid move back toward your heart. As you breathe slowly, you’ll also activate deep abdominal lymph nodes and calm the nervous system.
Action Step
There are so many ways to care for your lymphatic system, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Start small.
✔️ Pick one of these three practices today.
✔️ Aim to spend 3–5 minutes each hour moving, stretching, or hydrating.
✔️ Remember ~ progress, not perfection.
Celebrate your body’s natural rhythm with a vibrant lymphatic system.
Lymphatically yours,
~ Barb