We welcome natural therapist and lymph specialist, Sam Turner, to the DIGEST. As a writer and health counsellor, Sam is passionate about unlocking human potential and facilitating meaningful change. Her mission is to help you enhance your innate ability to achieve true health and gain autonomy over your well-being. Sam explores her secret to feeling well & balanced when travelling - by prioritising lymphatic health.
Who doesn't want to craft their own life, to become a storyteller, and push the boundaries of what we experience in life? Travel is a gift, and our bodies are a gift. Here is a guide to maintaining balance on your journey and bouncing back quicker upon your return.
Our bodies are uniquely attuned to the stresses of travel and life in general, from fluctuating hormones to daily demands. Even if you’re not about to jump on a plane, this is worth a read and will give you insight and guidance into the lymphatic system as you move throughout your daily life.
What is Lymph and Why Should We Look After It?
From an Ayurvedic perspective, the lymphatic system is the first tissue of all body tissues to be formed. It determines the quality and stability of every other tissue and function in the body, including the nervous, reproductive, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, as well as the brain and neurological system. Disruption of lymphatics is the start of imbalance and the disease and illness process.
Lymphatic fluid is the clear, gel-like fluid inside and outside every cell in the body. It determines what gets into the cells and what gets out, including proteins, minerals, nutrients, hormones, oxygen, and glucose. These are vital for the functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and brain.
It’s not only about what we eat in terms of getting vital energy and eliminating metabolic wastes or ‘toxins’; we lose billions of cells daily in a process called autophagy. To build new healthy tissues, our cells are programmed to kill themselves, and that metabolic waste also has to get out. Otherwise, our own cellular waste becomes toxic to us.
Unlike the circulatory system, lymphatics don’t have a pump mechanism like the heart. Considering we have three times more lymph fluid than blood and one-third of lymph needs to get out daily, it seems pretty important to address it, right? Remember, lymph determines the quality of your blood and every other system!
General everyday stressors can wreak havoc on our bodies' most crucial system, but travel even more so. Once balance is thrown off, the snowball effect happens quickly, impacting the mind and internal balance. However, addressing the issues from the ground up can be easy, especially while travelling.
What Can Happen to the Lymphatic System While Travelling?
Dehydration:
Airplane cabin humidity levels can drop to 12%, which is lower than the average humidity of a desert! We can lose up to 1.5 litres of water for every three hours. This means we can't produce enough saliva or mucus to clean debris, compromising lymph or MALT (mucus-associated lymphoid tissue), leading to horrible breath, nose irritation, constipation, and weakened digestion.
Crazy bloat and discomfort:
Based on Boyle's law, gas pressure and volume are inversely related. In flight, as air pressure goes down, the pressure in the body expands. This affects ear pressure and throws off lymphatics as pressure in the thoracic cavity and breathing changes. Gases in the stomach expand by about 25%, causing bloat and swelling, and the expansion of gases dissolved in the synovial fluids in the joints can cause more achiness if there is existing inflammation.
Impacts on Cortisol Levels:
Cortisol, a stress hormone produced in relation to our circadian rhythm, is impacted by travel, especially across time zones. These internal chemical-stress signals disrupt brain-heart coherence, hormone production, proteins in the body, and overall lymph function.
Impacts on Cellular and Brain Function:
Higher altitudes and air pressure changes can lead to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), creating hypertension, headaches, and brain fog. Lymphatics play a crucial role in transporting oxygen where it needs to go.
Taste Bud Changes:
In flight, taste perception reduces by up to 30%, leading to overconsumption of sodium, sugar, and additives. This affects digestion and the quality of nourishment the brain receives, significantly impacting mood.
Inactivity:
Sitting still for hours on end with low oxygen, high pressure, compromised breathing, and digestion impacts lymphatics, blood flow, nerve function, and brain function.
Ways to Support Lymph Health When Travelling:
Stay Hydrated:
Drink plenty of water to keep lymph fluid moving smoothly and avoid fluids thickening. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can dehydrate you further. Try natural approaches to elevating your hydration with the Marine Coconut (Hydration) blend added to your water.
Watch Carbonated Beverages:
Gases in carbonated drinks expand at high altitudes, which can cause discomfort.
Move Regularly:
Take breaks to walk and stretch. Simple exercises like ankle circles, shoulder shrugs, muscle contraction, and relaxation help pump body fluids. Small, subtle movements can have a potent effect.
Eat Wisely:
Avoid extra salts and processed inflight meals to support lymphatic health and reduce inflammation. If needed, consider taking Triphala, a blend that helps regulate the digestive system.
Practise Deep Breathing:
Deep diaphragmatic breathing can stimulate lymphatic flow and improve oxygenation. Focus on breathing through the lower lobes of the lungs and moving the diaphragm laterally on each breath.
Lymph Self-Massage and Full Body Stimulation:
Gentle self-massage and body stimulation techniques can help maintain lymphatic flow and overall health.
By incorporating these practices into your travel routine, you can support your lymphatic health and ensure a smoother, more balanced journey.
