Dry Brushing for Self-care

Have you noticed the new movement of Self-care?  I didn’t realize the impact of this trend until I attended a Charity Event for the What about our Daughters a few weeks ago. It was a Kid’s Konference, and it was an excellent opportunity for K-8 Children to learn about Wellness.  In one of the workshops for the older girls, they created Vision Boards and the presenter shared with the group of tween girls the importance of self-care.

At first, I thought “they’re children why do they need self-care?  But let’s face it. Children aren’t the same children that we were growing up.  They have more roles, responsibilities, the bar is much higher, and we are creating a generation of anxious children.  We had to cut back on the extracurriculars, school clubs and friend dates for my daughter. She was overscheduled, stimulated and beginning to show high anxiety.  Taking time to step back from this busy world and fill yourself is essential at any age.

What is the definition of self-care?

Self-care on Social Media from my perspective looks like bubble baths, hair trips and getting your nails done.  Some may throw in a massage (raises hands), but self-care doesn’t have to cost any money. We can rest and restore ourselves daily and take precautions and set up boundaries, so we don’t fall into anxiety.

According to the Oxford dictionary: “Self-care is The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. Or, The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.”

There are some obvious ways we can care for ourselves daily.

1. Eat whole foods.

I had a guest blogger Dr. Angela Clack share the importance of food and anxiety.  What we eat has everything to do with how we feel. Making better food choices can help our physical and mental health.

2. Drink more water.

I think I can include hydration in everything that involves our well-being. Being hydrated reduces stress on our body and is a  simple way to self-care.

3. Get moving.

Exercise, of course, is another way to help improve your mood, health, and care for yourself.  It does not have to be in the gym. Do you like to dance? Do it? I always tell people to do what you loved to do when you were a kid. If you loved softball guess what there is an adult league somewhere. You like to roller skate.  Go to your local skating rink? You’d be surprised how good it feels to just kick a soccer ball around at a park as you used too even if you don’t perform as you used also.

4. Connect with God.

Self-care is biblical. There are so many ways that you can connect with God. There’s studies, devotions, and the Bible a fingertip away.  Taking 5-15 minutes out of your day to pray, devote or praise can do wonders for your Spiritual, Physical and mental endurance.

Most people are searching for peace outside of themselves at one point in time I was seeking those things too. I looked to the Universe for so many years and to find out it was God the entire time.  It wasn’t until I sought God and He met me where I was done I find the peace I was craving.

5. Disconnect.

This is probably the most valuable and free self-care tip.  Disconnect and just live life for a day. I think a lot of the outside pressure we place on ourselves is because we are constantly outsiders looking into a filtered perspective we see on Social Media. When’s the last time you spent a day offline.  Social media will continue to go on without you and sorry no one will notice that you left when you spend the day present and not wishing and hoping. It’s a great way to give your brain a break. You may even need two or a few days.

6. Take 30 minutes to “Do you!”

Don’t just get physical! Get artsy, pick up an instrument, paint, draw for me sew! The more children I had the less I did the things I used to truly enjoy. I love to sew but when my middle was too busy tearing down curtains. I had to put my sewing machine away.  It’s collected dust. Last year, I reconstructed a dress for a wedding I attended. I cannot tell you how good it felt to sew again. I also love to garden and try to do that in the Spring in summer as my thing. Nothing like pulling weeds to soothe your anxieties. Doing things that I like to do is how I like to self-care.  In our Bible and Bootcamps, “Do you!” challenge. I have watched women paint beautiful pictures, write amazing poems and express themselves creatively.  It was powerful for some to take that time for themselves.

7. Body Care.

 The best thing from my ankle injury was by incorporating regular massages in my wellness routine. I am a bi-weekly regular at Cloud 9 Wellness. I never realized how my tight muscles was affecting different aspects of my body.  Recently, I discovered dry brushing! It’s something that I now do at home on my own several times a week; even daily. I have felt and seen some amazing results.

What is dry brushing?

Dry brushing is kind of like what it sounds like, you use a firm (not hard) bristle brush and exfoliate your skim. It is suggested in a circular motion making the brush strokes towards your heart.  It is a long standing practice that has been said, to “Stimulate your circulation and promote lymphatic drainage. I looked for hours to find medical research on whether or not it eliminates body toxins but there weren’t much research studies on dry brushing.  Through personal experience. I love the way my skin feels after dry brushing, it’s tingly and definitely feels “stimulated.”  I have been doing it before showering and it feels amazing. My skin has especially on my legs have visibly improved.

Prana Brush Ionic Body Brush

I have been using the Prana-brush Ionic Body Brush which is made with extra-fine ion-charged cooper bristles.  The bristles ionic charge are to create negative ions that protect your body from free radicals. This brush has unique bristles that encourage immediate absorption of negatives ions in your skin.

How do you use a dry brush?

Again, you brush your skin while dry without any cleansers, soaps and oils (including essential oils).  Its recommend showering after dry brushing to get off all the exfoliated skin.  Then apply moisturizer, lotions or oils.  It’s very simple and it takes less than five minutes to dry brush your body. There have been other benefits associated with dry brushing.  It is been suggested to relieve Eczema, decrease the looks of Stretch Marks, give your body Ionic Balance, some people have felt improved digestion, and cellulite appearance.

Does it work?

In more than one way.  If you are getting it for dry winter skin, you will be surprised to see your skins texture and look change over time.  Relatively quickly. I tested one leg over the other and look at the noticeable difference. Dry brushing helps increase the blood flow in your leg but doesn’t deplete your skin of moisture.  It’s also best to follow with a shower and moisturizer.

What kind of dry brush should I use?

If you’re like me, I get overwhelmed with too many options and you can find a lot for dry brushes.  There are a few things that you want to ensure when choosing a dry brush. Make sure to use a natural stiff-bristled dry brush.  Some bristles are stiffer than others, like almost too firm. I love the Prana Brush it is so soft on your skin. It also includes extra fine soft copper bristles.  Doesn’t feel abrasive. It also is and Ionic Bristle brushes offering negative ions to help balance your body.

How do I dry brush?

It’s simple. Always brush on dry skin using a natural bristled brush. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Begin at your feet/ankles and work my way upward in long fluid strokes on limbs and circular motions on torso and back. Make sure you strokes are upwards towards your heart. Be careful on sensitive skin like your stomach, breasts and neck, (for obvious reason) you may want to put lighter pressure in these areas.  Also, use good judgment and don’t brush over broken skin; it will only irritate and not improve your skin. From my research, you can dry brush daily to several times a week. Prana Brush recommends daily before you shower as part of your routine. It should only take you 3-5 minutes to dry brush your entire body.

When should I dry brush?

The best time to dry brush is just before a shower. Then you can wash off any dead skin cells and flaky skin. Be sure to apply lotion afterward to put moisture back into your skin. Then shower and apply moisture.

Self-care is important and one of those things that you should prioritize in your life.  I want you all to experience daily amazing showers so I have I partnered with Prana Brush to review and giveaway a Prana Brush copper brush to one of my FaithFueled Life Beauties! All you have to do is complete the giveaway below! It will end March 15, 2019, at 11:50 EST so enter as many times as you like until then!

This post is in partnership with Prana Brush. I was given the product to review and for a giveaway but that does not affect my opinion. My Full Disclosure Policy