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HEALTH & WELLNESS / 24 APRIL 2025

The Wellness Edit – 5 Signs of Slow Lymphatic Drainage

Author: Rachel Chalmers

If lymphatic drainage massage and body brushing have flooded your Instagram feed as of late, you may be wondering why so many influencers, wellness gurus and doctors are suddenly interested in the once little-discussed lymphatic system. 

A component of the circulatory system, the lymphatic system is responsible for managing fluid levels in the body – through a network of delicate tubes, it drains lymph fluid that leaks from blood vessels into tissues. When the lymphatic system is disrupted due to stress, lack of movement or (counterintuitively) dehydration, tissues are left with surplus fluid – causing puffiness, bloating, or the TikTok-viral ‘cortisol face’, amongst other symptoms.

Modern lifestyles are slowing our collective lymphatic drainage, and everyone from Naomi Campbell to Hailey Beiber is taking steps to fix it. With manual lymphatic drainage and key nutrients in our recently enhanced Morning & Night Female supplement, your lymph can get back to its ideal flow.

Person dry-brushing leg with a wooden bristle brush beside Lumity Morning and Night frosted-glass jars in pink-beige box

Do you have lingering lymph?

If you’ve ever disembarked a long-haul flight only to be horrified by the size of your ankles, you’ve experienced lingering lymph, as disruption to blood and lymph flow during a flight causes buildup in the lower extremities. The same concept applies to day-to-day life – sitting for long periods at a desk or experiencing prolonged stress can lead to lymph buildup throughout the body. Here’s how to know if your lymph is lagging:

Puffiness

Puffiness and swelling, especially in the face and lower extremities, occurs when lymphatic drainage is stunted. ‘Cortisol face’, or puffiness in the face, can be a sign that stress has disrupted your lymphatic flow.

Frequent colds

As the lymphatic system ‘cleans’ the blood, slow lymphatic drainage can disrupt the body's ability to effectively clear out toxins and fight off pathogens. 

Sluggishness and fatigue

When toxins aren’t cleared by the lymphatic system, this buildup can lead to feelings of sluggishness and fatigue.

Brain fog

Difficulty concentrating, confusion and brain fog can appear when toxins aren’t effectively cleared by the lymphatic system.

Body aches and stiffness 

As fluid builds up in the extremities, this can lead to body aches, stiffness and pain.

Kick your lymphatic drainage into gear

Morning & Night supplement

Our award-winning, clinically tested Morning & Night supplement has been formulated to support whole body health, improving the way in which each system functions. Key ingredients, like the recently added Magnesium Malate, can encourage lymphatic drainage on a cellular level.

Lymphatic drainage massage

Manual lymphatic drainage can shift lymphatic fluid away from the tissues, stimulating blood and lymph flow. While professional lymphatic drainage massages can be helpful, they cost valuable time and money. We recommend regular treatment at home with our Jade Facial Roller and our Copper Body Brush, both of which can instantly reduce puffiness.

Gentle exercise

While all movement – from yoga to HIIT – can encourage blood and lymph flow, targeted exercises can help shift stubborn lymph. Speaking to Vogue, detox expert Rebecca Faria recommends hugging your knees to your chest, repeatedly raising your heels when standing, or sitting in a butterfly position to encourage lymphatic drainage.

Hydration

While consuming more fluid may seem counterproductive when treating excess fluid, dehydration can hinder regular lymphatic system function and prevent lymph from flushing out of tissues. Aim to consume between 2.5 and 3.5 litres of water (this includes all fluids like tea, coffee and green juice) per day.

Close-up hand reaching for a LUMITY tube beside frosted 'Rise & shine' and 'Goodnight' supplement bottles on marble counter

Get your hands on our enhanced Morning & Night supplement…

With a host of benefits designed to noticeably improve lymphatic drainage and whole body health, our enhanced Morning & Night supplement is unlike anything else on the market.

MEET MORNING & NIGHT

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