The downside of toxicity and inflammation, how to jumpstart your lymphatic system, and be useful instead of chasing happiness.
Last week, we discussed the many endogenous mechanisms and pathways inside the body that respond positively to small amounts of calculated, strategic stress, or “hormetic responses”. As a result, I urged you to pursue more small amounts of discomfort on a daily basis.
This week we’re going to shift our focus to detoxification, and the importance of daily “detox” practices to help aid our body in its own cellular detoxification efforts.
Much like the positive hormetic responses our body goes through when exposed to small amounts of stress from things like extreme cold, extreme heat, fasting, and exercise are endogenous (built in), so is the cellular detoxification process.
We poop, we pee, and we sweat; all natural mechanisms of action of ridding the body of toxic elements that can wreak havoc on our immune system, energy, metabolism, and overall health in general.
Much like how we need to now expose ourselves to frequent, small amounts of strategic stress because our modern world and the jobs we work don’t typically give us this exposure, high levels of toxicity is now a feature of our modern environment, and thus, we need to do what we can to aid our body in its own, natural detoxification processes on a daily basis.
Why do we need to detox?
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you generally know that increased toxicity inside the body is bad, but do you know why?
To understand more about the necessity for what I would call “daily maintenance detoxification”, you need to understand more about the inflammatory response and how it works in the body.
Inflammation is the body’s built-in defense system, but it becomes problematic when triggered chronically, especially by rising levels of internal “toxicity.” These toxins can come from processed foods, environmental chemicals from the products we use to the air we breathe, poor sleep, or even metabolic byproducts.
When the body detects these stressors, the immune system activates and releases pro-inflammatory signaling molecules like cytokines. This is meant to protect and repair, but when the exposure is constant, the response never fully shuts off.
A Quick Aside on the Immune System & Inflammation:
The immune system is triggered by, and thus, engages in the presence of inflammation, as those aforementioned pro-inflammatory cytokines are actually signaling agents that something in the body needs healing.
Think about when you sprain an ankle, It swells with inflammation. This inflammation is signaling to the immune system that it needs to go to work and heal this acute injury.
When you have a fever and/or body aches from illness, this is inflammation signaling to the immune system that it needs to help restore homeostasis and nip that virus in the bud.
Once healing is taking place, there is no longer a need to signal to the immune system, and thus, inflammation naturally dissipates.
So in reality, acute inflammation in a real time of need is all part of the healing process, and this is actually why we have a built in pro-inflammatory response.
The real problem is when things enter our body that are foreign, like toxic elements, that engage the inflammatory response, and thus immune system, but don’t actually need acute healing.
An immune system in “attack mode” when there is nothing to actually heal, is not good, and over time it ill-trains your immune system, and this is where auto-immunity comes from like cancer, neurological conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and so much more.
And that’s all on top of other daily issues with increased systemic inflammation like brain fog, lack of energy, joint pain, a weakened immune system, and a slower metabolism.
Okay, back to inflammation and toxicity.
Over time, this low-grade, chronic inflammation can begin to damage healthy tissues. The gut lining may become more permeable, leading to leaky gut, allowing unwanted particles into the bloodstream and further amplifying immune activation.
Cells experience oxidative stress, mitochondria become less efficient, and hormonal signaling can be disrupted.
This creates a cascade where the body is stuck in a defensive state rather than a regenerative one.
So, with increased levels of toxicity in the body, which admittedly, is difficult to avoid in this modern world, the likelihood that you are spending all, or most of your days with increased levels of systemic inflammation, and thus, an engaged system, is also more likely.
As discussed above, the long-term effects of this can be widespread: fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and increased risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and autoimmune conditions.
In essence, what starts as a protective mechanism turns into a self-perpetuating cycle. Reducing toxic load and supporting detoxification pathways is key to restoring balance and allowing inflammation to return to its proper, short-term role.
As a result of the highly toxic environment we live in, it’s important to be both cognizant of, and take daily measures to help promote homeostasis in your cells.
Now that we’ve fully unpacked the relationship between higher levels of cellular toxicity and how it impacts our health, I will spend the next couple weeks providing some practical tips and hacks to help you keep up with and aid your body in its detoxification efforts on a daily basis.
Healthy detoxification begins with the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that helps clear waste, toxins, and excess fluid from tissues. It circulates lymphatic fluid containing immune cells throughout the body, filtering it through lymph nodes where pathogens and debris are neutralized.
Unlike the bloodstream, it relies on movement (like muscle contractions and breathing) to flow. By removing cellular waste and supporting immune defense, the lymphatic system plays a key role in the body’s natural detoxification processes.
Rebounding
The simple act of jumping on a small trampoline is called “rebounding”, its benefits have even been researched by NASA, and it’s been shown to be the form of exercise that burns the most calories.
This may sound a little too literal, but “rebounding” jumpstarts your body in a way no other form of movement does, due to the acceleration (jumping up) and deceleration (landing on and the trampoline absorbing your downward movement) of the movement.
A couple minutes of “rebounding” to start your day is probably the best thing you can do jumpstart your lymphatic system, and the benefits beyond that include:
- Improved immune system function
- Helps you burn more calories
- Improves recovery from other exercise
- Improves oxygen circulation throughout the body
Rebounding is great for you anytime of day, and can be done multiple times per day to keep your metabolism and energy levels high, however, I find it’s best when done right away in the AM upon waking to really get all those systems moving and functioning properly.
I do about 2-3 minutes every morning as indicated above. Ideally get outside and do it, as the natural light exposure and change in temperature (whether it’s hot or cold) from the ambient temperature of your house, further helps jumpstart the body, thus compounding the benefits of rebounding.
PRO TIP: If you can, on days with sun, watch the sun as it rises while you rebound. As discussed above, the immediate exposure of natural sunlight for your eyes kickstarts a lot of positive hormonal and endogenous chemical processes in the body that give us more natural energy, boosts metabolism, and helps you sleep better at night by effectively setting your Circadian Rhythm.
So how do you get started “rebounding”?
- Buy a small exercise trampoline just like the ones that were popularized in the 80s (guess they were actually on to something)
- Jump on it.
That’s it. You’re officially “rebounding” in two easy steps.
To watch a quick video on “rebounding and lymphatic drainage” CLICK HERE.
I got this trampoline from ONETWOFIT on Amazon, and it’s absolutely perfect for use as a “rebounder”. I highly recommend!
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is a simple, low-cost practice that supports the lymphatic system by encouraging the movement of lymph fluid just beneath the skin.
Because the lymphatic system lacks a central pump like the heart, it relies on external stimulation such as muscle movement, breathing, and manual techniques to circulate fluid.
Using a firm, natural-bristle brush in upward strokes toward the heart can gently stimulate lymph vessels, helping move stagnant fluid toward lymph nodes where waste and toxins are filtered.
This mechanical stimulation may also increase local blood flow and activate the skin, which is one of the body’s largest detoxification organs. By promoting circulation and mild exfoliation, dry brushing can support the removal of cellular waste while improving skin texture and tone. You may also report reduced puffiness and a feeling of lightness after consistent practice.
Weight Training
As mentioned above, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a central pump like the heart, so it depends heavily on movement, especially muscle contractions, to circulate lymph fluid.
When you lift weights, your muscles repeatedly contract and relax, compressing nearby lymph vessels. This creates a pumping effect that pushes lymph fluid forward through one-way valves, preventing stagnation and encouraging efficient drainage.
Also discussed above, when lymphatic fluid moves, it passes through lymph nodes where immune cells filter out waste, toxins, and pathogens. Resistance training amplifies this process by increasing both the intensity and frequency of these contractions, essentially accelerating lymph flow compared to being sedentary. Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses are particularly effective because they engage large muscle groups, stimulating more widespread lymphatic circulation.
Stop chasing happiness, instead, be useful.
Stop chasing happiness like it’s something to catch, and focus that energy on being someone who contributes.
Happiness is fleeting when pursued directly, and it can slip through your fingers the moment you think you’ve grasped it.
Usefulness anchors you.
When you focus on serving others, solving problems, and adding value, you create meaning beyond yourself.
That meaning compounds into fulfillment, purpose, and ironically, the very happiness you are chasing.
Joy becomes a byproduct, not the goal.
Be the person who shows up, gives more than they take, and leaves things better.
Happiness will find you.
