Actors always have to deal with the fact that cold/flu season and high audition season are one and the same. Most of us have stories of having to audition when we’re sick as a dog, or worse, having to cancel a big appointment due to illness. It is very easy to get exhausted during this time of year, and our immunity can suffer. I’m going to assume that you are acquainted with many of the precautions that one should take to avoid getting sick (if you don’t know to wash your hands by now, I can’t help you). But in this column, I’m going to address another means of boosting your immunity that you may not have considered: the lymphatic system.
Lymph is a fluid that is essentially a garbage system for the body. It begins as blood plasma, and as it moves, it pulls toxins out of the blood and sends these waste products to the kidneys. Unlike the circulatory system, which has the heart working for it 24/7, the lymphatic system does not have any pump mechanism moving it around. There are only two ways to move lymph through the body: exercise and breathing. This fact alone should be inspiration to get your body moving this winter, and to become more mindful of how you’re breathing. If you don’t have a regimen of breathing exercises, please click here to learn some.
Lymph channels can get trapped by surrounding tissues, and this produces swelling. Any long-range edema that you experience could be lymph that is stuck (swollen ankles, for example). When lymph is not flowing, the body is not as efficient at fighting off infections. Luckily, we have two lymphatic ducts that can be opened up to promote more movement in the system. These ducts lie under our collarbones, and they drain vastly different areas of the body. The left duct drains the left side of the upper body/face, as well as the whole lower body. The right duct only takes care of the right sides of the upper body/face. Here’s how to get your lymph moving again:
- Take your right thumb into that little notch on top of your sternum
- Move your thumb out laterally about three inches to the left until you find a little divot under your left collarbone (your hand should be reaching across your body)
- Firmly press your thumb into this space below your clavicle
- Take several slow, deep breaths, trying to breathe into your upper chest
- As you exhale, press a little deeper with your thumb
- Repeat on the other side
As you do this, try to sense something “moving” inside. When your lymph flows better, you will find yourself to be more resistant to getting sick, and you will recover from illness faster. If you can keep yourself healthy and in the game during these winter months, you can make it to all your auditions and book some great summer work!
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