Rebounding is referred to as exercising using a small personal trampoline. There are lots of exercise videos and even group classes based on rebounding. It might sound like an activity more suited for kids but let me explain why you might want to give it a try especially if you are interested in a strong immune system. That pretty much narrows it down to everyone. We all are or should be interested in a strong immune system.
Rebounders are rather compact and you can use them to work just about every major muscle group in the body. Think of it as the low impact, slightly easier version of jump rope. It challenges your balance while working your legs, back, and abs. It also helps build bone density which makes it ideal for all fitness levels including anyone recovering from an injury or at risk for osteoporosis.
Fast Fact: Rebounding is one of the best ways to flush the lymphatic system and improve immunity.
Another wonderful benefit of rebounding is that it drastically improves the lymphatic system. This system is responsible for your immune health and general well-being. The stronger our immune system is the less likely we are to get sick and if we do get sick the body recovers more quickly. The immune system also wards off more serious related ailments such as Alsheimer’s disease, cancer, and lymphedema. Some symptoms of a slow or unhealthy lymphatic system include:
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- Fatigue
- Puffy face
- Headache
- Swollen glands
- Sinus infections
- Bloating
- Excess belly fat
- Constipation
- Swollen finbgers or ankles
- Dry or itchy skin
- Frequent colds or flus
The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is a team of organs, vessels, nodes, and tube-like networks that are responsible for draining and filtering waste, toxins, viruses, bacteria, and harmful cells. Waste fluid is secreted by arteries and picked up by the lymphatic system. It is moved through the tube-like network and filtered through main node points. It is here that T-cells attack and kill any harmful substances as the fluid continues to flow through the body. Toxins and waste are brought to either the organs or expelled through the skin. The lymphatic system is constantly working and moving throughout the body.
We need the lymphatic system to be strong and healthy, to prevent sickness and more serious health problems such as cancer. Issues arise when the system is slowed down, blocked or otherwise restricted. Unlike blood, there is no pumping system to push lymphatic fluid through the body. The lymphatic system solely relies on muscle movement and stimulation to push fluid through. Several elements can cause a slowed system including:
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- Tight clothing
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Inactivity
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Hormone imbalances
- Bad digestion
- Heavy metal or Toxin exposure
It only takes a combination of a few factors to slow down and weaken the system. This is why it is imperative that we pay attention to risk factors and proactively support healthy function. Reduce and manage as many risk factors as possible and incorporate physical activities that will strengthen the system and promote healthy fluid circulation.
The Role of Rebounding
Rebounding is one of the top ways you can flush out your entire lymphatic system to clear away any buildup or sluggish circulation. The gravitational force of bounding up and down forces vessels to open and releases fluid. It also speeds up your heart rate which increases blood circulation and helps the lymphatic fluid to move through the body.
The gravitational force of rebounding activates all cells within the body and boosts immune cell response by 5 times. The cells that are responsible for attacking viruses, bacteria, and toxins are stimulated by this force and immediately become engaged when rebounding.
The benefits of a strong lymphatic system are important for overall health and well-being. By incorporating a regular rebounding routine you will eliminate fluid retention, reduce common colds, improve digestion, boost energy levels, and help prevent more serious problems such as cancer. The effects of rebounding are instant but you need to be consistent for the benefits to last and for the body to acclimate.
Getting Started
If you have extremely limited time then 2 minutes of rebounding first thing in the morning is the most beneficial way to do a quick system flush. If you have a bit more time to spare try rebounding 5-15 minutes each morning prior to eating. Also, be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing so that you aren’t restricting the flow of lymphatic fluid. Most models offer a removable handlebar for additional support and whole-body training sessions. This one gets the best reviews.
Start off by doing basic vertical jumps to get your body warmed up and to also ensure that you are centered and balanced. Once you feel more comfortable, you can add twists from side to side, bounce on one leg at a time, kick your heels toward your butt or incorporate arm movements with your bouncing. Start to get creative and learn which moves challenge you the most and which are the most fun. You can really just relax and enjoy yourself all while you are giving your immune system a huge boost.
Final Thoughts
Rebounding is actually one of the most fun and carefree ways to help your body maintain a strong immune system and lymphatic drainage. You will burn fat, increase muscle mass, and improved bone density while rebounding. There are a ton of different exercises that you can do on a rebounder and incorporating a set of dumbbells ensures you target your upper body as well.