Restrictions we place on our bodies!

When we think of restrictions today, our minds automatically go to rules and laws. But I’m not talking about that today, I want to talk about the things no-one even thinks of as restrictions.

Let’s talk about what clothes, shoes, and accessories… say what? Yes, you read that right, what we wear affects our bodies in ways we never even give a second thought to.

Ladies let’s start with bras. Yes, wearing them protects the delicate breast tissue but squeezing them together, tight straps digging into our shoulders and back, ill fitting, wire support…OMG who hasn’t felt the effects of that?

Around 80% of women in Australia wear the wrong size bra. 80% that is HUGE!! Women are often shocked to find that they have been wearing such an ill-fitting bra for so long. If we are wearing the wrong bra size, the result is that they are not getting the right support for their breasts and this contributes to stretch marks, sagging and even back, neck and shoulder pain.

Women’s breasts change due to weight, hormones, pregnancy, menopause, and other factors. Just because you wore a size 14C ten years ago, doesn’t mean that size is right for you today. Berlei did a study in 2015 that showed the average size in Australia had gone up from 12B to 14D, so you might be surprised at the size you fit into now.

Now, this is not the only issue with restrictive bras, as if that is not enough. Think of your breathing whilst you have a tourniquet around your rib cage…how deeply do you think you are able to breathe with this constant constriction? This can be detrimental if it constricts to the point of not allowing the chest cavity to expand during breathing.

Dr Miho Jean Tanaka, director of the women's sports medicine program at Johns Hopkins University recently stated:

“Oxygen deprivation isn't something you want to mess around with. The brain and muscles rely on breathing oxygen during any type of exercise, but runners in particular should be mindful of bra fit. "Particularly during endurance type activities, our bodies have an even greater demand and [are] more reliant on our breathing to support this," says Dr Miho Jean Tanaka, noting that anything that prevents or eliminates deep breaths could cause shortness of breath or even light-headedness.

Now we need to wear bras, for sure! Not suggesting we totally throw them away or burn them?? Let’s just be mindful of wearing the correct bra for the correct job. Running or high impact cardio, I always choose high support but with no wire. Yes, I feel constricted, but with a properly fitted bra, you can keep it to the absolute minimum required.

Yoga, and gym work require less support and no wire needed. This is where your crop top type support works perfectly. Pretty and functional. If your choice is this type, I always leave in the padded support, even though I personally don't require padding, it actually offers a nice moulded base for your breasts, especially the nipple area.

Home or work, personally I have just swapped to soft cup, minimal support and feel fantastic. They slip on like a crop top, and I have never felt less restricted in my life. No hooks, no twisting and turning, just a pleasure all round. My breathing is deeper, my shoulders are less weary and my

diaphragm can expand comfortably.

Now as most of you know, I'm a huge believer in not restricting our lymphatic flow. Our lymph system is the largest component of our immune system. If we unravelled the lymph and laid it out flat it would circumnavigate the world 4 times!! Yes, four times, it's insane😱💥. One of the lymphatic systems major roles is to collect and hunt out toxins in the body and remove them. Any restrictions to the flow causes stagnation, and then illness.

Symptoms of lymphatic stagnation are many and varied. Think brain fog, skin issues, tiredness, recurring illness and inflammation.

Where are the major lymph sites, you ask? Here they are:

1. Collarbone : above and below. These are the exit points.

2. Behind the jaw line at the base of the ear. The major drains.

3. Shoulder joint and pectoral. ( Axillary)

4. Belly ( Solar plexus and belly button:sacral)

5. Groin creases (inguinal fold)

6. Behind the knee (popliteal)

   
   

Think about the lymph nodes under your arm and the shoulder joint. Now think of tight bras and wire digging into your diaphragm. How well do you think the lymph is moving through this area? Do you have an armpit or puff? Is it super hard tissue or it is soft?

This is the importance of bras that allow us the breathe and don't restrict our lymph flow. We can also kickstart our lymph every day by completing daily lymph slapping and tapping to reset our lymphatic system to optimise flow. I have a video for you here:

https://youtu.be/55e1qjbz78k

Maybe it’s time to examine your bras and see if your comfort levels could increase. Your body will thank you for it. Your lymph will love you for it. Your posture will improve. Your health and well-being will increase.

What's not to love?

Ps…don’t get me started on shoes, tight pants, and skirts. Save this for another day.