Jump your troubles away…

Hi all!

I just bought a mini trampoline. The main reason I bought it was to help stimulate and improve lymphatic drainage. I started doing a bit more research on it and am blown away at the positive effects it can have on our body and overall health.

Let’s start with the basics (and what I was already aware of):

What is the lymphatic system?

According to LiveScience.com, the Lymphatic system is “a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.” (Please feel free to go here to learn more about it.)

My knowledge on lymph nodes, the lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage was not vast. I knew lymph nodes can get inflamed when your sick (thanks, strep). I knew that putting deodorant containing aluminum on your armpits – close to the lymph nodes in your breasts – can be correlated with cancer. And I knew that lymphatic drainage is important for cancer patients. I’m not a doctor – my knowledge on this does not go very deep.

However, I’ve had a recent issue with my fingertips. I was finding if I held a utensil or held down a button for a while, the indentation would stay on my fingertip for an extended amount of time. I was aware that usually if your skin doesn’t bounce back quickly, it points to dehydration. But I do my best to drink 8 glasses of water a day and I try to keep track of it. So, dehydration was not an option for me. I did a quick Google search and landed on a term called “Lymphedema.”

Lymphedema is defined as “a chronic swelling that happens when lymph fluid is not moving well, and protein-rich fluid accumulates in the tissues.” Again, I’ll reiterate, I am NOT a doctor. And for the record, I did not GO to the doctor for this. But reading a little bit about lymphatic drainage and the connection to indentation on my fingers was all I needed to decide to buy a mini trampoline. What could it hurt?

I’ve had it only a few days now, and I’m jumping about 10 minutes a day. Just regular jumping – some footwork variation, and jumping jacks, but mostly just the normal up and down. (I can’t lie – 10 minutes is a LONG time on a trampoline, and you WILL feel it after!) I decided to do a little more research in how a trampoline can benefit your health – aside from the lymphatic drainage – and WOW! I am thoroughly impressed. And that is why I needed to share it here.

I will describe the top benefits I’ve found (although I am certain there are more!) and then I will cite the sources at the bottom of this post, in case you want to do your own/more research.

24 Mini Trampoline/Rebounder Benefits:

Increase in bone density and prevention of osteoporosis (skeletal system strengthening) – “Bones are made of living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Rebounding produces up to 2-3 times vertical gravitation, which can serve as strengthening resistance for our bones. But unlike most forms of weight-bearing exercise, rebounding is very low impact, so it’s gentler on joints, cartilage, and vertebrae.”
Increasing cell strength + improving cell energy/mitochondrial function – “…using a trampoline may increase your mitochondrial biogenesis, or the increase in mass of mitochondria in your cells. This increases your resistance to fatigue and improves your health. Exercise may also increase your mitochondrial biogenesis in your brain, reducing your risk for fatigue and dementia.”
Detoxification – “As blood flows in the body the lymphatic fluid leaks out of the blood vessels into the body tissues. This fluid carries food to the cells and bathes the body tissues to form tissues fluid. The fluid then collects waste products, bacteria, and damaged cells. For detoxification, rebound for at least 15 min daily.”
Enhancing lymphatic drainage – “Unlike the circulatory system which has a heart to pump blood throughout the body, the lymphatic system does not have a pump and depends on body movements to circulate. Because the lymphatic fluid flows in an upward direction, the vertical movements of jumping on the trampoline are more effective in pumping lymph fluid, than horizontal motion exercises such as walking and running. Thus, regular rebounding facilitates body detoxification to maintain a highly functioning and youthful body.”
Immune system support – “Your lymphatic system supports your immune system and transports immune cells through your body. Jumping increases the force of gravity and has an impact on your immune system, speeding the development of T-lymphocyte motility.” & “Rebounding causes the valves in the lymphatic system to open and close simultaneously increasing lymph flow as much as 15 times.”
Improving digestion and gut health – “…the rhythmic up-down motion stimulates the contraction and relaxation of muscles that make up the digestive tract. Improved digestive peristalsis means the body is able to process and absorb nutrients more efficiently. This will help address nutritional deficiencies which are so prevalent among people with compromised digestive systems. When the body receives the nutrients it needs, it would have the necessary materials for self healing and rejuvenation. Moreover, activated peristaltic waves in the intestines allow food to pass through more quickly and wastes to be released, eliminating constipation.”
Improving posture and balance – “To accommodate these unexpected movements, your body must find its center of gravity and “re-balance” before landing again. With practice, you become better at maintaining your equilibrium despite unexpected movement patterns, and also more adept at predicting your body’s movements based on how you land, enabling you to recover faster. In essence, your balance and coordination improve.”
Strengthens eye muscles – “Jumping on the trampoline also helps strengthen your ocular nerves and eye muscles due to the effects of increased G-force on every part of the body…we can combat weak eyesight by regular rebounding. Eyes are semi-muscular organs that must be exercised like any other muscle in the body. Without exercise, the eye lenses can get out of shape just like the other parts of our body. Rebounding helps to stimulate the cells of the eye lenses to restore their original shape and function.”
Increased oxygen flow – “Jumping helps circulate oxygen throughout the body to increase energy. A highly oxygenated body is inhospitable to disease germs and rogue cells, which are anaerobic, meaning they cannot survive in a highly oxygenated environment. Regular jumping on the trampoline energies your body and increases its resistance against colds, flus and other diseases.”
Weight loss – “…reduces fat and improves muscle-to-fat ratio.”
Improvement in mental health and capacity – “Activity pumps oxygen-rich blood to your brain that helps improve your mental outlook on life and improves your creativity.”
Reduction/prevention of cellulite – “Rebounding on a trampoline is like pumping your body. Pumping your body on the trampoline have some positive effects on the thyroid gland. Rebounding helps stimulate the thyroid gland to start cleaning itself and the entire lymphatic system of stored fat, also in this case the targeted fat is cellulite.”
Whole body exercise – “…improves muscle tone throughout the body.”
Less impact on joints – “…unlike other forms of cardiovascular fitness such as jogging – where the impact of making contact with the ground can lead to bone and joint injuries of the ankles, knees, and hips – trampolining is less likely to generate these types of impact-based injuries.”
Improve cardiovascular system & increase blood circulation – “The same way rebounding helps the lymphatic system circulation, it also helps in blood circulation and hence improves the cardiovascular system. Rebounding also reduces blood pooling in the veins to prevent chronic edema.”
Reduce/combat varicose veins – “Frequent rebounding increases circulation of blood flow. This can greatly reduce the pressure that your veins have to endure and eliminate the inflammation and the pain that comes with varicose veins.”
Help in preventing/eliminating cancer – “Rebounding helps in improved circulation of the lymphatic fluid which help to destroy cancerous cells in the body. As the fluid collects waste products, bacteria and damaged cells, it also collects damaged cancerous cells if [they] are present in the body and drains it in the lymphatic vessels.”
Truncate fatigue and menstrual discomfort in women which occurs due to hormonal imbalances – “It detoxifies excess hormones and toxins which is key to a healthy endocrine system. So, if you are one of the many women who suffer due to hormonal imbalance, I strongly recommend rebounding to help solve your problem.”
Metabolism boost – “Your metabolic rate remains elevated for up to 24 hours after you get off your trampoline.”
Lowering stress – “Light bouncing can help increase blood flow to underused muscles and loosen and release overused ones, plus it helps the body release endorphins (your brain’s natural calming aid, they make us feel good).”
Strengthen pelvic floor – “…rebounding had a very positive impact on re-building healthy tone in my pelvic floor and core after I had my babies. I’ve also found that many of my clients have had similar results—activating and toning the pelvic floor muscles with 15 to 20 minutes of bouncing a day.”
Improves effects of other exercise as well – “…one study found that those who rebounded for 30 seconds between weight lifting sets saw 25% more improvement after 12 weeks than those who did not.”
Inexpensive and not time consuming – no pricey gym membership, and only 5-25 minutes a day (all at once or taken in bite-sized pieces!)
It’s FUN!! – “When something is fun, you’re more likely to do it. I find 15 to 20 minutes of rebounding is a great way to…bounce away the troubles and issues of the day. Within a few minutes, I feel like my three-year-old self back on that trampoline.”

In closing, let me say, as with anything (diet, habits, exercise, etc.), it only works if you work it. And CONSISTENCY is key. A measly 10-15 minutes a day of jumping (which, by the way, is super fun and I totally look forward to!) is such a small sacrifice for the extensive benefits you can experience. Plus, you can do it while watching TV or listening to music or a podcast. Make it fun, make it yours!

References:

Link to trampoline I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/Stamina-Trampoline-Workouts-Included-Supports/dp/B000JC2ZHA

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