The Bedroom: Treating Cellulite While You Sleep

Aside from getting adequate sleep each night, the cellulite treatments we’ve uncovered in the bedroom are not widely known. Did you know your sleeping environment can help regulate your hormones, an important aspect of cellulite recovery? Did you know that what you choose to wear to bed can increase the number of dimples on your thighs?
Read on to learn more about these little-known cellulite secrets.

Giving In to Sleep

We cannot talk about treating cellulite from the bedroom without starting with a discussion on sleep. Getting an adequate amount of sleep each night is one of the most important gifts you can give your body.
Here at The Cellulite Investigation, we approach cellulite treatments from a holistic perspective. That means all the functions of the body are seen as interconnected and the self is treated as a whole. We also recognize the body’s ability to heal itself, given the right resources. Adequate sleep is one such resource.
In our fast-paced culture, we tend to view excess sleep as a sign of laziness or, at best, a luxury we cannot afford. Try beginning your anti cellulite strategy by giving your body all the sleep it desires. Then trust it to use the time wisely. As your efforts start to show results, you will feel more energy to do other things. Until then, be gentle with yourself and give in to your body’s requests for sleep. Doctor’s orders.

The Hidden Benefit of Sleeping in Darkness

I’m still in the investigating stages with this next treatment option, but it is so potentially revolutionizing that I have to share it here. In Lunaception: A Feminine Odyssey into Fertility and Contraception, Louise Lacey asserts that the human menstrual cycle naturally responds to the light and dark of the lunar rhythm. She explains how light is a powerful regulator throughout the animal kingdom, and persuasively argues that humans are no different.
In her book (which you can download for $10 from Lunaception.net), Louise explains how she and 28 of her friends successfully regulated their menstrual cycles by using specific night lighting techniques to induce ovulation.
Prior to reading about the Lunaception theory, I was sleeping in total darkness as Louise prescribes. After charting my cycle next to the lunar phases, I am amazed how frequently my cycle corresponds with the moon. Judging from the comments section of that post, I am not the only one to notice this “coincidence.” I continue to document my experience with Lunaception at The Cellulite Investigation blog. Come join me!

Are Your Clothes Cellulite-Friendly?

In his book The Cellulite Cure, Dr. Lionel Bissoon asserts that conventional underwear –the kind with elastic around the legs –is a major factor in the modern cellulite epidemic. Learn more about his underwear theory of cellulite here. Dr. Bissoon insists all his patients switch to thongs because they don’t restrict lymphatic flow across the legs the way traditional underwear does.
If you’re concerned about finding a thong that is comfortable, try the Hanky Panky thong sold at HerRoom.com and other lingerie retailers. I ordered a pair to review for our investigation and now they’ve taken over my entire underwear drawer.
Dr. Bissoon is particularly adamant about garments worn to bed since the lymphatic system is highly active during sleep. This is why you should never wear a bra to bed as the armpit region near the breasts is an important area for lymph drainage. In fact, Dr. Bissoon recommends taking the underwear theory of cellulite one step further at night and sleeping in the nude if you can get away with it. (I imagine Dr. Bissoon is popular with the husbands.)

Aromatherapy: The Scent of Renewal

In Ayurveda, the ancient healthcare tradition of India, the nose is the gateway to the brain –every scent we inhale exerts a primal influence on the mind and emotions. Pratima Raichur explains the importance of aromatherapy in the Ayurvedic tradition in her book, Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda.
According to Ms. Raichur, pure essential oils contain hundreds –sometimes thousands –of biochemical components, many of which have yet to be isolated or even identified in the laboratory. The plants from which the oils are made each have a subtle yet powerful influence on the human body. To approach cellulite from an aromatherapy angle, choose an essential oil that appeals to you and place it in a diffuser or a vaporizer by your bed.
Please note: Certain oils are particularly effective at treating cellulite while others should be avoided by women who are pregnant or have certain health conditions. A little research beforehand is recommended.

Massage for Cellulite Reduction

If you are fortunate enough to have a willing partner, the bedroom is the ideal place for regular massage sessions. Just like with the sense of smell mentioned above, the sense of touch is an important component of the Ayurvedic approach to health. The health benefits of massage are not lost on Western medicine where it is frequently cited as an effective way to increase circulation and relieve stress.
To increase the anti cellulite benefits of massage, create your own blend of cellulite-fighting massage oil. Start with a base of sweet almond, jojoba, or coconut oil. Add in a few drops of rosemary, orange, cypress, or another essential oil known to stimulate lymphatic flow.
Who knew fighting cellulite could be so luxurious?