Navigating the Holidays with Lymphoedema

Your Gentle Guide to a More Comfortable Season

The holiday season brings togetherness, travel, sunshine, celebration and, for many living with lymphoedema, a change in routine that can make symptoms feel a little harder to manage. But with a few intentional choices, you can support your lymphatic flow, protect your wellbeing, and enter the New Year feeling more grounded, more empowered, and more in tune with your body.

Below are some simple, practical supports drawn from my own lived experience. I hope they help you enjoy the season with more ease, comfort, and confidence.

1. When therapists are unavailable — self-care becomes your superpower

Over the Christmas period, access to therapists can be limited. This is a perfect moment to lean into gentle, at-home tools:

Try Dry Brushing or Self-MLD

Dry brushing is one of the easiest ways to help support lymphatic flow when professional manual lymphatic drainage isn’t accessible. It helps move the skin layers, which is now understood to be even more effective than older “feather-light” techniques.

Tips:

• Use a soft, natural-fibre brush.

• Brush in the direction of lymphatic pathways.

• Apply moisturiser straight after the shower to keep skin supple and protected.

2. Travelling? Build movement into the journey

Whether you're driving long distances or flying interstate to see family, small adjustments make a big difference:

• Take regular breaks every 1–2 hours to stretch, walk, and breathe deeply.

• Practice diaphragmatic breathing — your diaphragm is one of the strongest pumps for your lymphatic system. Deep breathing gives momentum to lymph flow.

• Elevate your affected limb when possible. On a plane, placing a bag or rolled jacket under your feet or elbow can give just enough elevation to help fluid move.

• Stay hydrated. Your lymphatic system thrives on fluid movement.

3. Embrace gentle holiday exercise

Water-based exercise remains one of the most effective ways to support lymphatic health — the counter-pressure of water and the movement of your muscles create a natural massage effect.

But even simple movement helps:

• A walk in the ocean

• Strolling through the neighbourhood lights

• Light stretching or yoga at home

Whatever you choose, do something, and be kind to yourself if your routine looks different during the holidays.

4. Mindful eating & holiday treats

We all know this season invites more indulgence and that’s okay. Mindful eating can help support your lymphatic system and overall wellbeing.

A wonderful practice:

• Eat slowly.

• Share meals with others at a dining table, enjoy the conversation.

• Savour your food, breathe, enjoy the moment. This simple shift helps with portion control and digestion while reducing stress on the system.

5. Protect your skin — especially in summer

Heat, humidity, and increased outdoor time can make skin more vulnerable. Moisturise daily (ideally while skin is still damp) using simple formulations like glycerine or coconut-oil–based moisturisers, that absorb into the skin. Healthy skin is your first line of defence.

6. Nourish your mindset — joy really is medicine

Laughter stimulates the diaphragm, which supports lymphatic flow. Playful moments, uplifting conversations, and gratitude practices can shift your energy and your physiology.

This season, let joy be part of your self-care practice.

A Holiday Note About Our DP-Tx™ Bra Insert

For those managing breast swelling after breast cancer, breast surgery or mastitis, the holiday season shouldn’t mean extra burden. Our DP-Tx™ Bra Insert is designed to support your lymphatic flow without hot, tight, compression, making it perfect for:

1. Summer heat – breathable bamboo/cotton keeps you cool

2. Travel – lightweight and easy to pack

3. Everyday comfort – no special fitting or donning of tight garments

It’s a simple, gentle companion you can wear inside your own bra to help keep fluid moving while you enjoy your holidays.

A New Year’s Resolution. For You, and For Us

As you step into the New Year, perhaps consider a resolution drawn from the heart.

“Choose one step at a time. Choose what uplifts. Choose belief in what’s possible.”

At ChezLeon, our resolution is clear: To bring more awareness, more access, and more relief to people living with lymphoedema not just in Australia, but globally.

We’re deeply grateful for the community walking this journey with us, and we look forward to expanding our support, our education, and our DP-Tx™ product line so more people can live comfortably again.

Wishing you a peaceful, joyful, lymphatic-friendly holiday season.

With care, Cheryl & the ChezLeon team