Lymph nodes are designed to remove toxins, however, a busy and/or stressful lifestyle often impedes the body’s natural rhythm, causing congestion.Some of the most common causes of lymphatic congestion are: Nutritional Imbalances: Improper nutrition can cause a variety of different health issues, a major one being lymphatic congestion. A poor diet lacking in proper vitamins and minerals can irritate villi (the tiny projections that absorb nutrients) in the intestines. There are many lymph nodes surrounding the stomach area that depend on these villi to help detoxify the body. Stress: Stress is harmful to the entire body, including lymph nodes. Stress weakens the body’s immune system and making it more difficult for lymphatic drainage to occur on its own. Tight Clothing: This cause is one of the easiest within our immediate control. Since the body is filled with lymph nodes from head to toe, wearing excessively tight clothing for long periods of time puts pressure on these nodes and prevents them from draining properly. This is especially important for women. Tight-fitting bras can impede lymphatic drainage in the underarm area, which is home to one of the largest clusters of lymph nodes in the body. Sedentary Lifestyle: Sedentary lifestyle isn't just bad for the waistline and the heart, although these issues are certainly concerning. Sitting for too long is also associated with weakening of the brain in areas associated with memory, increased risk for cancer and diabetes, and overall increased risk of an early death.