Smart ways to improve poor circulation
/Smart ways to improve poor circulation
Did you know your body has about 60,000 miles of blood vessels, pathways for your blood to go from one part of your body to another area. The body’s circulatory system is a vital component of your body responsible for sending blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body. Comparable to a network of roadways carrying blood to every corner of your body, your circulatory system is made up of your heart and other muscles.
Poor circulation can occur when blood flow to a certain area of your body is reduced, resulting in specific symptoms. The most common areas of the body to experience poor circulation are your extremities such as your legs and arms. When circulation is poor, it can either slow or completely block the flow of blood. This results in a reduction of oxygen and nutrients being able to be delivered to the cells in your body.
Symptoms of poor circulation
Signs of poor circulation vary and can include the following symptoms:
· Hands and feet that feel cold or numb
· Legs with a blue tinge
· Dry skin
· Brittle nails
· Slow or no hair growth on your feet and legs
· Men having erectile dysfunction
· Anyone with diabetes who have wounds that take a long time to heal
Steps to improving poor circulation
To prevent and or improve poor circulation, here are steps to take that can be helpful:
· Don’t smoke – Smoking will exacerbate any circulatory problems you may have. Nicotine found in cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco, harms the walls of your arteries, thickening the blood making it hard for blood to get around the body.
· Control your blood pressure – High blood pressure predisposes you to arteriosclerosis, a condition that hardens your arteries that can slow or choke off blood flow. Know what your blood pressure is and discuss with your doctor lifestyle changes to make to improve blood pressure readings.
· Stay well-hydrated – About 75 percent of your blood is composed of water. To keep it moving freely through your circulatory system, stay well-hydrated by aiming to drink at least 8 cups of water daily.
· Avoid sitting for long periods of time – Sitting all day is not great for your circulation or your back. Sitting too much weakens leg muscles slowing the blood flow that could lead to a blood clot. Consider a standing desk at work to improve blood circulation. By doing more standing as opposed to sitting, this works the valves in your leg veins, sending blood up to your heart.
· Do yoga – This low-impact exercise can jump-start your blood flow. All the twisting and turning sends blood to your organs while bringing oxygen to your cells.
· Hit the wall with this yoga pose – If your legs or ankles have a tendency to swell, do a yoga pose called viparita karani. This move sends your blood in the other direction helping to improve circulation.