A properly functioning circulatory system is crucial to your well-being. Having good blood circulation means that your tissues will be supplied with the necessary nutrients and oxygen and can get rid of the waste faster. Unfortunately today, poor blood circulation can be quite common, especially for those of you who work at a desk.
Poor blood circulation in the legs can lead to all sorts of problems, from varicose veins to blood cloths. That being said, it’s important to keep your circulatory system functioning at its best. Luckily, blood circulation in the legs can often be improved by making some simple changes in your lifestyle.
Stretch on a Daily Basis
You already know how important it is to stretch when working out. By doing so you can start or speed up the recovery process and prevent DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) which is quite common after a workout. This is because stretching gets the blood moving in the muscles, which gives them a boost of the nutrients needed to repair themselves.
This effect of stretching can also be used on a daily basis to improve the blood flow, especially if you’re sitting a lot. Since working on a desk for eight hours is not healthy at all, it’s recommended taking a break from 5 – 10 minutes every hour. And this time is ideal to stretch and get your blood flowing. Plus, by doing this, more oxygen will be delivered throughout the body which can give you a boost in energy and keep you productive and alert.
Use an Ergonomic Footrest
Using an ergonomic work desk, mouse and keyboard to reduce wrist pain, as well as replacing the traditional office chair with an ergonomic chair can help improve your posture and prevent musculoskeletal pain. However, it takes more than that to improve your overall health and blood flow if you’re working at a desk 8 hours a day.
The way your feet are positioned while seating can certainly affect your comfort and well-being. Keeping them flat on the ground can result in blood pooling in your feet. This, in turn, reduces blood flow and makes your feet swollen and painful. To prevent this from happening, it seems that footrests are your perfect ally. And but not just any footrest.
When it comes to choosing footrests ergonomic is the word you should remember. As we already mentioned, sitting for too long with no activity can lead to poor blood circulation. However, choosing one of the many quality and durable footrests ergonomic models can help you keep your feet up and reduce the chances of poor blood circulation. Being able to keep your feet slightly raised on a surface without feeling any pain or strain is one step closer towards better blood flow.
And since there are several types of ergonomic footrests ranging in size, design, height adjustments and other features, finding the most comfortable position won’t be a problem anymore. Thanks to this amazing ergonomic invention, now you can sit for at least eight hours in your ergonomic chair without any pain in the hips and in the back muscles of your legs.
To get even more benefits, try to actively use your footrest ergonomic tool by placing your feet at different spots on the footrest throughout the day. Along with stretching your legs, by doing this you can certainly improve the blood flow and increase your energy levels. Not to mention, the movement will help you burn more calories.
Manage Your Stress Levels with Yoga
Stress can have a negative impact on both your mental and physical well-being. Almost any kind of health problem can be worsened by stress, even poor blood circulation. That is why you should find ways to relieve any stress and anxiety you might be feeling. And while listening to music, exercising and even knitting have proven great in reducing stress, activities such as meditation and yoga are even more effective.
Yoga has become increasingly popular over the last few decades and for a reason. It’s a simple and affordable activity that you can perform anywhere and experience a huge difference in your mental health. You only need to buy yoga mat as one of the main yoga props and turn on one of the many free instructional videos you can find online. By combining controlled breathes, physical poses and short periods of deep relaxation, this technique can help you clear up your mind within minutes.
So, it goes without saying that if you’re searching for an easy stress reliever, you should certainly buy yoga mat and lean on yoga. By doing this, you’ll be able to prevent the impact of the exaggerated stress response and reduce the feelings of anxiety, depression and even physical pain. Lots of studies have shown that experienced yogis can tolerate pain better than people who have a poorly regulated response to stress.
Additionally, if you decide to buy yoga mat and practise yoga in your free time, you’ll experience some physical benefits as well. Yoga helps to reduce your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and improve your breathing. And all of this, can help improve your blood flow and keep your circulatory system healthy.
If you’ve been leading a primarily sedentary life and are just getting into yoga, you will need to take time to build up your strength and flexibility. A quality mat can significantly help you along the way. Make sure there’s at least 15 mm of padding which will take off some of the impact on your joints, and help prevent injuries while also improving your strength. Using a thin and flimsy yoga mat can place more pressure on your wrists and ankles, causing you discomfort and increasing the risk of injuries.
But as important padding is, you don’t want to be carrying a heavy mat around with you if you’re going to a yoga studio. Go for a nice balance between thickness and lightness.
Walk It Out
The simplest and most commonly used weapon for aiding blood circulation is walking. This low-impact exercise can certainly help you create a more active and healthier lifestyle while also helping you lose some weight. Except for being the ideal blood flow promoter, walking has also been proven to be great for reducing blood pressure, improving overall balance and even mood. If possible, go for a walk on a daily basis, and try to get up from the chair and move a little in order to improve the blood flow while still at work.
Stop Smoking
Quitting your cigarette habit is often the best thing you can do for your overall health, including your blood flow. Healthy blood vessels are destroyed by nicotine, and eventually, smoking can lead to blood clots, feet and ankle swelling. So, if you are a smoker, you should certainly consider the idea of quitting if you want to improve your blood circulation and reduce the risk of heart attacks and some other health conditions.