How to Keep Your Legs Healthy in the Winter
The holiday season is well-known for delightful foods, the gift of giving, and staying warm in your home all day. Despite the joy that winter activities bring, they can pose a threat to your health! It might be a challenge to push yourself to get some exercise or make a trip to the gym, but it doesn’t have to be! By staying active in the winter, you can prevent health problems and that includes varicose veins. Sure, you may not show your legs much during the winter, but you might be wondering about how you can keep your legs in good shape to prevent the formation of varicose veins. Ponder no more! We have some tips that we are confident will help.
Exercise at Least Thirty Minutes a Day
As tempting as it is to stay at home and drink hot chocolate in the comfort of your living room, we do not advise that you make a habit out of it. Try to squeeze in about thirty minutes each day for physical activity. Physical activity improves blood circulation, which can also help relieve irritation from varicose veins. A sedentary lifestyle makes it harder for you to push blood back to your heart. So make room for the sake of your legs by swimming some laps at an indoor pool or by taking brisk walks in the crisp winter air!
Bring Fitness Indoors
We’re mindful of the fact that it might be hard to exercise when it’s almost freezing outside, but when there is a will to keep your legs healthy, there is always a way! You can walk laps at an indoor track, take a fitness class at a gym, join a community dance class, lift weights, work out to a video in your living room or bedroom, or just dance! The most important component of an exercise program is finding something that you enjoy while simultaneously getting your blood running. If you’re enjoying your workouts, you’ll more than likely be able to stick with it and make it a habit.
Use a Standing Desk as Much as Possible
If you work in an office, it’s likely that you’re sitting for an average of eight hours a day. The minute you get home from a hard day’s work, the first thing you want to do is slouch on the couch or jump on your bed. Treat yourself and your legs by standing up while you work! Standing for some time can help you stretch your legs, get your blood flowing, and help you focus even more. If you work at home in an office room, it would also be helpful to stand while working every so often to give your legs the circulation they need.
Be Mindful of What You Eat
The delicacies of the winter make this season so fun and enjoyable, but you know that you can easily do without sweets. Indulging in sweets regularly can cause inflammation in your body, which can only worsen a case of irritated legs. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean protein are the best foods to eat, not only in the winter but in every season! Healthy legs and a healthy body are all about balance, not food deprivation.
Keep Your Legs Moisturized
Human hair and skin tend to dry out much more during the winter. Apply moisturizers and lotions on your skin every day, especially on your legs, irritated or not. While moisturizers are not designed to directly improve veins, they can improve the dryness of the affected area.
Use an Ice Pack for Injuries or Aches
Just like you would ice a bump on your hand or swollen hands, it is important to apply ice to numb the area that you might sense pain in your legs. Applying a cold ice pack to your legs can inhibit blood flow to the area to minimize swelling and discomfort. Don’t forget to wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel to help prevent further irritation of the skin. Fifteen minutes of an ice pack resting on your leg should be just right.
Consider Using Compression Socks
Compression socks are available at many pharmaceutical stores or they can be prescribed! These socks are made to improve blood circulation in the legs. These socks also do a phenomenal job at gently squeezing and applying pressure in your legs, helping force the flow of blood to reach your heart. Blood shouldn’t pool in your legs, so it’s extremely helpful to have cozy, yet effective socks to help do the job of proper blood circulation.
Celebrate the Holiday Season the Right Way with El Paso Varicose Veins!
Varicose veins shouldn’t be a condition that everyone has to deal with. Here at El Paso Varicose Veins Laser Clinic, we want your legs feeling and looking good! Contact our team today to learn more about how we can treat and attend to your legs and varicose veins.