7 Tips To Improve Circulation in the Foot
Poor circulation in the feet can be uncomfortable and make life more challenging for those afflicted. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can battle poor circulation in your feet and get yourself feeling better and healthier.
Poor circulation has many causes, including excess plaque, blood clotting, or constricted blood vessels. You may need to see a professional if you have any concerns about the poor circulation in your feet. Some medications may be able to help with poor circulation.
Read on to learn how you can improve the circulation in the foot and prevent poor circulation from causing further issues.
Get Proper Exercise
Moving your body is one of the easiest and fastest ways to ensure that your feet get better circulation. The muscular system gets maintained through regular exercise, and without proper and consistent movement, muscles won’t get the amount of oxygen needed for them to be strong.
Even a small amount of daily exercise can help improve circulation in your feet. Try doing mild aerobic exercise for 15 minutes daily to help prevent poor circulation and keep your feet in the best health.
Exercise can also help maintain proper health in other ways, including preventing cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and obesity. Only half an hour three to four times a week can give you plenty of health benefits without taking up too much time.
Use Compression Socks
Athletes use compression wear to help keep their bodies healthy during and after exercise. There are plenty of benefits of compression wear, especially socks, but the most advantageous reason to wear compression socks is to prevent deep venous thrombosis.
Compression socks can also prevent deep soreness and boost recovery after intense exercise. Although the benefits of compression socks are most notable for athletes, these benefits are still apparent in those who don’t exercise as much.
Compression wear is good for overall circulation and helps reduce the pain you may feel from swollen feet or feet with poor circulation. Wear compression socks for the day and remove them during your sleep cycle for the best results.
Massage Foot Tissue
Give your feet nightly massages to help prevent poor circulation. You walk on your feet every day, and those with poor circulation may find their feet getting swollen or turning red or purple. Gently massaging your feet every night before bed can help prevent plaque buildup and other factors contributing to poor circulation.
Consider using a massaging tool to help you achieve a foot massage without exhausting yourself.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Adopt a healthy diet to help prevent poor circulation. Artificial ingredients and foods can hurt you. Excess sugars and other aspects of a poor diet can impact your body’s circulation and make it challenging to battle.
However, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can combat poor circulation. Pomegranates, onions, and dark leafy greens are some of the best foods to battle poor circulation and keep your body in good health.
Choose foods abundant in vitamin B to reduce inflammation and boost the ability of your blood vessels to function.
Keep Legs Elevated
Sometimes, gravity can help you battle inflammation and poor circulation. After a long day, lean back and elevate your legs on an ottoman or pillow. Pairing this elevation with a gentle foot massage can help improve your circulation.
Keep your legs above heart level, if possible. Elevating your legs is best when you have enough space to lean back and lay down. Use pillows or blankets to prop your legs and keep your feet high.
Keep your feet elevated for up to 30 minutes every night to help improve circulation and help your body heal from any strenuous exercise or movement from work. Additionally, you can add an ice pack to the soles of your feet to help boost healing and prevent swelling.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure can indicate something wrong, such as poor circulation. Blood pressure is the measurement that tells you how much pressure your blood pushes against your arteries as your heart continues to beat. Too high, and you may experience light-headedness, fainting spells, and anxiety.
If you feel stressed or have poor circulation, your blood pressure may be high and lead to negative outcomes. Keeping a healthy blood pressure can be simple and is done through maintaining a healthy diet and daily exercise.
Your blood pressure should be lower than 120/80. Monitor your blood pressure weekly if you don’t have a history of high blood pressure. Record your blood pressure daily if you have a history of high blood pressure, and bring your log to your primary care physician.
Manage Stress
Stress is difficult to manage and has some of the worst impacts on the human body. Stress can cause cardiovascular distress, diabetes, and skin conditions. Along with hive outbreaks and rashes, it can spark asthma attacks and cause depressive and anxious symptoms.
Stress is sometimes responsible for high blood pressure, which can negatively impact your body’s circulation. Overall, stress can be the culprit behind many poor health conditions and make it harder for you to attain good health.
Managing stress can be a tough process, but it can be done with a combination of prescription medications and therapy services. Seek help from a professional counselor and a doctor to form a healthcare plan that works to manage the stress in your life.
Final Thoughts
Poor circulation can be a scary part of your health, but there are plenty of things you can do to ensure that the circulation in your feet is improved. Whether it’s getting proper exercise, keeping your legs elevated, or giving yourself a foot massage daily, there is something that can help you make sure that the circulation in your feet sees improvement.
Try using every method for circulation improvement and decide which approach meshes the best with you and your lifestyle. Ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle with good food, consistent movement, and constant attention to your health.