Methods for How to Improve Circulation in Legs and Feet
Good blood circulation is important throughout the entire body. Blood delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to tissue, muscles, and organs to help our bodies continue to operate at optimal levels. Not only does it keep our body systems in top shape, but it also helps them heal faster and expel toxins that may have caused us to become sick.
Unfortunately, circulating blood through our lower extremities can be harder work for the circulatory system. This is because the blood has to be pushed upwards through the body against gravity and from the furthest points from the heart. Finding ways to improve circulation in legs and feet doesn’t have to be difficult, however. To help you maintain optimal health, we’re exploring how to improve blood circulation in legs and feet with simple lifestyle adjustments you can implement right away.
As with any changes to your health routine, be sure to consult a medical professional before you begin to ensure it’s safe for you to do so.
How to Improve Circulation in Legs and Feet
Poor blood circulation can be experienced by people of all ages, but is often especially prevalent in older adults. Athletes and active individuals should also be concerned about maximizing their blood circulation to improve athletic performance and boost recovery. No matter your lifestyle, finding ways to improve circulation in legs and feet needs to be a priority.
Don’t be overwhelmed! A few simple ways to improve circulation in legs and feet include:
- Going for a walk
- Exercising regularly
- Elevating the legs with recovery tools like zero gravity chairs
- Following a healthy diet
- Wearing compression socks
- Managing stress levels
Going for a Walk
The first entry on our list of methods for how to improve circulation in legs and feet is simply by walking. If it sounds super simple, it’s because it is! Walking is an easy, low-impact form of exercise that can help contribute to a healthier, more active lifestyle that boosts blood flow. While a walk at any pace can be potentially effective, keeping up a pace that elevates your heart rate within safe levels is ideal for how to improve circulation in legs and feet this way.
As the muscles in your legs contract and relax, they squeeze around veins in the legs that stimulate blood flow through these extremities and back to the heart. In addition to the potential to improve circulation in legs and feet, taking a brisk walk can also help you get essential vitamin D from natural sunlight and even boost your mood.
Exercise Regularly
Walking isn’t the only form of exercise that can help improve circulation in legs and feet. While a brisk walk is a low-impact option, any form of regular exercise can be immensely beneficial.
Before beginning your exercises, thorough stretching can have a noticeable improvement on circulation to your extremities. Not only does this improve circulation in legs and feet, but it also prepares the muscles for activity, which may help prevent sports injuries or increase mobility and flexibility.
You don’t have to participate in major sports or even go to a gym to get exercise. There are plenty of creative ways to do full body workout exercises from the comfort of home using tools as simple as a recliner! There are a wide variety of standing and seated exercises you can incorporate into your fitness routine right from your living room.
As an added bonus, you might consider using a luxury zero gravity chair as part of your exercise routine. The potential health benefits of zero gravity chairs make them ideal pairings with a fitness routine because what better way to exercise at home than with a recliner that could positively impact your mental and physical health at the same time?
Regardless of whether you’re exercising from home, going to a gym, or participating in sports, make sure you practice a post workout recovery routine. This is essential for keeping muscles loose, potentially avoiding issues like Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), and enhancing how the body heals itself.
Elevate the Legs to Improve Circulation in Legs and Feet
Elevating your legs for at least 20 minutes a day may help improve circulation in legs and feet, as well. Not only does this help boost delivery of nutrients and oxygen to tissue, muscles, and organs, but it can help flush toxins and fight swelling you may be experiencing.
One of the most common symptoms of poor circulation in legs and feet is swelling. This swelling can be uncomfortable or even painful, depending on the circumstances. Elevating your legs is a simple lifestyle change that could have a profound positive impact.
One of the easiest ways to elevate your legs while fighting swelling and helping improve circulation in legs and feet is to use a zero gravity chair. In the zero gravity position, the legs are elevated above the heart level and weight is distributed evenly along the body. Not only does this positioning serve as the catalyst for better blood flow, but it also reduces excess pressure on the lower back and pelvic region, making zero gravity chairs popular for back pain relief and for sciatica treatment at home.
You may find bonus features of zero gravity luxury recliners like massage and heat therapy that could further improve circulation in legs and feet, as well. Using a zero gravity chair with massage programs or heat therapy keeps muscles loose, stimulates blood flow, and could leave you feeling better than you ever thought possible!
Improving Circulation in Legs and Feet With a Healthy Diet
Following a healthy diet is another simple lifestyle change that may help improve circulation in legs and feet. While a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables is encouraged for any healthy lifestyle, there are certain foods that have been shown to potentially improve circulation in legs, feet, and throughout the entire body. They include such foods as:
- Red hot peppers
- Beets
- Garlic and turmeric
- Nuts
- Types of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids
- Certain fruits like pomegranates
Wearing Compression Socks
When learning how to improve circulation in legs and feet, you’re likely to come across suggestions for wearing compression socks. Compression socks are meant to mimic the internal action of walking by causing the muscles in your legs to contract and relax. This continual cycle can help stimulate blood flow in the lower extremities. Studies have also shown that wearing elastic compression socks may help reduce pain and edema in legs.
Managing Stress Levels
Last on our list of methods for how to improve circulation in legs and feet comes managing stress levels. The long-term effects of stress on the body can be profound. Not only can it affect your mental health, but it can even have a negative impact on your physical health like disrupting blood flow.
Finding methods to alleviate stress can be as easy as listening to music, journaling, or even practicing a relaxing night time routine to unwind before bed. If you want to really boost your potentially effective methods for how to improve circulation in legs and feet, consider using a zero gravity chair.
As you’ve already learned, they have the potential to drastically improve blood flow throughout the body, but they also make the perfect tool for stress management, as well. For example, zero gravity meditation routines could help you melt away the stress of the day while you relax in the zero gravity position. Meditation is widely acknowledged to have applications for improving mental health and alleviating stress. With many different meditation techniques in existence, try some out and see what works best for you.
As you can see, finding methods for how to improve circulation in legs and feet doesn’t have to be tricky. With a few simple lifestyle adjustments, you could improve your overall health and feel your best. Whether it’s with regular exercise, following a healthy diet, or choosing a zero gravity chair to relax and unwind, you’ll be thankful you made the change when you’re feeling better than ever!
To learn more about the potential health benefits of zero gravity chairs and how they could improve your lifestyle, check out these additional resources:
