Zero Gravity Chairs and Other Home Remedies for Swelling
Swelling, bloating, and inflammation are not only uncomfortable, they can be painful, too! Finding home remedies for swelling doesn’t mean you have to change everything you do. Usually simple adjustments in your lifestyle can help reduce swelling and get you back to feeling your best.
Today we’re taking a look at zero gravity chairs and other home remedies for swelling that you can try. Before starting any home treatments, however, it’s important to speak with your primary care physician to ensure it's safe for you to do so.
Home Remedies for Swelling and Inflammation
- Drink more water to stay hydrated
- Use a zero gravity chair for better blood circulation
- Exercise more or stay more active
- Try an epsom salt soak
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Cut your salt intake
Drinking Water to Reduce Swelling
One of the easiest home remedies for swelling is to simply drink more water! When your body is dehydrated, tissues and cells find any water they can and cling to it. This makes you puffy and results in swelling. While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking more water will actually help you avoid swelling and bloating.
Zero Gravity Chairs as Home Remedies for Swelling
Of the many health benefits of zero gravity chairs, the most important for home remedies for swelling is improving blood circulation. In the zero gravity position, the legs are elevated above the heart level which reduces pressure on the back and pelvis while distributing weight along the body. This position results in better blood flow throughout the body.
So what does that have to do with swelling? When blood flows more easily through the body it prevents the accumulation of fluid in places. This means accumulation of fluid is what you perceive as swelling (often in the feet and ankles, though it can happen anywhere).
While there are benefits of zero gravity chairs for all ages, the zero gravity position during pregnancy can be especially helpful for frequent swollen ankles that may cause pain or discomfort.
Furthermore, some other bonus features of zero gravity chairs may include heat therapy and massage functions. These both help improve blood circulation even further, serving as additional home remedies for swelling when using a zero gravity chair.
Use Exercise to Reduce Swelling
Standing or sitting still for too long can result in swelling in your body, especially in legs and lower extremities. Simple exercises can be easy home remedies for swelling and get the blood moving again!
Any exercises will work. You can go for a brisk walk around your neighborhood, hit the gym for a whole routine, or even find activities to do while relaxing in your zero gravity chair that make it easy to integrate into your daily fitness program or post workout recovery routine!
With simple lifestyle adjustments, you’ll find exercises not only function as home remedies for swelling, but also results in improving your overall health naturally.
Use Epsom Salt for Swelling
Next on our list of home remedies for swelling is a simple epsom salt soak. If you’re experiencing swelling in your feet and ankles, soak them in an epsom salt bath for 15 to 20 minutes. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which has been shown to help decrease inflammation. This home remedy for swelling will help flush the body of toxins that may be a root cause of swelling and inflammation while also reducing stiffness and pain.
Limit Alcohol to Avoid Swelling
While alcohol in moderation may not be overly dangerous to you, it is inflammatory and will contribute to swelling in your body. The home remedy for swelling here is simple: reduce or eliminate your alcohol intake to avoid swelling.
Aside from being inflammatory, alcohol also acts as a diuretic. As this will result in more trips to the restroom, you also lose water from your body at a faster rate, resulting in dehydration. Drinking water after consuming alcohol can help reduce the swelling effect it has. In most cases, inflammation from alcohol ingestion should subside in 24 to 48 hours.
Cut Salt to Reduce Swelling
Similar to reducing alcohol consumption, the last on our list of home remedies for swelling is reducing your salt intake. We tend not to notice how oversalted our foods are, resulting in our bodies holding on to more fluid and swell.
Salt overconsumption also contributes to higher blood pressure, which can be a catalyst for swelling and inflammation. To put it into measurements, you should aim for ingesting less than a teaspoon of salt each day. If you’re able to cut it out altogether, that’s the best option. You’ll feel the difference after a few days and be glad you did!
Home remedies for swelling don’t have to be drastic changes in your life. Most of the time, you can accomplish home remedies for swelling with simple lifestyle adjustments such as being more active, watching intakes of certain foods and liquids, or choosing a zero gravity chair for better blood circulation. Adopting a healthier lifestyle will boost your overall health and have you feeling better than ever! Remember, before starting any home treatments, speak to a primary care physician to make sure it’s safe for you.
Aiming for a healthier lifestyle? Check out these 6 spring health and fitness goals to get started!