Our circulatory system plays an unseen but essential role in our bodies, transporting oxygen, nutrients and waste to keep us alive.
This is why having a healthy circulatory system is imperative to maintaining optimal health, and having low blood circulation can indicate some serious underlying issues.
If you have poor circulation and you’re keen to improve your condition, you’ll be glad to know there are many ways you can do this. In this blog we’ll offer some tips and advice for improving circulation.
Understanding Poor Circulation
If someone has poor circulation then it means the blood is not flowing through the body properly. This is often due to underlying health conditions, lifestyle factors or a combination of both.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to poor circulation, including dietary habits, smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and vascular diseases. Low circulation can manifest in a number of ways and may differ from person to person, but some common symptoms include coldness, numbness, tingling sensations and muscle cramps.
Benefits of Improved Circulation
For those who have low circulation, improving this condition can produce a myriad of health benefits.
Improved blood flow promotes efficient oxygenation, which aids cellular function and boosts energy levels. Enhanced circulation also supports cardiovascular health, as well as reducing the risk of blood clots, promoting tissue repair and accelerating healing processes.
Tips To Enhance Circulation
So now we know the risks of poor circulation and its harmful impact on a number of the body’s key functions, let’s see what can be done to improve it. Thankfully, if you have poor circulation, there are various steps you can take to help improve this condition, including:
Regular Exercise:
Getting regular physical activity is an effective way to enhance circulation by stimulating blood flow and improving cardiovascular health. This can include brisk walking, running, cycling or swimming.
To maximise blood flow, try combining these aerobic exercises with strength training routines as this is sure to promote overall circulation.
Quit Smoking:
If you’re a smoker and you want to improve your circulation, then quit. Quit right now!
Smoking is hands down the worst habit you can have if you’re someone who has poor circulation. In fact, unless you have an underlying illness, there’s a good chance your smoking is what’s causing it!
You see, smoking constricts blood vessels which impedes blood flow and exacerbates circulation issues. Stopping smoking helps support vascular health and increases blood circulation throughout the body.
If you’ve quit smoking and replaced cigarettes with a vape, the bad news is this is probably affecting your circulation too. Although research on vaping is in its infancy, studies suggest that inhaling the vapour from an e-cig can affect circulation in a similar way to smoking.
Optimise Diet:
Most of us are fully aware of the role our diet plays in our health. A healthy, balanced diet is essential if we want the body’s functions to run properly, while an overindulgence in bad foods or a lack of nutrients will result in the opposite.
When it comes to circulatory health, consuming a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish, flaxseeds and walnuts can be beneficial.
Likewise, consuming black or green tea which are rich in health-boosting antioxidants, can work wonders for our blood vessels and encourages better circulation.
Maintaining Iron Levels:
One of the most important steps for achieving optimum circulation is healthy iron levels. That’s because iron plays a key role in the production of haemoglobin which is the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.
If you’re low on iron this could be playing a causal role in your low circulation. Consuming iron-rich foods such as spinach, lentils and red meat should give your levels a pick-me-up. Alternatively, if your iron is excessively low, your doctor may prescribe a supplement.
Compression Socks:
Wearing compression socks or stockings can improve circulation by applying gentle pressure to the legs which assists in blood flow.
If you’re someone who has varicose veins or you spend extended periods sitting or standing then compression socks should be particularly beneficial.
Thai Yoga Massage:
Last but certainly not least, Thai yoga massage is an effective way to enhance blood circulation. The gentle stretches and compression incorporated help the blood and lymphatic system flow loosely, which fills the body’s cells with oxygen, promoting cell growth and improving heart health.
So those are the best ways to improve poor circulation. If you have low blood circulation then try some of the tips we’ve given in this post and you should see some improvements in next to no time!