Circulation problems are to blame for everything from fatigue to skin issues.
Your circulatory system is one of the most important in your body. It’s responsible for keeping the blood flowing to all of your tissues, organs, and cells, providing the oxygen and nutrients needed to keep your body alive. Without that oxygen and nutrients, your cells would begin to die, leading to an overall shutdown of your body.
It’s vital that you keep your circulatory system working well! Thankfully, there are a few easy solutions for circulation problems:
- Relax — Stress raises your blood pressure, dilates your blood vessels, and causes circulation problems. Taking time to relax will help to lower your blood pressure and improve blood flow throughout your body.
- Be active — The more active you are, the better your circulation is. Exercise gets your heart and lungs working, keeps the blood flowing, and burns the fat that could clog up your blood vessels. Daily exercise is a MUST, so try to get anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes per day to solve mild to moderate circulation problems.
- Improve your posture –– Slouching, slumping, or hunching while sitting down can lead to poor spinal alignment and reduced blood flow. Sit up straight, place your feet flat on the floor, and relax your shoulders. This will help to increase blood flow (to your lower body as well as upper body)!
- Reduce stimulants –– Nicotine is particularly bad for your circulatory system, as it dilates your blood vessels but increases your blood pressure. Caffeine, if consumed in excess, can also lead to circulation problems. Cut back your stimulant use as much as possible!
- Massage yourself –– Regular massage can help to increase blood flow, loosen tense muscles and joints, and deal with the symptoms of poor circulation. Rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender oils all help to improve circulation, so use them when you give yourself a massage.
- Limit alcohol –– You need to stick with just 1 or 2 drinks per day, and make sure they’re the heart-smart ones: primarily red wine. More than 5 drinks per week can lead to serious health problems if you’re not careful.
READ MORE: How to Increase Blood Circulation by Diet
- Add spices –– Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a circulation-boosting compound that will increase your internal body temperature and relax your blood vessels. Eat more spice in your food and improve your circulation!
- Drink green tea –– Unlike coffee, green tea contains only small amounts of caffeine, so it won’t cause a negative impact on your circulatory system. In fact, the antioxidants in green tea will boost blood flow and get rid of the cholesterol that could clog your arteries.
- Eat more aromatics –– Onions, garlic, and ginger root are all delicious when added to food, but they’re also amazing for your health. All three will fight off infection, reduce inflammation, and improve overall blood flow.
- Sleep right –– Did you know that sleeping the wrong way can cut off circulation to certain muscles and joints? Correct your sleep posture and improve your blood flow.
- Eat more greens –– Dark, leafy greens are AMAZING for your circulation. They contain iron, fiber, calcium, and vitamins that will help to increase blood flow and boost the health of your heart.
- Drink more –– Water plays an important role in all of your bodily functions, and it’s vital that you get enough water in your diet in order to have a healthy body. You need to drink more water if you want to have proper circulation, so make it a point to consume at least 3 to 5 liters on a daily basis.
