Improving Your Blood Circulation

Helping your your blood to circulate well is doing things that can enhance the free flow of your blood. So you can help it flow well by staying away from alcohol and sleeping pills. Get up and walk around every hour or two. It’s important to boost your circulation and keep your muscles moving. When you’re sitting, change your position often. Don’t cross your legs, since that can reduce blood flow. Try compression stockings: Your doctor may recommend compression stockings to help prevent clots. These put pressure on your feet and legs to improve circulation. Deskercise foot pumps: Whenever you’re at your desk or stuck traveling, try to regularly move your feet and calf muscles. Try pumping your feet. While you’re seated, put your feet flat on the floor. Raise your toes in the air while keeping your heels on the ground. Hold for three seconds. Then reverse — plant your toes, raise your heels, and hold for three seconds. Get moving: Regular physical activity is a great way to prevent deep vein thrombosis. It boosts your circulation and prevents swelling. Exercise can also help you keep a healthy weight, which also lowers your risk. Exercise can improve your lung function too, which is key if you’ve had a pulmonary embolism. Stop smoking: If you smoke, now’s the time to quit. Smoking restricts your blood flow and makes clots more likely. Schedule breaks: If you’re at a desk all day, use a timer on your computer or phone to schedule breaks. Set it for one to two hours. When it goes off, get up and walk for a few minutes, then reset the alarm. If it helps, set your timer more often to remind you to stretch your legs and feet and move them around while you’re at your desk. Source: webmd.com