Get the Legs You Want for Spring

Though we’re deep in winter’s icy clutches, weather in the Midwest can do a one-eighty on a moment’s notice. You could be bundled up in your winter duds one day and sporting your spring attire the next. You may not have thought much about warmer weather yet, but most Midwesterners are ready to get outside and soak up some much-needed vitamin D by early spring.

Self-care can reduce symptoms of varicose and spider veins and keep new ones from cropping up throughout the winter. Follow these tips, and you’ll be ready to welcome the sunshine with confidence, healthier legs and the proper attire.

Exercise daily.

Regular exercise is not only important for heart health, but it also increases blood flow to your legs. The surgeon general recommends Americans walk 10,000 steps a day. Hit the gym or go on regular walks on your lunch break. Make an exercise goal with a friend or walk the dog. To ratchet up those steps, take the stairs and park in the back of the lot. Low-impact exercises can help reduce pain from throbbing varicose veins.

Avoid sitting or standing for too long.

Any movement is good movement. The longer you sit or stand without moving, the more difficult it is for blood to circulate. Go on a five-minute walk after every few hours of sitting at a desk or in a vehicle. Use a standing desk at work or take your laptop to a counter for an hour. Stretching also is another great way to limber up.

Manage your diet.

Maintaining a healthy weight keeps stress off your legs. Keep a water bottle handy to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. Also, do your best to steer clear of processed and overly salty foods. Salt promotes water retention in the body, which can put more pressure on veins. A regular diet heavy in fiber and a variety of fruits and vegetables will help to keep your vascular system in good shape.

Massage and relax.

This advice is what you’ve been waiting for: Get a massage and take a load off! If you don’t want to pay for a massage, give your legs a good rubdown at the end of the day to increase circulation and relax your muscles before bed. Also, elevating your legs above heart level allows for better blood flow. Take a break a few times a day to lay back, prop your legs on a few pillows or on a chair, and relax.

Moisturize.

Cold snaps and drastic temperature changes can dry out skin, requiring you to lather up with lotion. Moisturizing also helps you strengthen cell walls, preventing varicose veins. Use a moisturizer high in SPF. A collagen cream can also help support skin elasticity.

Visit the MercyOne Iowa Heart Vein Center website for more healthy leg care tips.