5 Habits to Improve Your Blood Circulation

Blood circulation is an essential bodily function that plays a major role in your overall health! It makes sure that blood and oxygen properly flow, allowing every organ in our body — most significantly, the heart — to function properly. It helps heal wounds and injuries faster, it keeps your heart healthy, and it can also improve your skin complexion!

What Causes Poor Blood Circulation

Although blood circulation is a part of our body’s daily functions, it can be easily overlooked and neglected. Some certain habits and conditions lead to poor circulation such as smoking, obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, and living a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activities.

Poor circulation can impose several health risks, as this leads to a lack of oxygen in your vital organs. When left unmanaged, poor blood circulation can cause cardiovascular failure, stroke, and other complications.

If you have poor circulation, you may also notice that your wounds and minor injuries take longer to heal. Bruises might turn into skin ulcers, which can develop into an infection. You may also experience cramps more often in your extremities (hands and feet). In some cases, people with poor blood flow also suffer from memory loss and a lack of concentration.

Habits to Improve Your Blood Flow

Good blood circulation is integral to living a healthy life. Here are some habits that you can start incorporating into your lifestyle to boost your blood flow:

Include omega-3 acids in your diet. Fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 acids and are heart-healthy.
Do cardio exercises. Exercises are the easiest way to get your blood pumping! Running, biking, and walking help improve your blood circulation and keep your heart in good shape.
Drink black or green tea. These drinks are rich in antioxidants that can help strengthen your blood vessels, which in turn allows your body to pump blood more easily.
Quit smoking. If you’re a smoker, there’s no more perfect time than now to quit! Smoking can impede your blood flow, as the nicotine in cigarettes raises your heart rate, narrows your arteries, and hardens your walls.
Decrease stress. While this tip is easier said than done, we believe you can achieve this through proper lifestyle management! Do regular exercise and physical activities such as yoga, meditation, walking, and get massages every now and then to allow yourself to physically and mentally unwind.

References:
How To Boost Your Circulation (And Why It’s Important!)
Poor Circulation