Proper blood circulation is important in order to maintain positive, healthy body function. It’s not just important for the body – but also important for the mind. As blood circulates through the body, it sends important nutrients, minerals, and oxygen to different parts. Without proper blood circulation, our mood can suffer and the whole body will not function well.
What can happen from bad blood circulation?
If blood doesn’t circulate through the body properly, it can affect the brain, heart, liver, kidneys and even the limbs.
Common symptoms of poor blood circulation can be a numbing feeling or tingle in certain parts of the body. Cold hands and feet, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, migraines, muscle cramps can also be symptoms.
How can blood circulation be improved?
Good for you for reading this post! Here are 15 natural remedies to improve blood circulation – including foods, drinks, exercise tips, getting a massage and also what NOT to do!
READ MORE: History of Chinese Massage Therapy
#1 Move Your Body
Many of us work sedentary jobs – working in an office while sitting down or in front of a computer all day long. Sitting down for long periods of time without a break in between slows blood circulation to the body! So a quick fix is to get up every hour for 10-15 minutes and walk around or stretch. This will greatly improve blood circulation to the whole body.
#2 Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to improve blood circulation. Walking or jogging for 30-40 minutes a week, three to five times a week will help immensely. Stretching in the morning or before going to bed for ten minutes not only helps the body to wake up or relax for bed, but it also gets the blood flowing!
#3 Get a Massage
Now you know this entire website is about health & wellness and about massages. A massage is not only relaxing, but it also helps with blood circulation. A trained masseuse will know what points on the body to tackle to release knots and muscle cramps, which will allow the blood to circulate throughout the body. A Shiatsu massage is perfect for this.
#4 Take a Hot Bath
Hot water relaxes the muscles and allows for better blood flow in the body. Blood vessels dilate (get wider) in hot water – allowing more blood to flow freely. So take a hot bath several times a week – or jump into a Jacuzzi or join your friends in the sauna.
#5 Green Tea
Green tea is rich in many antioxidants that help clear the body of “waste.” Drinking green tea regularly also helps to relax the body’s arteries, which allows more blood to flow without obstruction. Drinking green tea two to three times a day will soothe your mood, help the body to relax, and improve blood circulation.
#6 Dark Chocolate
Treat yourself from time to time with a chocolate that’s good for you. Dark chocolate that is 70% cocoa is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that promote blood flow, especially in the legs.
#7 Add Some Ginger
Ginger has been used in China for centuries as a natural remedy for many ailments. Thanks to natural compounds such as gingerols and zingerone – these compounds have a warming effect on the body that prevents blood clots, reduces the risk of heart disease, and of course, improves blood circulation.
#8 Garlic
Garlic is used to treat many ailments throughout the world – it’s not just for eating or killing Vampires. Garlic relaxes the blood vessels and interacts with red blood cells to create hydrogen sulfide – which improves blood circulation. Eat more garlic – and some mints after!
#9 DON’T Wear Uncomfortable Shoes!
Wearing uncomfortable shoes isn’t just painful, it also restricts blood flow to the feet. Blood has to flow from the heart, down the legs to the feet, and then back up again. Tight, uncomfortable shoes will prevent this. Wear comfortable shoes or change shoes when you get to work and then get home again.
#10 DON’T Smoke!
Besides the 100,000,000 other reasons not to smoke, smoking is also bad because it increases cholesterol levels. If cholesterol gets stuck in the blood vessels, it not only blocks blood circulation, but it can also lead to a stroke.
#11 Spice it Up
Add spices like cayenne pepper to your cooking! It not only makes food taste better, but the compounds in cayenne pepper dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. As a bonus, it also boosts the metabolism to burn more fat, helps digest food better, and clears the sinuses.
#12 Don’t Stress Out (too much)
Stress is bad for one’s health. Too much stress can cause many health problems that can be easily prevented by managing the stress. It’s bad on the heart, the mind, mood and reduce the body’s blood flow circulation. Laugh a little – watch a comedy show or a cartoon and relax – let the stress go – because, with a little laughter, stress can just about disappear!
#13 DON’T Drink Too Much Alcohol
Drinking alcohol in moderate amounts is okay – but drinking too much or binge drinking is very bad for your health. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can harden the arteries which hinder healthy blood flow.
#14 DON’T Eat Processed Foods
Food that is processed to make it look better or tastier with lots of added sugars and salts and fats is unhealthy! This unhealthy food contains many saturated and trans-fats, as well as lots of cholesterol and sodium. All these combined together are recipes for disaster – including hardened vessels and arteries that prevent positive blood circulation.
#15 Get More Sleep
Sleep is great. Don’t lose it. Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night to rest the body – as this will allow the heart to concentrate on pumping blood slowly to the body. This makes sure the blood gets to where it needs to go – so that when you wake up in the morning, you’re ready to go!
4 comments