How The Pandemic May Worsen Your Vein Health

Finishing Netflix or knitting blankets for all your friends and family can seem like a good idea to keep you busy during the pandemic. They can be pleasant distractions and stress relievers.

Your veins, on the other hand, might not be getting the same benefit.

Excessive sitting can damage vein health and impede blood flow. It can worsen pain from varicose veins and lead to further circulatory issues, like blood clotting, leading to more severe health risks.

So, all that time you’re spending on your butt doesn’t come without consequences.

Thankfully, the fix is pretty simple: move more. Getting up between episodes to stroll around your home for a few minutes, at the very minimum, can help keep blood from pooling in your legs and relieve pressure on compressed blood vessels.

Ideally, you’d be spending some dedicated time each day to exercise and further improve blood flow. But if that isn’t an option, the short bursts can help.

Another tool that can be helpful to promote healthier veins and better blood flow is a pedaling device. Place it at your feet and pedal as you knit, watch television, read, work, or eat.

Putting your feet up so they are above your knees can also help.

Movement is the best thing you can do to promote flexible, healthy veins and blood flow. It prevents blood from pooling and vessels from closing off from each other, helping to prevent varicose veins and circulatory issues.

In addition to more movement, try eating more fruits, vegetables, and natural foods instead of processed snacks. And if you’re spending a lot of time seated in front of the screen, try to limit snacking.

Mindless snacking leads to weight gain and inflammation that can worsen the effect of too much sitting.

The pandemic poses multiple challenges and risks to your health. Do your best to address them all with a balanced diet, active lifestyle, and self-care.