Good blood circulation is a critical component of good overall health. Your circulatory system is made up of thousands of blood vessels and veins that carry blood to every corner of your body and to important organs that keep you moving. Blood delivers the oxygen your body needs to perform every task you do, from minor movements to major athletic exertions. Poor blood circulation leaves your body hungry for vital nutrients. If things get particularly bad, it can present significant health concerns that can leave you disabled and even cause death. People with good blood circulation have more vitality and energy and can avoid many of the common health problems we face in old age. There are things you can do to improve your blood circulation and keep your body getting the oxygen and vitamins it needs to keep pushing forward.
Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoking is one of the most harmful things you can do to your blood circulation. Nicotine can thicken your blood and weaken your blood vessels, making it harder for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. If you’re a smoker, stop now! It’s a hard habit to kick, but stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for blood circulation. You’ll also notice several other health benefits after you stop smoking. If you’re a smoker, this should be number one on your priority list.
Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check
Consistent high blood pressure hardens your blood vessel walls, making it harder for blood to flow through. This choking off of your blood circulation can lead to health complications and even death. High blood pressure is a serious medical concern that you should work with your primary physician to resolve. Possible solutions include weight loss, prescription medication, and also removing sources of stress from your life. Lowering your blood pressure will make you feel better and improve your blood circulation.
Think About Peptides
There has been a lot of buzz around the future health benefits of peptides. One peptide called ARA-290, is a peptide that has shown promising results on mice and rats when it comes to vascular health. Clinical studies involving mice indicate that ARA-290 can target areas of the vasculature that need repair. It also helps control inflammation that can inhibit blood circulation. These results point to exciting possible treatments to help improve blood circulation in the future.
Stay Hydrated
It sounds simple, but drinking water is one of the best ways to improve your blood circulation. Blood is half water. That’s a huge percentage when you think about it. When you’re dehydrated, your blood becomes more sluggish and makes your heart and vascular system work harder to push it around your body. To get your circulation where you want it to be, develop a habit of drinking large amounts of water every day. If you’re not used to drinking a lot of water, it may be difficult at first. However, your body will get used to processing more water and you’ll likely see other health benefits like healthier skin, more energy, and even weight loss.
Move Around
In the modern economy, many of us are required to sit at a computer desk for hours and hours every day. That may be comfortable, but it’s not great for health or your vascular system. Sitting hampers blood flow and has other negative effects. To combat the effects of sitting, many employers provide standing desks and encourage you to move around. Watches and phones even alert you when you’ve been sitting for too long. To improve blood circulation, stand up for several minutes each hour. Move around more. Buy a small water bottle that forces you to get up and fill it more times a day.
Improving your blood circulation takes focus and discipline. You’ll have to change habits you’ve developed over many years, but the results are worth it. If you start early enough, you could dodge serious medical issues that are tied to poor circulation. You will have more energy and will stay active longer. Improving circulation is something each of us can do to help live a better life for ourselves and loved ones around us.
