Healthy Foods and Exercise for Better Blood Circulation
Every one of us has experienced that pins and needles sensation as some body part goes numb. You can feel the life return to your limbs as the blood starts flowing again. Just quoting this to give a simple example of how important blood circulation is.
When the blood circulation in any part of the body is hindered, the result can be discomfort or pain in severe situations. Blood is kind of the physical manifestation of life flowing through your body. It is responsible for spreading the oxygen and essential nutrients to all the vital organs, including the brain. Reduced or disturbed blood circulation can cause kidney disease, varicose veins and severe consequences like a stroke.
We have become quite prone to living unhealthily. It is not only our eating habits that are negatively affecting our health but a huge lack of exercise too. In simpler situations, a lack of movement is the biggest cause of reduced blood circulation. This is the reason most of us are victims of constant fatigue and muscle cramps.
In this post, we discuss the importance of combining a healthy diet with an exercise routine and how you can change your routine to add these two aspects for improved blood circulation.
Combining Healthy Diet and Exercise
At some point in life, you must realize the power of eating healthy and making daily exercise a routine. Most of us never acknowledge this until we have faced some kind of health adversity. Well, it is time to take a lesson from the others and start before it is too late.
One of the biggest setbacks of modern life is packed or instant food. We have become so busy with our routines that cooking fresh food or even sleeping properly is no longer a normal thing. Many people are living off processed food. It is not just treating your body to preservatives but eliminating a balanced diet.
When we start eating healthy, our bodies will naturally intake the required balance of nutrients. Moreover, given our different body types, we can always try varying diets. Obviously, you should consult a health professional on this matter to determine what combination is appropriate for your body type, especially if you have an existing health condition.
On the other hand, just eating will not boost your health. Your body naturally requires movement. If you can’t add any intense workout routines, which are not even necessary unless you have a certain health goal in mind, at least add simple stretches or basic exercises to the daily agenda. Exercises don’t just get your blood pumping but brighten up the mood as well. You will have better chances of feeling fresh and other bodily functions like digestion will be improved.
Natural Foods for Improving Blood Circulation
Here are a few natural food items to help boost blood circulation:
Celery
No matter how much you don’t like vegetables, you must thank your parents who always strictly made you eat them. Celery is rich in vitamin K, which is both needed for blood circulation and blood clotting in case of injuries. It also helps to get your body rid of excess electrolytes. The good thing is that you can add celery to healthy juices, smoothies, and food recipes. Also tastes great with unsalted, all natural nut butter.
Citrus Fruits
Pack up on some citrus! Go for lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruit. They are also low in sugar and anti-inflammatory so you can enjoy all the healthy goodness. Due to the extra vitamin C, they can help the body cleanse itself from the inside. Whole oranges and grapefruits are rich in fibers that are important for the heart and blood health. Other than that, you can always add them to juices, salad dressings or smoothies.
Red Bell Peppers
You can get the entire day’s requirement of vitamin C in just one red bell pepper. Rich in anti-oxidants, fiber and hydration to improve blood flow, you can use red bell peppers in varying recipes. They can be used to prepare some delicious savory recipes while combined with salads and soups, they taste good as well.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are always a welcoming sight. They are fresh looking with their vibrant green color and watery texture. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. They remove the toxins and provide the body with water content. The combination of the nutrients is highly beneficial for improving blood flow. Be sure to buy organic cucumbers to avoid exposure to pesticides.
There are hundreds of similar food items that can help you in promoting better health. Nature has offered us a range of delicious and healthy fruits and vegetables. You don’t need to pack up on supplements for all the nutrients when there are so many natural sources available.
Dark Chocolate
I know, we didn’t believe this one either. You have to choose the dark chocolate that is 70% or higher in cocoa. Dark chocolate is loaded in magnesium and rich in antioxidants. Eating only a couple of small squares daily will help.
Exercises for Better Blood Circulation
Raising Your Heart Rate
Invest a part of your day in exercises that raise the heart rate. Increases in heart rate will get your blood pumping. These exercises are often called cardio activities. You don’t even have to go out of your way; for example, riding a bicycle or walking can increase heart rate.
Resistance Training
Exercises like lifting weights, push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups not only promote muscle growth but provide better blood flow to the arms and legs. Make resistance training a consistent part of your workout to see better results.
For post exercise stiffness, compression gear is a great option for recovery; especially those who have poor circulation. Feel free to wear your compression gear for a couple of hours after exercise. Also, elevating your legs above your heart, post exercise, is great for recovery. This will help blood flow as well as reduce inflammation.
When you add a combination of healthy diet and exercises to your daily routine, you will generally feel an improvement in your health. Most of us are constantly complaining about exhaustion and fatigue. For many, the simplest cause could be the lack of movement and bad eating habits. The problem is that if we continue like this, the fatigue may convert into serious health problems. However, we can stop that situation from developing by taking our health seriously from today. If you are not so educated about how your body will respond to varying foods and exercises, you can always consult a health professional along with a fitness expert. The earlier you start, the better chances you have of avoiding health problems in the future.
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