Taking Care of Your Legs during the Holidays
Between last-minute shopping, holiday parties, and preparing for the New Year, this is one of the busiest times of the year. We know there’s a lot on your mind right now, but it’s important to make sure you’re still taking care of your legs during the holidays.
Whether you have spider veins or varicose veins, our team of experienced providers at Vein Institute wants you to know that there are many ways to keep your legs healthy during the holidays.
Wear Your Stockings
Many holiday tasks involve sitting or standing for hours at a time: shopping, cooking, cleaning, or even sitting with company at your home. When you sit or stand for hours at a time, it can make leg swelling and pain more intense. Because compression stockings improve blood flow in your legs, reduce swelling, and help lessen pain, they can be a game-changer for legs during the holiday busyness. Wear your stockings while you’re sitting online shopping or while you’re cooking and cleaning.
Need a new pair of stockings? We’ve got you covered:
Fill out our new order form 一 and we’ll ship them directly to your door
Questions? Give us a call and learn more about the benefits of compressions stockings
Visit our offices 一 we carry a few Sigvaris Compression Stockings in all of our offices
Email us to ask questions or learn more about compression stockings
New to compression stockings? Our knowledgeable team can recommend the appropriate height and type for you. Sigvaris compression stockings vary in pressure, color, size, height, and even material. Options include luxuriously soft cotton, microfiber, and Merino wool.
2. Don’t Skip Your Workout
Compression stockings are great for your legs, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Staying active is one of the best ways you can show a little TLC to your legs. Exercise, especially walking, helps promote good circulation in your legs. How so? Every time you take a step, your calf muscles squeeze your blood vessels, encouraging your venous blood flow back up to your heart. This is why walking is one of the best things you can do for your legs 一 and your heart. Studies show that even incremental increases in your walking can improve your cardiovascular health.
Here are a few ideas to squeeze more walking into your daily routine:
Start your morning with a walk
Take another short walk on your lunch break
Skip the elevator and choose the stairs
Add an extra block when you walk your dog
If you’re sitting all day at work, set a timer and get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour
Tip: If you can’t attend your normally scheduled gym class, you don’t need to abandon your workout altogether. Even a shorter workout is better than no workout.
3. Elevate Your Legs at Night
According to a study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life, IRC is effective in shrinking internal hemorrhoids and providing relief. Researchers noted that the procedure is remarkably complication free (with minimal spotting listed as a potential side effect), effective, and painless. Not only is the procedure quick and effective, but it’s also an easy process to undergo. There is no need for anesthesia, there’s no downtime, and you can drive yourself home after your procedure.
IRC is particularly effective when paired with other lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of future hemorrhoids. This includes eating fiber-rich foods, exercising daily, and staying hydrated.
4. Massage Your Tired Legs
Massage the tension away by gently rubbing your leg muscles. Not only is this relaxing, but massage helps improve blood circulation to your muscles. You can do this manually, with a foam roller, or by treating yourself to a massage.
5. Don’t Delay Treatment for Leg Issues
If you have uncomfortable symptoms 一 leg cramps, swelling, restlessness, or achiness 一 it’s tempting to put off medical treatment until after your schedule calms down. Give us a call and we can walk you through your options, whether that’s ordering a new pair of stockings or scheduling a consultation. Questions? We’re just a call or click away.
References:
Walking – the first steps in cardiovascular disease prevention (nih.gov)
Foam Rolling: 8 Magic Moves That’ll Relax All the Tension in Your (healthline.com)