We’re one month into the new decade and it might be getting a little bit harder to stick to your fitness goals. If being more active was one of your New Year’s resolutions, here is some more motivation to keep working towards your goal: walking can help to improve your vein health.
Walking is an incredible exercise for a myriad of reasons. According to myfitnesspal, walking:
- Improves sleep
- Improves blood glucose levels
- Strengthens your memory
- Lowers risk of tripping and falling
- Elevates your mood
- Boosts blood circulation
- Strengthens your bones
- Increases brain sharpness
- Lowers pain of arthritis, fibromyalgia, and more
- Boosts your immunity
As you can see, there are so many health benefits to walking, there are virtually no downsides to incorporating more walking into your daily routine.
Walking can be especially good for people who suffer from varicose veins, because walking is such a low-impact workout. Walking doesn’t put a lot of strain on your legs or jarring or pounding, it’s just a simple movement that helps to strengthen your calf muscles.
Strengthening your calf muscles through walking helps to boost your circulation which is extremely beneficial to those with varicose veins.
Try to walk for at least 30 minutes, five days a week. You are more than welcome to take it slow and walk at your own pace starting out, but if you can get your speed up that is also great. Brisk walking helps you burn more calories by raising your heart rate without being too strenuous.
You May Want to Avoid Running However
Though running can be beneficial to some people and provide amazing cardiovascular benefits, it can cause serious problems for those with varicose veins.
Unlike walking, running puts pressure and serious strain on your legs as they are constantly pounding a hard surface.
That being said, if your vein issues are not extreme and you love to run, don’t worry. You can opt for slow jogs on a softer surface, like grass to help cut back on the negative effects of concrete or treadmill running.
If you have more questions about running with varicose veins, or vein health in general, schedule a consultation today by calling 817.235.0769.