Getting your blood pumping is integral to a healthy lifestyle, but we often put it on the back burner. Maybe you promise to exercise tomorrow, or there’ll be no more cake from Monday. These things focus on looking fit. But, what you should really turn your attention to is knowing how to promote blood flow.
If you want to learn the true way to stay healthy while looking great, keep reading. We’ve laid out the best way to increase blood flow for a confident and happy you.
Why You Need a Healthy Blood Flow
When you have poor blood flow, your heart has a tough time getting oxygen, nutrients and hormones around your body. This can cause heart problems, increase your risk of diabetes and trigger acne and hair loss. In short, a normal blood flow, one that circulates easily, is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. Without it, your entire body becomes affected.
What Causes Bad Blood Flow?
There are many factors that reduce circulation. A common one is age, but a poor diet and an inflammatory lifestyle also contribute to sluggish blood flow. Stress is another factor that creates slow circulation, which everyone encounters now and then (okay, a lot). But that’s why knowing ways to increase blood circulation is crucial.
Read more: How To Reduce Hormonal Stress.
Signs You Have a Reduced Blood Flow
Now, here’s the main question - how do you know if you have bad blood flow? Here are some simple signs to see if you need to improve circulation:
- You’re constantly tired
- You get out of breath easily
- You often get pins and needles
- Your hands and feet are always cold
- You struggle to focus
- Your muscles cramp quickly
- You find it hard to fall asleep
- You have a lethargic and ‘sluggish’ feeling
Read more: Always Tired? Why You're Exhausted and How to Fix It.
How to Improve Blood Circulation Quickly
If you want to improve your health and wellness, one of the first things you need to do is concentrate on blood flow around the body. Keep reading for our top tips for instantly boosting your circulation.
Exercise for Better Blood Flow
The best way to get better blood flow around the body is (we’re sure you saw this coming) - exercise. Exercise works a bit like a water wheel. Imagine your circulation is a river, trickling along and struggling to get from point A to point B.
When you move your body, it turns the water wheel. The action gets blood flowing, giving your circulation a super boost. Suddenly, it’s much easier for oxygen and nutrients to travel from your heart to your essential organs, like your liver, kidneys and lungs.
Best exercise for blood flow
So, is there a best type of exercise for circulation? The more you move, the better your blood flow. But it’s vital to remember that the best type of exercise is one that you’ll do, which is typically something you enjoy. With that in mind, here are the top kinds of exercise for better circulation:
- Weights - Lifting weights is an incredible full-body workout. That means it doesn’t just target one area of your body but all over, which is excellent for heart health.
- Running - Ah, running - one person’s dream and another person’s nightmare. If jogging around the city isn’t your idea of fun, try other aerobic exercises like a cross trainer.
- Swimming - Some people prefer a relaxing swim, and it’s a great way to get your heart pumping. But if you want to improve blood flow, push yourself to swim lengths (rather than floating in a private pool drinking a Pina Colada).
- HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is short bursts of extreme exercise followed by a brief rest. It keeps your heart rate up and the blood flowing.
- Yoga - If you’re managing a mental health condition such as anxiety, it’s best to slow your heart rate with relaxing exercises. This is because conditions such as anxiety release the stress hormone cortisol, which constricts blood flow. Gentle yoga gets the heart pumping while lowering cortisol release.
Take Collagen to Strengthen Blood Vessels
It might come as a surprise, but collagen is incredible for improving circulation. The protein gives your cells elasticity and strength, which extends to everything from vibrant skin to strong artery walls.
Collagen declines as you age, so blood vessel walls start to weaken. A bit like a tunnel without much support, they start caving inwards and narrowing. The lack of flexibility also causes them to harden, so blood circulation has to squeeze its way around. All of this puts pressure on your heart and increases the risk of heart problems.
Arella Beauty’s Liquid Collagen Supplement provides your body with cutting-edge technology, VeCollal. The formula includes an abundance of collagen-enhancing ingredients that boost your amino acids to naturally increase collagen.
Read more: 7 Incredible Benefits of Collagen Supplements.
Eat Foods That Increase Blood Flow
Natural ways to improve blood circulation include eating wholesome nutrients that promote circulation. When you live on a diet made up of sugary, processed foods, it activates your body's immune defences, irritating cells. The swelling extends to your arteries, puffing up the walls, narrowing blood vessels and slowing circulation.
Knowing how to improve blood circulation includes following a nutrient-dense diet that calms cells.
Best foods to improve blood circulation:
- Berries
- Beans, legumes and lentils
- Dark green veggies (spinach, kale and broccoli)
- Nuts, seeds and dark chocolate
- Antioxidant drinks, such as green tea, matcha and coffee
- Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices
Know How to Increase Blood Circulation With Arella Beauty
Increasing blood flow doesn’t have to be overly challenging as long as you incorporate tips and tricks throughout your day. Make sure to move your body to get the blood pumping and nibble on snacks that encourage circulation. Keep your arteries strong with extra collagen and enhance your blood flow with Arella Beauty.
Read next:
- What Happens When You Take Collagen for Heart Health
- How to Get Rid of Inflammation in the Body Fast
- 5 Vegan Collagen-Rich Foods to Hack Your Hormones
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Written by Emma Carey for Arella Beauty.
Emma is a holistic beauty and wellness writer. She has three years of experience in the well-being industry and a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Wellness. Check out her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.
