This may sound like the kind of treatment that costs a fortune at a fancy spa but the good news is you can give yourself a hydrotherapy treatment at home in your shower. All you have to do is alternate between hot and cold water 5 or 6 times. When you stand under hot water, blood rushes to your skin oxygenating tissue as it flows. When you switch to cold water the blood diverts back to your internal organs, taking waste products with it. Be careful – You don’t need to be too extreme with the temperatures to get blood moving and feel an energy boost. Saunas use the same principal and the Scandinavians who follow their sauna with a plunge in cold water and a vigorous massage are certainly on to something. Which brings us to….
Massage
Not only is massage a great way to relax but the pushing, kneading, and pulling all help increase circulation. As the massage therapist presses down she moves blood in a congested area and when she releases pressure new blood flows in to replenish this. By squeezing and kneading a muscle the massage therapist helps release lactic acid and improves the circulation of lymph.
Exercise
Any exercise that gets your heart pumping will make blood circulate so take a walk, go for a run, ride a bike, swim, take up a team sport, join the gym or pick up a racket. Even committing to walk for just 10 minutes a day can help.
Stretch
Whilst vigorous exercise does get the blood pumping, slow stretching can also improve circulation by lengthening and oxygenating muscles. Yoga or tai qi are ideal exercises to promote healthy circulation but remember you can stretch anytime and anywhere. So get up from your desk and bend back as far as is comfortable then reach forward and touch your toes. Twist your torso left and right and bend from side to side. Don’t worry about having great technique, just stretch as far as it is comfortable.
Eat Right
Some foods are known to promote circulation. Lycopene is an antioxident that has been shown to help with blood circulation. You can find it in red foods such as watermelon and tomatoes. Garlic and onions are natural blood thinners and can help get blood moving.
Massage
Not only is massage a great way to relax but the pushing, kneading, and pulling all help increase circulation. As the massage therapist presses down she moves blood in a congested area and when she releases pressure new blood flows in to replenish this. By squeezing and kneading a muscle the massage therapist helps release lactic acid and improves the circulation of lymph.
Exercise
Any exercise that gets your heart pumping will make blood circulate so take a walk, go for a run, ride a bike, swim, take up a team sport, join the gym or pick up a racket. Even committing to walk for just 10 minutes a day can help.
Stretch
Whilst vigorous exercise does get the blood pumping, slow stretching can also improve circulation by lengthening and oxygenating muscles. Yoga or tai qi are ideal exercises to promote healthy circulation but remember you can stretch anytime and anywhere. So get up from your desk and bend back as far as is comfortable then reach forward and touch your toes. Twist your torso left and right and bend from side to side. Don’t worry about having great technique, just stretch as far as it is comfortable.
Eat Right
Some foods are known to promote circulation. Lycopene is an antioxident that has been shown to help with blood circulation. You can find it in red foods such as watermelon and tomatoes. Garlic and onions are natural blood thinners and can help get blood moving.
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