When the weather outside is frightful, it’s a good time to make sure your body is doing its part to keep you warm. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville wants to help you get your blood flowing and improve your circulation in order to keep you comfortable this November. Go with the Flow When many people think about improving their health, they consider their heart health, eating habits, weight maintenance, etc. However, blood circulation is actually a very important factor in a person’s overall health. According to the National Library of Medicine, red blood cells help to provide energy by carrying oxygen to your body’s vital organs. Therefore, it’s important to have good circulation in order for the red blood cells to do their part efficiently in your body. The following are ways to help improve your blood circulation, including: Exercise While most medical professionals recommend that patients obtain at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, exercise is also a great way to help promote good blood circulation. The best part is that it doesn’t even need to be anything complicated. Simple aerobic exercises like walking or hiking are great ways to help improve your body’s blood flow. If you are looking for a place to walk other than your neighborhood or local gym, why not give one of the city of Sevierville’s walking trails/greenways a try? In addition to aerobic exercises, bouncing can also help to improve blood circulation. According to NASAs Journal of Applied Physiology, rebounding exercise is 68 percent more efficient than jogging for boosting fitness, which helps to improve your circulation. Therefore, the next time your children ask for a trampoline for Christmas or asking to go to TopJump Trampoline Park and Climbing Center over the weekend, you might want to consider saying, “Yes!” Drink Tea While green tea improves brain function and weight loss, teas that are rich in antioxidants can not only improve blood flow but also lower a person’s risk of heart disease, too! Add Iron-Rich Foods to Your Diet The World Health Organization states that low iron is one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies. And, since iron is necessary to help transport oxygen through your blood, it’s vital to maintain healthy iron levels. Try adding red meat and dark, leafy green vegetables to your diet. Whole-grain cereals can help improve your iron levels, too. Stop Smoking When you smoke, you’re not only allowing tobacco to hurt your lungs, you’re permitting the chemicals in cigarettes to damage your blood cells, too. As a result, your body’s ability to circulate blood effectively and efficiently can also be impacted. The best way to prevent tobacco from damaging your blood circulation is to stop smoking. Not only will this immediately improve your blood circulation, it will also help to decrease your risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Are you worried you may be suffering from an iron deficiency? Are you considering starting a new exercise routine to help increase blood flow? Talk to a physician at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville who can order blood tests in our state-of-the-art lab to see if your iron levels are in the normal range, as well as give you exercise tips on how to stay safe and injury-free during a workout.
