Working On Winter Wellness: Top 3 Exercise Ideas For Vascular Health

As we round the bend into the heart of autumn, the weather is only going to continue to creep downward from here.

After all, winter is on the horizon. And as we become increasingly tempted to wrap up in piles of blankets and pajamas indoors, what does that mean for our fitness?

Particularly for patients with vascular conditions, maintaining an effective workout routine remains imperative. That’s why we’re here with our top three suggestions for attending to your wellness as winter sets in:

Rejuvenation Through Indoor Running

Particularly for those suffering from leg aches, pains, or numbness, the idea of trying to run regularly may sound daunting — and the frigid weather isn’t likely to warm them up to the idea, either. But what if we told you that simply getting your legs moving, no matter the pace, can help with your symptoms?

“You don’t have to be a triathlete to help your arteries stay young,” Harvard Health explains, “just 2–3 miles of brisk walking nearly every day is a giant step in the right direction.”

That being said, staying indoors while running in the winter isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s a matter of making sure you’re able to breathe properly, as well. And while some patients may have access to a gym or treadmill, others may find locally-operated indoor tracks to provide ample opportunity for movement.

Not only are entry rates for these establishments often lower compared to a traditional gym membership, but you’re also provided with more physical room to move than on a stagnant machine.

Sweet & Simple Indoor Swimming

According to Healthline, swimming is an optimal exercise for patients with vascular-related conditions, such as varicose veins, because the movement helps to “circulate the blood and exercise the calf muscles without the danger of physical injury.”

Winter in the Midwest, however, is less than hospitable if you plan on jumping into a body of water.

Thus, we recommend that you seek out an indoor swimming pool in your community. Not only will the water be kept warm and inviting, but the indoor climate of the building will also remain comfortable while allowing you the opportunity to socialize with other pool-goers if you desire.

And for those patients with other physical conditions, like arthritis, swimming also proves a more gentle and effective form of exercise as opposed to more impact-oriented activities.

Carrying On In A Yoga Class

Some patients find that workouts are more accessible with an instructor in front of them. And if you feel similarly, we encourage you to try taking a class in a yoga studio, as yoga’s ability to rejuvenate one’s blood flow has proven helpful for vein health.

“Yoga … thins the blood which can decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke, as they are often caused by blood clots,” studies show. “Twisting poses wring out venous blood from internal organs and allow oxygenated blood to flow in when the twist is released. Inverted poses encourage venous blood flow from the legs and pelvis back to the heart and then pumped through the lungs where it becomes freshly oxygenated.”

Moreover, once you become familiar with the poses and forms, you can continue a personal practice back at home.

Of course, if nagging vascular symptoms have proven a primary concern for you, you may have other questions that extend beyond mere exercise.

And if that’s the case, your solution is simple: call the Vascular Institute of the Midwest! We offer industry-leading patient care in a state-of-the-art outpatient clinic, where care, comfort, and collaboration coalesce.

So, are you ready to get a leg up on your vascular care? Then simply contact us today by calling 563-324-3818!