Social distancing and business closures have meant that the usual things that get you out of the house and moving are temporarily put on hold. In our hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, exercise classes are canceled, gyms are closed, and even as stores slowly begin to reopen, the average person’s daily routine is a lot less active than it used to be.
This inactivity can have an impact on the health — and look — of your legs. If you find that you suddenly have pale, sick-looking legs, weaker legs, or are seeing what appear to be the beginnings of a varicose vein, this period of quarantine may be a wake up call for you to take your vein health more seriously. Here’s how.
Can Where (and How) I Work Affect How My Legs Look?
Absolutely. While at your office, you’ve probably found ways to optimize your work environment to make your workday more comfortable; you’ve made sure you have enough leg room, that your chair is probably adjusted, and that everything you need is within walking distance so you can better complete your tasks for the day.
Your newfound home workspace probably wasn’t designed with the same care. Working at the kitchen table or while sitting in bed may provide a temporary solution, but it also presents a range of issues. There’s not enough space to spread out. Everything you need is within arm’s reach, meaning you do not need to move for most of the day. And if you’ve settled into your home workspace completely, you might not need to move from the time you wake up until the moment you fall asleep.
These issues create a perfect storm that weakens your legs and, potentially, leads to issues down the line.
How Do I Make My Legs Look Healthier?
There’s a reason people say exercise is important, but don’t worry — we’re not talking about daily runs or the heavy sweat you might occasionally work up in your makeshift home gym.
Leg vein health maintenance is a lot easier — and a lot less strenuous. You can improve your circulation by moving your legs in a variety of ways, including toe stretching exercises and simple home workouts. However, the easiest way to get blood circulating through the leg veins is walking.
If possible, go for a brief walk at some point during your workday. Don’t bring lunch into the office; instead, make a point to walk to the kitchen and stand while preparing your meal. Do simple stretches in between phone calls. These are just a few suggestions, but the exercise opportunities here are nearly endless.
Of course, if you want your legs to look more toned, the best way to accomplish that is a mix of diet and more rigorous exercise.
If varicose veins are your concern, diet and exercise are still your best bet — though, as we’ve previously detailed, doing things like elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings might decrease the likelihood that you’ll develop varicose veins.
I See A Varicose Vein Forming — What Can I Do?
First, we should stress that while some medical issues can arise from varicose veins, they usually are more of a nuisance than a serious medical concern.
However, that doesn’t mean they can’t cause discomfort. Varicose veins can burn, itch, cause soreness, and do everything in between. Not only that, but they can be unsightly, which in turns causes the afflicted to feel embarrassed of the way their legs look.
If the varicose vein has already appeared, there’s nothing that can be done about it besides having it taken care of by a vein specialist. Getting a vein treated by specialists like ourselves is incredibly quick and easy, and the overwhelming majority of people who receive treatment from us can return to their normal lives within the same day.
While practices like ours have been shaken up by the current crisis, we are still seeing emergency patients, and for our non-emergency clients, we’re answering any question they might have while offering a free phone screening and virtual visit. If you’re interested, give us a call today at (262) 476-4900.