*This is a collaborative post.
As we get older, our legs can start to experience wear and tear. This not only leads to our legs looking less attractive, but also can lead to mobility issues and aches. Some of the conditions that can affect our legs as a result of not looking after them include:
- Varicose veins
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Eczema
- Arthritis
- Muscle atrophy
How can you look after your legs and prevent these health conditions? Below are 7 different solutions.
Keep your legs moving
Regular exercise is key to promoting good circulation. It is also important for burning excess fat and building muscle in your legs. Fail to move your legs enough and you could experience a range of leg issues.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle, consider making a conscious effort to be more physically active. Don’t eat lunch at your desk or in your vehicle – if you sit down all day for work, use your breaks to be active. During binges of TV shows, you can meanwhile consider doing exercises in front of the TV. Occasionally doing leg workouts will meanwhile help to strengthen your legs and keep them looking luscious.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight puts lots of strain on your leg joints. This can lead to an increased risk of arthritis in the hips and knees. Circulatory issues are also more common in people who are overweight.
Exercise is one of the best ways to lose weight. However, diet is also important. There are various other things you can do to fight weight loss too such as trying weight loss injections or trying weight loss pills (just make sure you’re also exercising and eating well).
Wear comfortable shoes
Regularly wearing uncomfortable shoes like high heels can also damage your joints. When exercising, it’s also important to wear proper shoes to provide the right support.
Think carefully about the footwear you choose to wear. If you often wear heels, consider switching to flats more often. When getting serious about a sport, you should meanwhile consider what types of specialist footwear are available (a good pair of running shoes is essential while running).
Avoid prolonged standing
It’s not just sitting down too long that can damage your legs. Standing up for too long can impede blood flow and may increase the risk of conditions like varicose veins. You may end up having to consider varicose vein treatment as a result.
If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods, make sure to sit down on your break to rest your legs. Moving around can also help you to maintain good circulation – don’t just stand still in the same place.
Quit smoking
Smoking is bad for just about every part of your body – including your legs. It restricts circulation and can lead to a condition known as ‘smoker’s leg’ or ‘peripheral arterial disease (PAD)’. This can cause leg pain and swelling and may even lead to you losing your leg if you do not seek treatment.
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but there are lots of different methods you can try. Make sure that you are trying different ways of quitting smoking to see which one is most effective. This could include trying vaping, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and hypnosis.
Moisturize your legs
Our legs can dry and wrinkly as we get older. This is a natural part of ageing, however you can delay it by getting into the habit of moisturizing your legs every day.
When is the best time to moisturize your legs? Straight after a bath or a shower. This helps to trap moisture in your skin and keeps your legs smooth.
Know when to see a doctor
Getting treatment for certain leg conditions early can help to prevent long-term permanent damage. Don’t ignore unusual aches, swelling, redness or loss of sensation. These can all be potential signs of something serious.
A doctor will be able to take a look at symptoms and run tests to determine if there is cause for concern. Not all conditions can be easily treated. For example, there may not be much you can do about certain types of arthritis.
Conclusion
There are many things that you can do to look after your legs. Things like exercising, maintaining a good diet and quitting smoking can be beneficial to your entire physical health. Other measures you can take that are more specific to your legs include wearing comfortable shoes and avoiding standing for too long.
