During winter, our bodies keep blood flowing to our core and vital organs, which may cause our hands and feet to get cold. Circulation during the winter months, what can you do?
Cold weather
Depending on where you live and what you do for a living, you will be exposed to cold weather. Prolonged exposure to cold weather increases the risk of frostbite, which leads to permanent damage to our hands and feet.
Women’s hands and feet cool faster, increasing their risk of cold-related injuries.
Staying warm
Circulation during the winter months, what can you do? Here are some tips for staying warm during the winter:
Wear the right clothes
To combat the freezing temperatures, it makes sense to wear something fitting for the occasion (you wouldn’t wear a coat on a hot summer day, would you?).
When you go outside, put on clothes that will protect you from the cold: hat, gloves, warms socks, and a warm coat.
It also helps to layer up as you can remove some layers once inside a warm place and you can easily put the layers back on when you decide to go outside.
However, don’t wear tight clothing that will restrict both your movements and your circulation. Protect your face and neck area by wearing a scarf or a turtleneck (or possibly both if it seems necessary).
Finally, if you’re inside your house and still feel the cold, wear socks, slippers, and a sweater to warm you up.
Exercise
One of the natural ways the body heats you up is through circulation, which is why people with poor circulation often feel cold hands and feet.
However, if you exercise daily, you can improve your blood flow and feel warmer.
Try doing a quick warm-up followed by jumping jacks, marching in place, wiggling your toes, and making circles with your feet.
If you’re feeling stiff fingers, make circles in the air with each of your fingers and made wide circles with your arms to get the blood moving.
Moreover, you will want to move around regularly and stretch or walk around every 30 minutes.
Heating tools
Try using heating tools such as an electric heating pad to help speed up the process.
These pads come in various shapes and sizes, each targeted for a different part of the body.
For example, to get your feet warm, place a heating pad on your lower back. This is also a great place for a heating pad if you simply want to relax at night.
These products work by helping the blood vessels dilate, allowing blood to flow properly to your legs and extremities.
Additionally, you can try things like holding warm objects like a hot drink, getting some quick massages and keeping warmers near you.
Other tips
Instead of wearing gloves, try wearing mittens and see if those work better for you. You can also use moist heat packs and paraffin wax on your hands and feet.
Finally, if you’re feeling cold, stay away from places with air conditioning or freezers like the frozen food section at the store.
If you’re looking for more, find out about biofeedback therapy or try a circulation supplement like L-arginine Plus.