It’s that time of year when everyone is busily drawing up their list of New Year’s resolutions, committing to making the next 12 months better, healthier and happier than the last. No doubt some of the most frequently listed goals are among your own – and some of them can help you avoid varicose veins and spider veins, leaving you with a gorgeous set of gams.
“You can’t always prevent varicose veins or spider veins,” Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George, founder of the St. Johns Vein Center says. “But certain lifestyle choices can help reduce your chances of getting new varicose or spider veins and help alleviate discomfort from the ones you already have.”
Prevent Varicose and Spider Veins
To help keep your legs strong, smooth and beautiful, make sure these New Year’s resolutions are on your list:
- Resolve to reach and maintain a healthy weight: This helps you avoid putting too much pressure on your legs. Not only does that help avoid spider and varicose veins, but it also will help keep your knees strong.
- Resolve to exercise daily: Choose exercises or activities that strengthen your legs and veins and improve circulation. Walking, running, dancing and rock climbing are great choices, especially if you’d rather skip the gym.
- Resolve to eat better: A low-sodium, high-fiber diet will help reduce the chances of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins, and control the unsightly and uncomfortable swelling that often accompanies varicose veins.
- Resolve to protect your skin: A good slathering of sunscreen before you leave the house each morning can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and limit the spider veins that sun damage on your face can cause.
