As soon as the sunny days and the heat return, we rediscover summer ailments: sunburn, unsightly heat rash, excessive sweating, etc. And of course, our problems with poor blood circulation are waking up again with a feeling of heavy legs! So, of course, we can rely on natural remedies to prevent and treat discomfort. Horse chestnut, broom (or holly), red vine, witch hazel… there is no shortage of effective plants against circulatory disorders. You can also bring out your compression stockings which are not reserved for grandmother! However, in case of discomfort, heaviness and swelling, right now, right away, we don’t always know how to soothe them expressly. Here are SOS natural remedies for immediate relief from unpleasant heavy legs.
1) The cold, the cold, the cold!
When you regularly feel like you’re dragging around your calves, it’s not a good idea to expose them too much to the sun or take even lukewarm baths or too hot showers. Unlike heat, cold is a vasoconstrictor. It therefore allows stimulate blood circulation and tighten blood capillaries. To quickly soothe your blood vessels, head to the shower to massage yourself from your calves to your thighs with cool water, or even cold water. If possible, program the jet to the strongest diffusion mode. Additionally, you can keep a hot water bottle or ice pack in the freezer. In case of heavy, swollen or tired legs, place it under the sole of your foot for a few minutes.
2) The right foot bath for immediate relief from heavy legs
For some, walking in sea water is the ultimate way to relieve themselves. However, not everyone has the ocean nearby to enjoy it or all the leisure to go there whenever they want! In this case, a simple cool foot bath in cool water with a handful of coarse sea salt may be enough. This iodized water tightens blood vessels and restores pressure in the legs. After 15 to 20 minutes, you will already have light legs again. You can also use essential oils, but this will not be suitable for pregnant women. Pour 10 drops of cypress essential oil and 5 drops of lemon essential oil into your basin of cold water to relax in.
3) A well-deserved massage
A good massage will restart blood circulation gently to find more lightness! To do this, choose aloe vera gel or vegetable oil. Coconut oil or avocado oil, for example, are excellent for penetrating the skin without making it too greasy. If possible, add 2 or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil. It stimulates blood circulation, refreshes and fights heavy legs for immediate relief. To do this, make the right movement: start from the feet and move up the leg using circular movements. And above all, pay particular attention to painful calves. Do not massage yourself never up and downbecause it will not improve your circulation. We therefore always massage towards the heart!
4) Complete treatment to use as soon as necessary
Here is a more complete recipe for massaging and finding immediate relief from the feeling of heavy legs. If you frequently suffer from this conditionkeep a bottle on hand at all times! First, gather the ingredients: 50 ml of pure aloe vera gel and 20 drops of each of these lemon, peppermint, cypress and Atlas cedar essential oils (or 80 drops in total). Mix your oils and gel then let sit in the bottle overnight. Your treatment will be ready to use, especially after the shower. Massage it from bottom to top as explained earlier and do not hesitate to move it up to the stomach. It is indeed also an excellent anti-cellulite treatment !
How to prevent the feeling of heavy legs on a daily basis?
While knowing how to relieve discomfort is important, prevention is even more essential. This can be done through good daily habits, in particular through a targeted diet and easy reflexes.
Adopt good posture
When you sit or stand in the same position for long periods of time, it can cause stagnation of blood in the legswhich will cause a feeling of heaviness. To avoid this, it is important to change position regularly and take breaks to move and stretch your legs. If you work at a desk, also make sure you have an ergonomic chair that supports your back and legs in a comfortable position. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest, and make sure your knees are at the same height as your hips or slightly lower.
For those who must stand for a long time, such as retail workers or teachers, try distributing your weight on both feet and changing positions regularly by shifting your weight from one leg to the other.
Wear comfortable clothes
Tight clothing, especially around the waist, thighs and calves, can restrict blood circulation in the legs, which can make the feeling of heavy legs worse. So opt instead for loose, comfortable clothing which allow good blood circulation. If you must wear tight-fitting clothing for any reason, make sure they are not not too tight and do not cut off circulation. Also avoid wearing belts that are too tight around the waist. During rest periods, finally favor loose and comfortable sleepwear which allow your body to completely relax and promote optimal blood circulation during sleep.
Exercise regularly
L’physical exercise is crucial for maintaining good blood circulation throughout the body, including the legs. THE activities that use the leg musclessuch as walking, swimming, cycling or dancing, promote venous return and help prevent the feeling of heavy legs. So try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into your daily routine. This can be in the form of structured workouts or simply by integrating more physical activity into your daily activitieslike taking the stairs instead of the elevator, getting off a bus stop early, or taking a walk during your lunch break.
Muscle-strengthening exercises, especially those that target the leg muscles, such as squats, lunges, and calf raises, can also help improve blood circulation and reduce the feeling of heaviness in the legs.
Other useful tips against heavy legs
When you are sitting or lying down, elevate your legs to promote venous return. You can use a pillow or footrest to support your legs.
Additionally, make sure to drink enough water throughout the day to maintain good blood circulation and avoid foods that make the phenomenon worse.
Also avoid prolonged hot baths, hot showers or saunas, as heat can worsen the feeling of heavy legs.
Also be aware that relaxation can help reduce stress which can worsen blood circulation problems. It may therefore be relevant to try meditation, deep breathing or yoga.
Finally, if nothing helps, don’t hesitate to wear compression stockings. These can help improve blood circulation in the legs by applying graduated pressure.