Healthy Veins: 4 Tips for Staying Active When Working From Home

Working from home has become the new normal. As a result, our work days and routines look much different today than pre-pandemic ones. So what does that mean for vein health? Many people embrace the opportunity to work in their home office's comfortable and casual environment. Where sweatpants and slippers have become appropriate work attire. And saving time with no commute allows you to hit snooze a few extra times. But sometimes the more flexible structure of our new routine can cause us to be too lax in other areas— which may have a profound effect on our vein health.

One of the significant contributors to venous insufficiency is sedentary activity. Sitting for long periods can make varicose veins worse.  When working from home in a relaxed setting, we might not take advantage of opportunities to get up and move around as much. Yet, everything we need is likely at our fingertips. We don’t have the social aspect in our home office, where we can swing by a coworker's desk to chat. Moving about frequently helps to encourage better circulation and healthier blood flow. So, for optimal vein health, we must become more intentional about staying active when working from home. 

Vein Clinics

Venous insufficiency is the underlying cause of varicose and spider veins. Weak or damaged valves typically cause varicose veins in the veins. When the cardiovascular system works correctly, the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood delivered to the body through large vessels called arteries. Veins are responsible for returning the deoxygenated blood to the heart so the circulatory process can be repeated. When the veins fail to usher the blood back up toward the heart, the blood begins to pool in the veins. This causes the veins to appear enlarged, twisted, and bulging at the skin's surface. 

Experts predict remote work opportunities will continue to increase through 2023. So now is as good of a time as any to start creating new healthy habits. Daily practices promote optimal circulatory function and allow us to thrive in a home office environment. 

Vein clinics offer many minimally invasive and practical solutions to treat varicose veins. Lifestyle choices— like a proper diet and regular exercise— are essential to these treatments. Below are six tips to help you stay active when working from home. 

1. Prioritize Movement: Prolonged sitting and standing aggravate varicose veins. Try to get creative in finding ways in your routine that promote movement. For example, if you take phone calls often, consider making it a practice to walk around for the duration of the ring.
2. Schedule Workouts: Physical activity helps promote better blood circulation. For example, schedule a run in the morning or a brisk walk after lunch. Exercising at the beginning of your day or midday will help combat the “post-lunch slump.” A body in motion stays in motion.
3. Wear A Fitness Tracker: If you don’t already have one, consider investing in a fitness watch. These are great tools for the work-from-home professional. Tracking your movements and getting reminders can go a long way in creating and improving healthy habits.   

The Vein Center

Many factors contribute to healthy veins. Conservative therapies are always the first line of defense. Daily movement, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are vital in preventing and treating venous insufficiency symptoms. In addition, minimally invasive vein treatments can offer fast and effective results.  The BASS Vein Center is here to help. If you are interested in advice or treatment for your varicose veins, our vein experts stand by to get you on your way to optimal vein health. Contact BASS Vein Center for an appointment today!