How many times growing up did you hear your parents, grandparents, or teachers tell you, “Stop fidgeting”? Their hearts may have been in the right place, as they wanted you to pay attention or show some self-discipline, but it turns out fidgeting could be doing you good. Those small movements could not only save your life but also prevent stroke or heart attack.
Picture yourself sitting at your computer, just scrolling through Facebook or typing an email, and suddenly your face and arm go numb and your speech becomes slurred. You’re experiencing a stroke, and it may have been prevented if you had just fidgeted a little more.
A study conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia found that fidgeting can keep leg veins healthier during long periods of sitting. The researchers asked healthy men and women to sit for three hours, and during that time, they were instructed to fidget one leg intermittently by tapping their foot for one minute and then resting it for four minutes. In the meantime, the other leg remained still.
At the end of the three-hour period, the researchers compared the blood flow in each leg. They found that the leg that had been moving on and off during those hours had significantly better blood flow than the still leg. This increased blood flow means healthier veins and arteries, and this means a smaller chance of experiencing a stroke or heart attack.
Be conscious of your blood flow
You don’t want your artery and vein health to slip away from you, because it can happen fast, regardless of your age or physical health. Another study demonstrated that after only three hours of sitting, leg artery function was significantly reduced in healthy children. Think about the damage it could be doing to you with more miles under your belt.
While sitting at your computer, watching TV, or traveling, make a concerted effort to fidget as much as possible. Tap your foot, wiggle your toes, raise and lower your heels, and tighten and release your calf muscles—do any movement to keep your blood flowing. Your parents won’t mind, particularly if it improves your health.
Other ways to keep veins and arteries healthy
There are several other methods you can use to maintain healthy leg veins and arteries, including:
- Make sure to stand up and walk around for a couple of minutes every two to three hours. Last year, researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that a short ten-minute walk is enough to restore vascular function after sitting for six hours.
- Try taking a daily turmeric curcumin supplement. A 2012 study discovered that taking this supplement daily can vastly improve blood vessel function, potentially as much as an hour of exercise.
- Prioritize regular exercise. When you’re not at your desk or lying on the couch, make time for daily exercise. Moderate exercise for one hour per day can counteract the negative health impacts of prolonged sitting.
- Drink plenty of the superjuice that keeps your arteries loose.
Improving your leg blood flow doesn’t require dramatic lifestyle changes. You can simply implement small changes—just as you can change your diet to provide necessary nutrients or take supplements—to aid in preventing severe health problems like stroke or heart attacks. So remember, the next time you’re sitting for a long period: fidget, stand and stretch every few hours, and try taking supplements. Making a conscious effort to maintain healthy blood flow can be crucial to your overall health.
