Tips for the legs – our veins in winter
Fresh temperatures in the winter relieve stress on the legs. The muscles and veins constrict due to the cold. This is a natural protective function: the lower surface area loses less heat, so that our body does not cool down too much. The narrower diameters of our veins cause the blood to circulate better and faster. Patients with venous disorders can spend an active winter on their feet, if they wear compression garments and suitable clothing.
Patients with venous disorders should choose trousers and footwear that are not too tight. Shoes can be left at work to avoid having to wear winter boots all day long. Heated seats and floor heating or hot-water bottles make the legs tired and can aggravate symptoms in patients with venous disorders.
Rain and snow dampen our enthusiasm for sporting activities and the couch beckons. However, outdoor physical activities in winter are twice as good for our veins. Because: in addition to the vein-friendly cool temperatures, walks in the snow also activate the muscle pumps. These squeeze the veins together with every step and accelerate the blood flow from the feet up to the heart.
Dry skin – patients with venous disease and oedema are often affected.
Healthy skin is elastic, smooth and hard-wearing. As the saying goes, we feel comfortable in our own skin. But many factors stress our largest organ. In winter, it's the combination of the cold outdoors and the dry heated air at home that stresses the skin.
Rich, moisturising products are recommended for dry skin. Besides the right care, your diet can also influence the condition of your skin – both positively and negatively. Extra tip: drink plenty of fluids! By drinking enough water, we help our skin to fill its fluid storage reservoir. You should drink about one and a half to two litres a day.
Since patients with venous problems and oedema often have sensitive skin, medi has developed special care products e.g. medi day and medi night. The gel is also suitable for very sensitive skin. The rich ingredients are matched to the needs of patients with venous and oedematous disorders, who wear compression stockings. The soothing care for the skin and the feet pampers the skin, refreshes it and supplies it with moisture.
Relaxation and regeneration: progressive muscle relaxation
Since the body expends more energy in the cold season, relaxation and regeneration are now more important than ever. Make sure you get enough sleep and relax with a good book, in a hot tub or with a cup of tea. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation have proved to be particularly effective. The exercises can be done either sitting or lying down. But it is important that you feel relaxed thereby.
- Clench your right hand into a fist and contract all the muscles in your right arm – now relax again and concentrate on the relaxation.
- Repeat the exercise with your left arm.
- Furrow your brow and raise your eyebrows – then relax your forehead muscles again.
- Close your eyes tightly and roll your eyeballs to and fro – then relax the eye muscles again.
- Jut your lower jaw forwards – relax the lower jaw muscles again.
- Hold your back straight and bend your neck towards your chest –
then pull it back up again. - Raise your shoulders – then let them fall again. Concentrate on how the warmth spreads around your body and enjoy the relaxation.
Boost your immune system with the right diet
Eat traditional winter vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots and beetroot. These supply us with fresh vitamins. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, while vitamin E protects and revitalises the cells and can prevent infections by interacting with other micronutrients. Plenty to drink saves the mucous membranes from drying out and strengthens our natural resistance.