Splashing Hot Sauce On Your Food Could Improve Your Circulation

Besides helping you stand and walk, your legs are major circulation centers.

Together with your heart and the other blood vessels in your body, they keep your blood moving and oxygen and nutrients flowing.

And obviously, your legs need those things to remain healthy, strong, and functional.

Poor circulation in the legs is usually characterized by numbness, tingling, swelling of the legs and ankles, and coldness of the feet.

Muscle cramps and weakness are also signs of poor circulation, as are varicose veins, which occur when blood collects in the veins rather than getting pumped back up to the heart.

More seriously, poor circulation in the legs can lead to lack of blood flow to the organs, including the heart and the brain, and can result in vessel blockage and deep vein thrombosis.

If you sit at a desk like many people, try not to stay sitting for too long. You can try alternating sitting and standing as you work, or take frequent breaks to get up and move around.

If you have trouble remembering to do this, try setting an alarm on your phone or computer to remind you to get up and do a lap.

While sitting, try stretching your legs out in front of you, or circling your feet.

But be aware: standing for too long can do damage, too! Your best bet is to switch your position throughout the day.

This isn't even so much about breaking a sweat as it is about getting your heart pumping and your blood moving.

The best options are the simplest ones. Walk around the block. Take the stairs when you can. Dance in the living room to your favorite song. The possibilities are endless!

You know how nice and rosy you get after a hot shower. That's because heat encourages circulation by dilating blood vessels, so use it to your advantage.

A nice steamy shower is also great for relaxing the muscles, which also helps blood flow more freely and is fantastically relaxing, especially after a long day!

Crank the heat in the shower when it's comfortable to do so, and your legs will thank you.

Dry-brushing is a technique designed to boost blood flow throughout your whole body.

Using a dry bristle brush, sweeping strokes are made on the skin, usually toward the heart. The pleasantly scratchy sensation feels great, and it also wakes up blood vessels close to the skin.

As an added bonus? It's great for sloughing off dead skin and giving your skin a healthy glow!

Spicy food is great for boosting circulation (and clearing out your sinuses!), and there are some spices in particular that are great for circulatory health.

Turmeric has a compound called curcumin that prevents clots and plaque from building up in the arteries, and cayenne's capsaicin stimulates blood flow, especially to the organs.

Cayenne is also great for relieving the pain and numbness that can come with poor circulation.

Garlic and onions also contain a chemical called allicin, which thins the blood and helps prevent clotting.

Compression socks and stockings are great for relieving swollen and painful veins, and are an especially good idea if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

And if you're worried about looking good, don't worry. Compression socks and stockings look just like regular opaque tights and socks, so you'll still look cute.

If you're on your feet all day, comfortable shoes are also a must!

The antioxidants in green tea are great for your whole body, but they also work to relax and dilate the arteries and increase blood flow.

Try having a cup of green tea in the morning. The caffeine will give you a small boost (not as severe as coffee), and you'll be doing your body well, too.

At the end of a long day, there's nothing like a massage. But there's no need to shell out money at a spa — you can do this right at home (or maybe get a certain significant other to do it for you).

Using some olive or coconut oil for added smoothness, gently but firmly rub your legs, ankles, and feet. As with dry-brushing, keep the strokes going toward the heart.

This will relax your muscles and help dilate your blood vessels, and will also help with lymphatic drainage and swelling reduction. Plus, it feels great!

As it turns out, chocolate is your friend when it comes to circulation. Dark chocolate is great for encouraging blood flow to the legs, a study by the American Heart Association found.

The one guideline? Milk chocolate doesn't count. For chocolate to be effective, it has to be dark chocolate with 70 percent or more cocoa.

So, to improve circulation, nibble a small piece of chocolate daily. We think most people can shoulder this great responsibility.

SHARE these important tips for keeping your legs, as well as the rest of yourself, healthy and happy with everyone you know!