How Are Stress and Varicose Veins Connected?

These days, people experience stress more than ever. A survey reveals that 75% of adults have experienced high levels of stress recently. If not treated on time, stress can cause emotional, mental, and physical health problems, including varicose veins. From this article, you can learn how stress can worsen your vein symptoms. 

Circulation Issues

Stress affects blood circulation by increasing your blood pressure, which increases the pressure on your veins. Lower your stress levels to get relief from these issues. Increased stress worsens the pressure on your veins, impacting blood circulation and causing the blood to pool in the veins. If the blood flow continues to slow down, your legs will become swollen and severely painful.

Additionally, stress is likely to prevent people from exercising regularly. Regular workouts are critical when dealing with varicose veins. Remaining sedentary for a long duration is extremely harmful to your vein health. Sitting and standing continuously for several hours can put pressure on the veins that they are not equipped to handle.

Weight Gain

Stress is also associated with weight gain. Stress hormones (cortisol) increase your blood sugar levels so you can have more energy to deal with stressful situations. However, this works when you experience smaller or short-term stress issues. 

Prolonged stress can increase your cortisol levels, which may cause you to consume more food and gain weight. The pressure from the additional weight on your veins causes varicose veins. 

It can be difficult for people who are obese to detect their damaged or swollen veins. They will discover they have varicose veins only when the condition starts to affect their skin. 

How to Reduce Your Stress

Controlling your stress levels can help relieve your vein problems and keep them healthy. Here are a few ways to reduce or control your stress:

• Exercising 30 minutes every day can relieve your stress. You do not need to perform intense workouts. Even a simple walk around your neighborhood can reduce your stress and help you feel better.
• Eat foods that decrease stress hormones. This includes whole-grain bread, cereals, pasta, banana, avocado, carrot, yogurt, etc. 
• Quit smoking and limit your alcohol consumption.
• Practice relaxation techniques (for example: yoga and meditation)
• Listen to music, watch a movie, or play with your kids.
• Set realistic goals and expectations. It is good to understand being fully successful at everything at once may not always be possible. 
• Do not try to control the uncontrollable factors. 
• Be assertive and say no to requests that would increase stress in your life. 
• Get enough rest and sleep. 
• Make time for hobbies and interests. 

If you are looking for result-oriented and affordable varicose vein treatment in Johns Creek, contact or schedule an appointment with North Atlanta Vascular and Vein Center.