Summer in New York makes it easier to move more.
That’s good news for your veins because healthy circulation depends on movement. Your leg veins work against gravity to move blood back toward your heart, and your calf muscles help pump that blood upward.
When you stay active, you support your legs’ natural pumping system and reduce the pressure that can contribute to swelling, heaviness, and varicose vein symptoms.
This month, Dr. David T. Jacobs and the South Shore Vein and Aesthetic Medicine team share six fun summer activities that are great for your circulation.
If you’ve been walking on the treadmill all winter, now is your time to get back outside. Each step you take activates your calf muscles, which helps push blood out of your lower legs and back toward your heart.
Whether you’re walking through your neighborhood after dinner, spending the day near the South Shore, or enjoying summer events around Rockville Centre, the reality is that walking is an easy (and free!) way to help support circulation and reduce that heavy-leg feeling.
Swimming is a full-body exercise that supports healthy circulation, and there are many ways you can participate in this summer activity:
Pool workouts help you stay active without overheating in the summer sun.
Biking helps activate the muscles that support venous return. Cycling can strengthen your legs without placing as much impact on your feet and knees as running.
Where to get started? Nearby options like Hempstead Lake State Park routes give you a low-impact way to keep your legs moving and support healthy circulation.
Jones Beach Bikeway is another well-known Long Island option, especially for a summer coastal ride. Bethpage Bikeway is a longer Long Island trail, about 15 miles, that runs through multiple parks.
Gardening may not look like a workout, but it can definitely count toward your weekly exercise goal of 150 minutes!
Walking around your yard, squatting, standing, and even carrying light tools all help keep your blood moving.
Just don’t stay stuck in one posture too long. If you’re kneeling or crouching for a while, stand up, stretch your calves, and take a short walk every few minutes.
Regardless of the season, yoga can help reduce muscle tightness and support healthy blood flow. Yoga outside is also a fun summer activity.
Yoga positions that engage your calves, hamstrings, hips, and ankles can be especially helpful if you sit or stand for long periods.
Avoid positions that feel uncomfortable or cut off circulation, and choose a shaded or cool location to avoid heat-related swelling.
Fun outdoor yoga variations for summer include goat yoga, puppy yoga, and couples’ yoga.
If you enjoy nature, hiking is a great way to boost circulation. Uneven ground challenges your leg muscles and balance, while steady walking helps activate the calf pump.
Choose trails that match your fitness level, wear supportive shoes, and bring water.
For light hiking, Olana State Historic Site offers scenic carriage roads and walking trails with views of the Hudson Valley. It’s a great low-impact way to keep your legs moving without tackling a strenuous mountain hike.
The main Olana State Historic Site Trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop with about 100 feet of elevation gain, and the longer Olana Historic Site Loop is about 4.2 miles with 482 feet of gain.
Feeling adventurous? Plan a hike upstate in the Adirondacks!
New York summers can be humid, and that heat can worsen vein symptoms. Warm temperatures cause blood vessels to widen, which may increase swelling, especially if you already have varicose veins or venous insufficiency.
If Dr. Jacobs has recommended compression stockings, wear them during longer walks, flights, road trips, or events where you’ll be on your feet.
If your legs still feel heavy, swollen, or painful despite staying active, schedule a visit to get answers and explore your treatment options.
We can identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment options to improve both comfort and circulation.
You can also reach us at 516-865-1234.
