Look and feel younger with better circulation!

You probably never think about circulation, even though it’s vital to your heart, energy and skin. With age, however, circulation starts to lag, so it’s great to know that a few easy steps can get your blood pumping as efficiently as it did when you were years younger!

Exercise intensely for four minutes

That’s all it takes to get your blood flowing more rapidly! In fact, a recent Norwegian study reveals it boosts circulation as effectively as a 16-minute workout! Other research found that seniors who did these short workouts twice weekly had skin that appeared decades younger than sedentary folks, thanks to an uptick in nourishing blood flow to the skin. Set your timer for four minutes, then get moving by jogging in place or doing some quick squats or jumping jacks.

Beautify with antioxidants

One common, unwanted result of poor circulation: spider and varicose veins! Fortunately, you can fight off the free radicals that stiffen veins and inhibit blood flow by loading up on two super-antioxidants, diosmin and resveratrol. “Both boost circulation and heal damage to the blood vessels, including varicose veins,” says naturopath Michelle Schoffro Cook, PH.D., D.N.M. To amp up your diosmin intake, eat more citrus, such as lemons and oranges. For a boost in resveratrol, drink red wine or eat red or purple grapes. Prefer a supplement? Consider taking Reserveage Beautiful Legs, $28.49, Vitaminshoppe.com.

Ease stress with a deep-breathing trick

“Breathing deeply reduces stress hormones within sixty seconds,” says Schoffro Cook. Great news since cortisol can make blood vessels constrict and blood pressure skyrocket! Her Rx: a deep-breathing trick called Lucky 7. Simply inhale through your nose as you count to seven. Hold that breath in your lungs for another seven seconds, then slowly exhale to a count of seven. Repeat three to nine times daily anytime, anywhere, even while waiting in line at the grocery store or watching TV.

Up blood flow with garlic

Research reveals that garlic boosts circulation, even when you’re at rest! In fact, the Journal of Biochemistry reports that simply taking a 600-mg. garlic supplement, or 1 tsp. minced fresh garlic, daily significantly increases blood flow within a week.

KO clots with parsley

Turns out, parsley is an all-natural blood thinner, which makes it one of the best herbs for stimulating the circulatory system!