Yes, 2026 is officially here! And like many people, you may still be finalizing your New Year’s resolutions.
After all, it’s the perfect time to commit to healthier habits, especially when it comes to your veins. Whether you’re dealing with varicose veins, leg swelling, or just want to protect your vascular health, small choices you make daily can make a big difference.
Our providers at Vascular Specialists in Tinley Park, Illinois, can help you strengthen your circulation, prevent complications, and feel more confident in your body year-round. To help you kick off the new year, we share five simple resolutions here that can set your veins up for success.
Movement is a not-so-secret tool for healthy veins. When you walk, bike, or stretch, your calf muscles act like pumps. They literally push blood back toward your heart and prevent it from pooling in your legs. This is why your calf muscles are sometimes referred to as your second heart.
Try adding:
Even small steps (literally!) can improve circulation and lower your risk of varicose veins and blood clots.
Turn it into a resolution: Find at least one way to add more movement to your day. You might say, “Set a timer and take a walking break once an hour at work” or “Walk every day after dinner.”
It’s not uncommon to make a resolution about what you eat. While most food-related resolutions have to do with dieting and weight loss, yours can be about your veins — because what you eat affects your vascular health more than you may think.
High-fiber foods help prevent constipation, which reduces pressure on your veins, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables support strong vessel walls.
Focus on incorporating:
When you fill your plate with foods that support good vascular health, you help lower your risk of issues like high blood pressure and plaque buildup.
Along with choosing heart- and vein-friendly foods, make it a goal to limit the ones that can harm your vascular system. Processed foods high in sodium, added sugars, or unhealthy fats can contribute to inflammation and poor circulation.
Turn it into a resolution: “Eating more fruits and veggies” is vague, so be specific. You might try, “Eat two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables per day.”
If you stand or sit for long periods, or if you already have varicose veins, compression stockings can be a game-changer. These specially designed garments gently squeeze your legs to help blood flow upward instead of pooling.
Compression can help:
They’re an easy, noninvasive way to support your circulation daily.
Turn it into a resolution: If our team recommends compression stockings, commit to wearing them exactly as prescribed.
Make it a habit to give your veins a break. Resting with your legs elevated above heart level encourages blood to drain effectively and reduces pressure inside your veins. This simple routine can ease swelling, soothe tired legs, and help prevent worsening of varicose veins.
Turn it into a resolution: Try it for 10-15 minutes a day while reading, scrolling, or watching TV.
Leg pain, swelling, heaviness, bulging veins, and nighttime cramps are not normal signs of aging. They’re early signs of vein disease — and the sooner you address them, the easier they are to treat.
At Vascular Specialists, our team uses in-office vascular ultrasounds to check the blood flow in your veins. Depending on the results of your physical exam and your diagnostic imaging, we may recommend treatments to address any underlying issues.
We offer non-surgical vein treatments, such as ablation, sclerotherapy, and VenaSeal®, that require little downtime.
Turn it into a resolution: Book your appointment this month. To get started, call 815-824-4406 or use our online scheduling system.
If you’re experiencing symptoms or simply want to prevent problems down the road, our team is here to help you start the new year strong. Contact a specialist at our Vein Care Institute in Tinley Park today.
