Get Better Sleep Without Nighttime Leg Pain

Get Better Sleep Without Nighttime Leg Pain

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Texas Vein & Wellness Institute

Everybody needs to sleep but sleep doesn’t always come easily. This can be especially true if you have leg pain caused by varicose veins. After a day spent standing or sitting, your legs might be cramping or aching making sleep nearly impossible. But don’t worry, we have some tips to help you get the best night of sleep that you deserve.

Sleep is restorative, meaning when you sleep it renews and heals your body. The best thing to start with is to block out lights and sounds and other distractions that might be preventing you from sleeping. In addition to that here are some other suggestions to ease the aches of varicose veins:

• Elevate your feet. You can do this by folding a blanket or putting a pillow underneath your mattress. It doesn’t have to big large, just enough to raise the foot of your bed about three or four inches. This helps relieve the pressure on the veins in your legs and lets gravity help move blood back to your heart.
• Take time to unwind. Many people are busy and active up until the moment they go to bed. Instead, start the bedtime process earlier. Take time to put your feet up and relax so your veins have a chance to calm down before you hit the hay. You may also want to give yourself a little leg massage to help increase circulation in your legs.
• Do some yoga. While we don’t recommend exercise too close to bedtime because it’ll likely keep you up, gentle stretches and yoga can help you to relax and improve blood flow.
• Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is essential to having healthy circulation. That being said, it’s important to be strategic about your water intake. It won’t help to drink a bunch of water before you go to sleep, instead stay hydrated all day long.