How Compression Socks Make the Workday More Comfortable
Recent studies have shown that desk jobs are on the rise as some of the most detrimental careers to the health and well-being of US citizens. Long periods of sedentary work creates a host of conditions that are detrimental to office workers’ health due to lack of circulation and exercise. Slipping on a pair of the proper compression socks before heading to work is one of the best ways to keep circulatory problems and leg pain cornered.
Desk Jobs and Your Physical Health
People with 9-5 desk jobs are at a higher risk for medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer and heart attack due to lack of physical activity. Sitting for more than 2 hours at a time has been proven to reduce the body’s ability for proper circulation, causing a variety of health problems. Compression socks are a great tool for combatting many of the negative side effects, including:
Heightened Risk of Blood Clots
Especially for those with pre-existing circulatory issues or conditions such as diabetes, sitting at a desk all day can put you at a higher risk for blood clots and pulmonary embolisms. However, these can even occur in individuals without these conditions due to lack of movement while seated behind a computer screen. Compression socks gently apply pressure to the feet and legs, increasing circulation and thereby lessening the risk of blood clots.
Feelings of Fatigue and Exhaustion
If you find yourself reaching for an extra cup of coffee during the workday, it could be due to poor circulation. Sitting at a desk for 8 or more hours causes insufficient blood flow through the body, which makes it more difficult for the body to deliver the necessary oxygen and nutrients where it’s needed. This can hinder one’s metabolism and causes the body to go into preservation mode in order to use as little energy as possible. The increased blood flow that compression socks deliver helps to combat these feelings of midday fatigue.
Swelling of the Legs and Ankles
For many workers, edema can occur by the time it’s time to go home for the day. Edema is the medical term for swelling within the lower extremities and is caused by poor circulation. This type of swelling is a nuisance causing skin to feel warm and tight and joint pain. Wearing compression socks helps to keep the blood from pooling in your legs and keeps swelling at bay.
Achy Legs and Muscle Cramps
Have you ever been sitting at your desk and noticed your legs feeling achy for no reason? That’s because a lack of movement restricts blood flow, which causes muscle soreness. As we mentioned above, poor circulation makes it harder for the body to deliver the proper nutrients where it’s needed. In addition to causing fatigue, this also leads to stiffness and cramping in the legs and feet.
If you have a 9-5 desk job, it’s not easy to avoid sitting for most of the day. That’s why taking the right precautions is so important to your overall health. By slipping into a pair of compression socks before you take on the workday, you can fight back and keep your blood pumping for a comfortable shift.
