Tired legs: habits that support circulation

4 November 2026

Long hours standing or sitting, little movement or the heat all show in your legs. We go over the habits that matter most for blood flow back to the heart.

The feeling of heavy legs at the end of the day is very common. It has to do with venous return: blood in the legs has to travel back up to the heart against gravity, helped by the valves in the veins and, above all, by the calf muscles.

What matters most

Keep moving. Walking is best: every step activates the calf "pump". If you work sitting down, get up every hour; if you work standing, shift your weight from one foot to the other and rise onto your toes now and then.
Raise your legs for a while at the end of the day, above the level of your heart.
Cool water. Finishing your shower with cold water on your legs, from the bottom up, feels pleasant.
Avoid direct heat: very hot baths, saunas or long periods in the sun.
Comfortable shoes, without high heels every day, and clothes that are not tight at the waist or groin.
A healthy weight and a fibre-rich diet, to avoid constipation.

When to see a doctor

If you notice swelling in only one leg, pain, redness or warmth in the area, or changes in the skin, see your doctor. Also if bulging veins appear or the discomfort gets worse.

Vitamin C and blood vessels

Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels. Fruit such as oranges, kiwis or strawberries, and vegetables such as peppers or broccoli, provide it in the diet.

VENOHELSE® is our food supplement designed for leg wellbeing. It contains horse chestnut, gotu kola, butcher's broom and red vine extracts, plus diosmin, rutin and vitamin C (20 mg per capsule). Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle: the habits above still come first. Your pharmacist can advise you.

DINHELSE PHARMA products are food supplements, not medicines. This information is for general guidance and does not replace the advice of a health professional.

Image: by Foto de Pixabay de Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/mujer-en-camisa-gris-durante-el-dia-37407/