3)       Poor diet – Doritos and a processed meat sandwich again? Not good for the cumulative effect on your circulation. Top it off with alcohol after work and a few sugary and fatty snacks, and you’re heading for the top of the charts when it comes to risk factors. Increase your intake of Vitamin E, found in onions, garlic or olive oil, to help thin the blood. And eat healthier by working a salad, some beans or lentils, and fruit into your diet.

4)       Tight-fitting clothes – Yes, those skinny jeans may be in style, but you’re not an 18-year-old model anymore (and even if you are…). Clothes can constrict key areas of the body, leading to poor circulation and the dreaded muffin top around the waist.

5)       Stressing the small stuff – We all know that stress puts a burden on the body and can restrict blood flow when your muscles start to develop knots. But there’s no need to go haywire when the vending machine eats your quarter. Better to learn to let it go and work hard on some de-stressing activities like meditation or yoga.

6)       Taking certain medications – Certain over-the-counter cold remedies contain pseudoephedrine, a substance that can constrict blood vessels. It’s found in Aleve Sinus & Headache, Claritin-D, Sudafed, Tylenol Cold and other leading name brands. Cut back on your use of these products for minor cold symptoms.

7)       Blandness – Maybe you come from a European culture where spices are not widely used. A diet that’s absent such stimulation is missing out on a key circulation booster. Don’t be afraid to add chili, ginger, garlic, mustard or curry to your foods. It’s also not a bad idea to have the occasional ginger, honey and fresh-squeezed lemon hot toddy.