Your feet have a big job holding up your entire body and propelling it through each and every day, yet many people never give their feet a second thought.
This is unfortunate because ambulating is no simple matter. It requires the smooth working of a very complex combination of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones and it is all too easy for things to go wrong.
Lack of care can lead to some serious foot problems such as:
- Claw & Mallet Toes
- Corns & Calluses
- Ingrown Toenails
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Toenail Fungus
- Bone Fractures
- Athlete’s Foot
- Fallen Arches
- Hammertoes
- Heel Spurs
- Arthritis
- Bunions
- Blisters
…and more.
If these problems are left untreated, they may cause loss of mobility and pain in the joints of the legs, hips, and back. Luckily, there is quite a bit you can do to prevent these painful conditions.
In this article, we will share 15 smart ideas to help you take good care of your feet. Read on to learn more.
- Don’t overdo it! It’s good to be involved in physical activity and to stay active, but remember to rest and relax as well.
- Warm up all your muscles and tendons properly before exercising and take time for a proper cool down at the end.
- Stay trim! Be sure to maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting too much stress and strain on your feet.
- See your healthcare professional regularly. Chronic health conditions can cause pain in the feet. Conversely, pain or lack of sensation in the feet can signal the presence of serious illnesses, such as nerve disorders or diabetes.
- Wear properly fitted shoes and clean socks that wick moisture away from your feet effectively.
- Use over-the-counter and/or prescription orthotics as needed to be sure your feet are properly supported.
- Flex, stretch, and exercise your feet while you are sitting. This is an excellent way to increase poor circulation in the feet, strengthen the muscles, and keep tendons flexible.
- Walk to exercise your feet. This is a natural way to stretch the feet and strengthen the muscles while benefiting your overall health and wellness. Remember to wear comfortable shoes that provide your feet with good support when you walk.
- Invest in a foot circulation booster device. These handy personal appliances provide your feet with mild electrical stimulation to relax stiff, sore muscles and increase blood circulation. Good circulation helps you avoid problems with swollen ankles and feet.
- Pamper your feet with a warm water soak every day. Wash your feet well and be sure to dry them thoroughly. Follow up with a peppermint lotion to moisturize skin and provide an enjoyable cooling sensation.
- Try a foot massager machine. These devices provide strong massaging action to the soles of your feet. You can get models that provide various types of massage, vibration, and infrared light therapy.
- Trim your toenails properly. Don’t cut them too short, and don’t taper them in at the corners. Cut them straight across to avoid having ingrown toenails.
- Be sure your shoes are big enough by purchasing them after you have been on your feet for several hours (typically in the afternoon). Even if you are very healthy and have good circulation, your feet will be a little bigger after you’ve been walking around for a while, so this is the best time to get properly fitted shoes that won’t bind.
- Limit wearing high heels. It’s best not to wear them at all, but if you must try to save them for special occasions when you don’t have to stand much. If you are required to wear them to work, keep a couple of spare pairs of shoes in your desk or locker. You should be able to change heel height a couple of times during the day.
- Be sure to make smart use of flip-flops by wearing them in locker rooms and other places where you might get athlete’s foot or injure the soles of your feet by going barefoot. Be sure not to wear flip-flops all the time, though. They really don’t give your feet enough support.
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Be Proactive & Have Happy Feet!
Foot pain and problems are so common that most people take them for granted and consider achy feet normal. This is sad because it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow the advice presented here to take good care of your feet and avoid foot pain and complications.
