You might track your daily steps as part of your healthy routine, but how much attention do you pay to the health of your feet? As one of your most important assets, your feet are responsible for helping you get through those multiple steps a day, which is why it’s important to take care of them.
I admit that I don’t always focus on my feet, at least not as much as I should. I prefer wearing comfortable sneakers over any other type of shoe. If it was possible, I would go barefoot all the time.
From dealing with minor foot problems to making better lifestyle choices for the sake of your feet, there are a lot of things you can do to help make sure your feet stay in great shape.
Want to keep your feet happy and healthy? Start today with the help of these top tips.
Wear shoes that fit
One of the leading causes of foot pain comes from not wearing the right size shoe! By wearing shoes that are too tight, you can end up causing pressure on your toes and other parts of your feet, while shoes that are too loose won’t provide support, and they could cause blisters too.
You don’t need to go into a store to measure your feet; you can find your shoe size easily using some paper, a pencil and a ruler or tape measure.
As well as wearing the right size shoes, remember to be sensible when choosing which shoes to wear too. Flip flops might be great during the summer, but if you wear them too much, you could cause some damage to your feet. The same goes for high heels and platform shoes which can put a lot of strain on your feet, as well as put you at risk of ankle and leg injuries through trips and falls.
Maintain excellent feet hygiene
You should make a point of washing your feet regularly. Taking a washcloth and washing your feet, including between your toes, is important, and should be an essential part of your bath or shower routine. If you need extra cleaning, you can always invest in some great foot care products that will help your feet stay clean and feeling fresh.
Don’t forget to change your socks frequently and avoid sharing shoes with others – infections can easily spread this way. Wear a fresh pair of socks daily, and change them more frequently if you’re on your feet a lot or you’ve been exercising.
Always keep your feet warm and dry
Dealing with cold, wet feet is miserable, and can happen all too easily in the winter months. Keeping your feet dry can help prevent issues such as athlete’s foot and can stop the spread of verrucas. Always dry your feet after getting out of the bath, shower or pool and if your feet manage to get wet through your shoes, take them off as soon as you can to dry them off.
Wearing socks every day should help keep them nice and warm, preventing cramps that can come with chilly feet, while a hot water bottle at the end of the bed makes a great treat during the winter months. Keep some slippers at home to wear year-round; they can be very useful for keeping your feet nice and toasty.
Remember to moisturize
Do you spend time moisturizing your feet? It’s more important than you realize. Feet that have enough hydration will avoid cracks and dry heels that can quickly become very uncomfortable. There are some excellent foot creams out there that can moisturize your feet while adding a nice, pleasant fragrance, so remember to use lotion as much as possible. It’s an excellent excuse to give yourself a foot rub too! Just be careful when walking on slippery surfaces afterward!
Be careful with your pedicure
Whether you choose to do your own pedicure or go to a salon, you need to make sure it’s done right. The instruments used in a pedicure can cause a lot of damage if used incorrectly, as well as leave your feet more prone to infection.
Giving yourself an at-home pedicure is a good way to maintain your feet and make sure your toenails are kept nice and trimmed. You can do a lot with a nail file, some clippers and a couple of products to get your feet in great shape. Adding some nail polish can also make your feet more appealing, but be sure to remove it correctly instead of trying to peel it off and potentially damage your nail bed.
When going to a salon, make sure the place you’re going is hygienic and reputable. Therapists should always use clean tools, so check that they’re following procedure during your pedicure. If you notice anything isn’t as it should be, terminate your appointment.
Wear the right shoes for exercise
Exercise is a great way to stay healthy, but it can put your feet under a lot of strain. That’s why you need to wear the right shoes for exercise to help you protect your feet. Start by investing in some great shoes for the right type of exercise as running, for example, will have different requirements compared to gym work or weightlifting.
When it comes to running, you should get your gait measured and your running analyzed by running specialists. They’ll be able to recommend the right type of shoes for the way you run, helping you to prevent injuries, as well as help you achieve your best performance.
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight, you could be putting a lot of strain on your feet. Being overweight can cause mobility issues, which will eventually stop you from being able to exercise and shift that excess weight. There are different ways to lose weight, but diet and exercise are essential for being able to maintain a healthy weight and fitness level. Exercises such as swimming are ideal for taking the pressure off your feet, while walking is a simple exercise you can do to help you get moving and burn some calories too.
If you’re struggling with your weight to the point where you can’t walk, make sure you book an appointment with your doctor to get the help you need.
Remember to protect them
Many people like to walk around with bare feet, but you could be putting them at risk – especially if there are dropping hazards nearby. When you’re working out in the yard or you’re doing work around the house, make sure you wear some protective shoes. If you work in any industry where there’s a risk of something dropping on your feet, make sure you use the right protection.
But protecting your feet doesn’t just mean protecting them from things that can fall on them. You should also remember to use SPF protection on your feet. It’s easy to forget your feet when you’re applying sun lotion, but there are a lot of people who end up dealing with moles and skin cancer because their feet have been left unprotected. Use SPF and apply regularly to keep your feet safe in the sun.
Get problems checked out
Any problems with your feet should be checked out immediately. From ingrown nails to needing laser toenail fungus treatment, you should visit a podiatrist if you have any conditions that are causing you pain or discomfort. Leaving these things for too long can make them get worse, leaving you with some very uncomfortable feet to treat.
Check your feet regularly for anything out of the ordinary, and seek advice as soon as possible to help you get it treated,
Stop exercising if you’re in pain
Your feet are essential for many types of exercise, but suffering some kind of pain or injury can quickly bring things to a stop. Instead of trying to exercise through the pain, make sure you get your injury seen to. From sprains and aches to painful plantar fasciitis, there could be some things you can do to help your feet heal so that you can keep up with your fitness routine.
Don’t forget that there are exercises that are designed to strengthen your feet to. Check out some exercises to prevent foot injury that could help you keep your feet in great shape while exercising.
Give them some TLC once in a while
Giving your feet a bit of TLC once in a while can not only benefit your feet, but help boost your mood and ease stress too. Giving them a nice soak in a foot bath is one way to treat them after a long day, while a foot rub can also feel nice and soothing. You can also look into a great shiatsu foot massagers to help make your feet feel amazing.
Many people swear by reflexology and massage therapy to treat tired feet while also boosting other parts of the body. A regular treatment is a nice luxury that will do you and your feet a world of good.
It’s easy to take your feet for granted, but they’re such an important part of your body that you need to give them some particular care and attention from time to time. From wearing the right shoes to making sure they stay clean and free from infections and disease, give your feet the right care so that you can enjoy happy feet for life.