ReNEW Your Feet in the NEW Year!
January 4, 2018 • • foot care
The holidays always seem to take forever to get here, but can fly by so quickly, don’t you think? In all the joyful times and chaotic family gatherings, we all take time to take care of each other, but oftentimes don’t care for ourselves. Well, now that the holidays are over, isn’t it time to take care of yourself? One of the best ways to start improving your health and wellness is to take care of your feet. ReNEW your feet by giving them some extra love and care as you start the new year off on the right foot. Well, feet – but you know what we mean! Pamper your feet and make sure they are healthy with the following ways:
- Schedule a pedicure. Men and women can both benefit from foot grooming, but make sure that the tools they use are cleaned properly. The best bet is to take the first appointment of the day so that they are freshly sanitized!
- At home, pamper your feet with a warm water foot soak for relief at the end of a long day of standing and running around. Adding Epsom salt and/or essential oils can make the experience even better. If you have diabetes and have lost feeling in your feet, be sure to test the water before you step into it, since you can burn your feet and not even realize it!
- Take time to massage your feet or have a partner do it for you. If you can’t reach your feet, use a foot massager or small ball (lacrosse or golf ball) to roll your feet onto pressure points. You may be surprised at how much tension your feet have to endure to keep you balanced and mobile.
- Stretch your feet. You know how a full body stretch can feel so good after you’ve been sitting around for a while? Your feet can indulge in a good stretch as well! Use your hands to pull your toes back while you’re sitting with your legs stretched out in front of your. You can also do an ankle stretch by standing with one foot in front of the other and leaning forward toward a wall or railing. After workouts, before sleep, or when you wake up are great times to energize your feet with a good stretch.
- Have you been ignoring foot pain? Let’s address them together and make sure that it really isn’t a bigger problem than you think it is. Remember that some conditions like bunions and heel pain can get worse the longer you wait to treat them. The answer can be as simple as adding orthotic inserts or changing the types of shoes you wear. Make an appointment for your annual podiatry visit!
- Speaking of shoes… the New Year is a good time to check your shoes to make sure that they are still supportive and comfortable. Worn out shoes can make foot problems worse as they lose their supportive features. As you said goodbye to 2017, you may need to say goodbye to old shoes and say hello to new ones! Be sure to find shoes that fit well, are comfortable, and are supportive.
