Are You Taking Care of This Important Body Part?
We’ve nailed down the skincare routine. We go to the gym. We eat a proper diet. What else is left? That’s right—your feet! Despite our intensive regimens, we often neglect our feet, leaving them dry and cracked. With that, let’s explore some of the worst habits to avoid and the best ways you can take care of your feet.
1. Grabbing the Wrong Shoe
The wrong shoe comes in many sizes—and they’re all worth paying attention to. Anything from flip-flops and high heels to worn-down running shoes can wreak havoc on your feet. The wrong shoe opens the door to ingrown toenails and worn-out arches (among other things).
2. Cutting Your Nails Incorrectly
As important as it is to cut your toenails, it’s equally important to do it properly. Incorrect techniques, such as cutting them too short, can encourage bacterial growth, infection, and ingrown nails. To avoid injury, it's best to cut them straight across and file down any sharp corners.
Matthew Bellemare on Wikimedia
3. Not Wearing Socks
It’s one thing to walk around the house barefoot (though that’s also ill-advised), but it’s another entirely to forgo them with shoes. Without a proper pair of socks, your feet are exposed to all kinds of bacteria, odors, and injuries like blisters or abrasions.
4. Smoking
Smoking impacts overall health and that includes your feet. The habit can cause blockages in your arteries, which leads to poor circulation and a greater risk of foot pain. In some cases, you might even experience damaged nerves or blood vessels.
5. Too Much Time on Your Feet
We can’t always avoid an eight-hour shift, but it’s important to relax your feet. Standing around for long periods of time can hurt everything from our arches to our heels. You could also spot varicose veins, swelling, and lower back pain.
6. Ignoring Your Stretches
Have you ever ripped off the covers and indulged in a good morning stretch? If not, you’re missing out! Foot stretches are just as beneficial as the ones for our muscles; heel raises, toe scrunches, and rolling your foot over a ball can help alleviate soreness.
7. No Exercise
Our whole body suffers without enough exercise, but it’s especially harmful for our feet. Excess weight could easily lead to painful ailments like plantar fasciitis or flattened arches. Moderate exercise—with the right shoes—stops foot pain in its tracks.
8. Too Much Exercise
On the other hand, too much too fast is equally detrimental. Proper exercise requires easing into a routine and when you push yourself too hard, your feet can suffer painful flare-ups. If you’re looking to run a marathon or dive into more extensive workouts, speak with a podiatrist about the best way forward.
9. Pushing Through the Pain
It’s easy to assume sore muscles will go away with time. Many of us often neglect injuries in the hopes that they’ll clear, but that mentality can cause serious problems down the road. Speak with your doctor if you ever notice swelling, discoloration, or prolonged discomfort.
10. Digging Out Ingrown Nails
We get it—ingrown nails are painful! But do yourself a favor and don’t pick them out. Tackling those pesky nails alone only results in more damage, often in the form of bacteria and infection. The best thing you can do is speak with a professional and let them handle it.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
Now that we’ve discussed some harmful habits to avoid, let’s explore the best ways to take care of our hardworking feet.
1. Wash Them Daily
It may sound a little tedious, but daily foot washing ensures you keep all the gunk away. Stick ‘em in lukewarm water and use a gentle soap before thoroughly drying. Make sure you get in between the toes as well to ward off further bacteria.
2. Keep an Eye Out
Foot care is more than just daily soaks and clean socks—it’s about staying vigilant. Don’t ignore any cuts, bruises, discoloration, or pain. Those may seem small now, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, and speaking with a professional rules out any significant ailments.
3. Don’t Walk Barefoot
Walking barefoot is a double-edged sword. Some may find pain relief from plantar fasciitis while others might enjoy the potential for improved balance. However, barefooted feet can also experience bacteria and injuries. It’s best you speak with your doctor about appropriate care to ensure you don’t make anything worse.
4. Alternate Between Shoes
Our shoes deserve a break too. Try and rotate your sneakers or walking shoes to promote their longevity. Our feet are also happier with more cushioning, less sweat, and a better fit. If you can, it’s recommended that you grab an extra pair of your favorite shoes.
5. Get Good Arch Support
Speaking of good shoes, no pair is complete without proper arch support. We all need it to evenly distribute our weight, keeping strain off our heels and arches. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, it’s even more important to invest.
6. Moisturize Your Feet
You already moisturize your face, but don’t forget about your feet! Cracked heels don’t stand a chance against a good cream (or soak), so take the time to lather them before bed. You should also aim for weekly exfoliation to keep your feet healthy and smooth.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
7. Take Frequent Breaks
We can’t always plop down on the job, but try to rest your feet when you can. Elevation reduces pain and swelling while also providing a well-deserved break. You’ll also ward off muscle stiffness and lower back pain, so talk about two birds with one stone.
8. Pick Proper Salons
Everyone loves a good pedicure—when they’re in the right place. Before you sink into that chair, do some research to find qualified spots you trust. The last thing you need is shoddy hygiene or rough care that does more harm than good.
9. Don’t Forget Sunblock
You’ve undoubtedly heard about the importance of sunblock by now, but that also includes your feet! The tops of your feet could do with a generous coating before you hit the beach or prolonged time outside.
BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific on Unsplash
10. Speak With a Professional
Keep your eyes peeled for any swelling, dryness, or ingrown toenails. Should you notice anything of concern, speak with your doctor instead of trying to handle it on your own. Even if it turns out to be nothing, at least you’ll get the all-clear from a pro.
KEEP ON READING
Cities With The Most Traffic In The World
20 Diseases Doctors Still Can't Explain
