Summer is over and, sooner rather than later, it will be time for your feet to be back into shoes again! As a consequence you may experience pain, irritations or infections due to lack of breathability, friction and compression pressure. So now is not the time to take a break on regular foot care. In fact, foot experts say that foot care during the cold seasons is one of the most important steps to keeping your feet healthy and beautiful.
Podiatrists, Margaret Dabbs and Jenny Le-Tran, have indicated some top tips to help look after your feet to get them into tip-top condition for the autumn and winter seasons:
Tip 1: Choose the right shoes and socks
Le-Tran suggests that shoes should have a small heel (no more than 4cm though!), with laces or adjustable straps to hold your feet firmly inside, and with good support. She suggests that your toes should be able to move freely inside your shoes, if they can move freely then this is a good fit. Le-Tran explains that tight shoes can inhibit blood flow to your toes especially in the cold weather when the blood vessels are usually more contracted than normal already. This is especially dangerous if you suffer from conditions such as diabetes and poor circulation.
Elizabeth Auger, foot specialist, notices that although there are times when opting to wear shoes without socks is convenient or fashionable, activities, from taking a walk to dancing, and bicycling to hiking are NOT those times. Just as shoes give us support, socks should keep our feet dry, blister-free and comfortable. They help keep you cool in the summer while keeping bad odours, bacteria and foot rot at bay. She indicates that moisture-wicking properties are especially important to consider when you’re purchasing socks for activities. (Interested to know more about high-performing socks? Click here)
Tip 2: Exercise regularly
As emphasized by Harvard Medical School, exercising your feet on a regular basis not only improves overall foot health, but it helps to reduce your risk for injury and improves circulation.
Walking is the best overall foot exercise. When you walk, you put your foot through its full range of motion, from the time your heel hits the ground until you lift off with your toes. Moreover, walking is one of the best forms of exercise for your entire body. It improves your cardiovascular health and can help your circulation, muscle tone, and mood.
Tip 3: Treat yourself to warming foot soaks.
Ultimate relaxation may be one of the most obvious health benefits of foot soaks, but research shows that soaking your feet in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes per day can do wonders for your mood, your energy level, your sleeping habits and any aches and pains that affect you — both in your feet and beyond.
Kambra Clifford, foot specialist, indicates that foot soaks can increase your overall body temperature, which can relieve muscle and mental tension, alleviate stress and increase white blood cell activity. All of this boosts your immune system, which prevents sickness and increases your overall health and well-being!
Are you ready to make the most of this Autumn season? By following these 3 tips you can make sure to take good care not only of your feet, but your overall well-being.
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