Caring For Your Feet

The overall health of the body is dependent on proper care and concern for each and every part of your body. Often we neglect our feet though in fact it handles the strain and weight of the entire body. Since the skin on the feet is highly delicate and vulnerable, neglect can lead to dryness, cracks, formation of bunions and in some cases soreness and pain.

You have to be meticulous in caring for your feet, so that they remain healthy and beautiful for as long as possible.

Foot care tips and routine

Tips to keep your feet beautiful and young:

1. Removing the hard skin from your feet. To remove the dead foot skin:

a. Soak the feet in a bowl of warm water in order to soften the dirt and the dead skin and to make them easily removable

b. Then use a pumice stone or a foot file, rubbing your skin gently

c. Rinse off the flaky residue

d. Alternatively, you can apply sufficient cream on the area to remove the dead skin

2. Relieving aches and swelling. Once the dead skin has been removed, soak your feet for about 10 min in a bowl of warm water and add some mineral salts along with a few drops of lavender essential oils

3. Drying your feet well. When you dry your feet make sure to not miss out wiping between your toes.

4. Trim toenails and shape them with an emery board.

5. Massaging the feet. Use rich foot skin cream to massage your feet. For this you must cup hands on either side of the foot, and the thumbs pressing the upper part of the foot while they push outwards. The extra cream must be removed from the nails and cotton wool tufts be placed in between your toes

6. Massaging the ankle. To relieve stiffness that occurs in ankles, gently massage the anklebone in a circular motion

Tips to keep your feet healthy

Inducing circulation

In order to keep your feet healthy it is important to increase the blood circulation through them by:

a. Putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down

b. Stretching, especially rewarding for those who have to sit continuously for long durations

c. Going for a walk

d. Massaging the feet gently using your hands or a foot roller

e. Giving the feet a warm bath

Using the right footwear

The very purpose of footwear is to protect the feet from damage; however, a bad choice in footwear can in itself be damaging for your feet. Make sure to keep these tips in mind while choosing and using footwear:

1. Wear footwear that

a. Supports and fits the foot properly

b. Is made of natural materials that are a soft and flexible, helping your feet breathe

c. That is shaped like your foot and feels comfortable when you walk in them

d. Have thick soles that cushion the feet while walking

e. Which offers enough space for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up

f. Lets the ball of your foot to fit comfortably into the widest part of the shoe

g. Does not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.

2. Buy shoes in the evening when your feet are the largest and buy a size that fits the larger of your two feet.

3. Vary shoe types and shoe heels everyday. It is best to choose low heels over high heels though.

4. Use cotton or wool socks and change them at least once a day.

Visiting a chiropodist

A chiropodist can give you valuable advise on relaxing techniques for your feet and give special care for various feet conditions such as bunions, cracks etc. They are also experts in foot massages that can truly relieve stress and stiffness in your feet

Lifestyle habits

a. Avoid smoking

b. Do not expose the feet to extreme cold or hot conditions

c. Exercise regularly by walking, doing calf stretches, wriggling your toes etc

d. People with diabetes and arthritis must take special care for their feet as they are more susceptible to foot ailments

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