Most of us tend to ignore our feet until they start to ache. Let’s take a look at a few helpful tips to keep them in top shape.
How many times have you heard the expression, “Oh my aching feet”? Probably a lot, but unfortunately most of us tend to ignore our feet until they start to ache. Well, let me rethink that. We do go out of our way to make our feet look pretty, that’s for sure. Pedicures, the latest nail polish, toe rings and the perfect shoe can turn our ordinary feet into a true fashion statement. But are we truly taking care of our feet, or just trying to make them look more attractive? Let’s take a look at few easy tips to keep our feet and tootsies in tip top shape.
Did you know that our feet contain 26 bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons? They are quite complex if you break down the sum of the parts. Think about it, with every step we take our poor little feet have to absorb the full impact of our total body weight. Not only that, but they are also necessary to help us keep our balance and allow us to stand upright. This is not an easy feat! (No pun intended.) The bottom line is this: we need to take care of our feet. Of course, starting with a nice pedicure and polish is perfect, but there are a few other things we can all do to keep our feet looking great and functioning at their best.
Here are my top tootsie tips to add to your beauty regimen.
Faithful Foot Care
Top Tip #1: Find the Perfect Fit
I’m the first to admit that I have crammed my feet into shoes that were so uncomfortable, actually painful, all in the name of fashion. I have gone on record stating that pretty shoes aren’t supposed to be comfortable. But this is so bad. If we wear shoes that are all wrong in fit and comfort, we’re potentially causing great distress and damage to our feet. Think pain, blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails, corns and even hammer toe. These conditions can be brought on by shoes that are too tight or even to big. Keep in mind that for those of us gals who live in high heels, we need to give our feet a break. Even if they fit perfectly, they can cause damage to the bones in our feet. So invest in a nice, comfy pair of flats or sneakers and wear them as often as you can.
Shopping Tip: Our feet tend to swell or stretch a bit later in the day. So, the best time to shop for shoes is in the afternoon or evening when our feet are already a bit bigger. This will ensure our shoes will fit and feel their best. Another thing to keep in mind is that our shoe size can change. So, if you are used to wearing a size 8 shoe, try on an 8 ½ just to see if they are more comfortable. You might be surprised.
Top Tip #2: Lather up
This tip may seem like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people think just standing in a shower will provide proper foot cleansing. And they never bend down to lather up their tootsies. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When you are in the shower, you need to soap up your feet and make sure you are getting in between your toes. For most of us, our feet are trapped inside of shoes or sneakers all day long. This can lead to moisture build-up, which then can lead to bacteria and unpleasant odor. So, proper cleansing, especially between the toes, is important.
Top Tip #3: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Our feet truly take a beating throughout the day. As a result, they can become dry, rough, cracked and scaly looking. Not only is this not attractive, it’s not good for your feet. Make a habit of applying a moisturizing cream to your feet when you get out of the bath or shower before bedtime. Look for natural ingredients like shea butter, Aloe vera and olive oil, which are wonderful at hydrating and softening your feet. It’s better to apply moisturizer at nighttime to prevent unwanted moisture build up between your toes. If your heels look dry and scaly, be sure to apply moisturizer during the day as well—just avoid your toes.
Top Tip #4: Sock It to Me
Depending on where you live, you may spend a lot of time walking around in bare feet. The truth is you want to keep your feet covered as much as possible. Just by wearing a pair of socks, you can provide a bit of protection to your feet that will aid in shock absorption when you walk, run or bike. It will also help with the moisture that builds up between your toes. Unfortunately, as we age, the fat layer on the bottom of our feet starts to thin. A nice pair of comfy, snuggly socks will turn out to be your best friend. Socks come in all kinds of fabrics made from synthetic fabrics, cotton, wool and natural fibers. Wearing socks will definitely help to prevent blistering or calluses from forming. And the latest trends in socks make them quite fashionable, too.
Top Tip #5: Scrub Away
I love having my feet pampered during a pedicure, but you can also treat your feet with the same amount of love at home. Scrub off the dry and scaly skin with a moisturizing, exfoliating foot scrub, or grab a pumice stone and gently scrub your heels, toes and balls of your feet. Just don’t scrub too hard. A weekly pumicing, scrubbing or both, will leave your skin feeling silky soft and smooth.
Top Tip #6: An Oldie, But Goodie
My favorite pampering tip of all is to apply a rich moisturizing cream to your feet before bedtime, put on a pair of white cotton socks and go to sleep. You will be so happy with how your feet look and feel in the morning. And it’s almost effortless.
Our feet are the most important vehicle we have to get us to and from. So, let’s take these little extra steps to keep them feeling and looking their best.
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