Consider how difficult life would be if your feet were less than healthy. If it hurt every time you took a step, or if you couldn’t sleep due to the pain in your feet, or if you couldn’t go anywhere because they wouldn’t function in the way they were meant to, your life would be a challenge, to say the least. You might not think about your feet much, but when you really consider them, you’ll see they are one of the most important parts of your body. That’s why it’s so important to take care of them and ensure they are healthy.
It might seem hard to take care of your feet. You use them so much, and it’s relatively rare for them to be resting at any point, even when we’re sitting at desks and working. However, there are some easy ways to make sure your feet are at their best, helping you be as mobile and pain-free as possible. Read on to find out more.
Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
Wash Your Feet Every Day
Ideally, we should wash every part of our body every day (except, perhaps, for our hair, which usually doesn’t need to be washed daily and can instead be washed every two to three days). Sometimes, due to scheduling or other reasons, this doesn’t happen. However, even if you can’t take a bath or shower, it’s crucial you still wash your feet either in the morning when you’re getting dressed or in the evening when you go to bed.
The best way to wash your feet is to use warm water (too hot or cold can cause damage) on a soft cloth with some mild soap. Before you put on any socks or slippers, make sure your feet are completely dry, and then muse moisturizer to protect the skin.
Wear Shoes That Fit
When your shoes don’t fit properly, you can get blisters which are painful, cause mobility problems, and can become infected. If you’re not sure what size of shoe to buy, don’t guess; have your feet measured by a professional so you know not just what the length of your foot is, but what the width is too – this element is often forgotten and can lead to people wearing shoes that are too tight across the bridge. Shoes that support your feet and allow them to breathe are ideal. Even if you’re not interested in shoes as such, taking the time to find right ones can prevent a lot of misery.
Wear Clean Socks
It’s also crucial to wear clean socks every day. Your foot moves in your shoe every time you walk. Socks cut down on friction. If you don’t have them, the hard parts of your shoes will rub against your skin and give you blisters; this is why it’s important to wear the right socks with the right shoes. If you’re unsure, search for socks to wear with Doc Martens, for example, so you know you’re getting it right.
Add some salty sweat, and you’ve got the ingredients for an infection. People with diabetes or high blood sugar should be especially careful about this.
Speaking of socks, they should be made of breathable materials, and they should fit well; if they bunch up, they can cause skin irritation, and if they aren’t breathable, sweat will make your feet’s skin sore.
Cut Your Nails Carefully
When you don’t look at your feet much, if at all, it’s easy to forget that you have toenails that need to be trimmed from time to time. Fingernails are easy to remember, as you see them all day, but it’s crucial to keep your toenails trimmed – it’s healthier and will lead to fewer problems.
You must cut them very carefully, however. If you cut them too short, they can become ingrown, which is painful and will cause an infection. The best thing to do is to cut your nails across in a straight line and then use a file to complete the edges. In this way, you can keep them at a safe level and not cause yourself any undue pain.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being overweight hurts your feet because each step puts more force on them. It can also make other foot problems worse and make you more likely to get problems like arthritis in the feet. Being overweight can also hurt your feet because it makes you more likely to get diabetes or poor blood circulation, both of which can cause foot pain and numbness.
If you want to protect your feet – and other parts of your body and overall health – maintaining a healthy weight is the best way to go about it. Lose your excess weight, and then think about your diet and exercise routines to ensure you don’t put it back on again.
Thank you for reading!
