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Health & Fitness

Foot Care 101: The Basics Of Caring For Your Feet

The feet are among the most neglected parts of our body. Down at ground level, they do the donkey’s work of carrying us, and all the things we have on us, from place to place all day long, day after day. But neglecting the feet can lead to a host of problems that can impact not just the health and fitness of an individual, but also the overall lifestyle and quality of life. Imagine not being able to walk where and when you want to. Or finding that each step you take causes you pain? How would that affect your life? If you want to stay mobile and active in your later years, the care of your feet must begin as early as possible. Here are a few foot care basics that will help you on your way. There is nothing complicated or difficult to follow in these suggestions. They are simple and will leave you and your feet feeling good, now and in the future.

  • Check your feet regularly for calluses and patches of rough or hard skin. These are usually caused by ill-fitting shoes which rub and press against the feet unnaturally. Use a pumice stone or an abrasive foot scrubber to rub the affected areas and remove the dead skin. If the calluses are not controlled they will grow, become harder and become painful, leading to infection and pain.
  • Give your feet a special footbath frequently. Soak your feet in warm water to allow the muscles and nerves to relax. Add a layer of marbles to the bottom of the container and roll your feet over them, Not only will this be very relaxing, it will stimulate the nerves. A good exercise while doing the foot bath is to try and pick up marbles with your toes, flex and contract the feet and toes and then release the marbles and again stretch the arches and muscles of the feet.
  • A relaxing and invigorating foot massage does not entail spending a lot of money on a pedicure. The basics of the massage can be easily acquired on line and you and a friend or significant other can give each other a massage regularly. Add your favorite essential oil to the massage process and the relaxed feeling will remain for a long time.
  • Both the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet lack oil glands to lubricate and soften the skin. You know how rough your hands can get if not cared for. The same can happen to your feet.  Apply a thick layer of moisturizer at night before going to bed or before working out. Using natural fiber socks will allow the moisturizing to continue without making a mess of your sheets and shoes.
  • Remember that your feet change with time. The shape and size will change over the years as the effects of age and use show. In most cases, a person in the mid-40s will have feet a size larger than when he or she was in the 20s. When being measured for shoes, make sure the measuring is being done when you are standing with all your body weight on your feet.
  • Change your shoes regularly – they often wear out without being noticed and the amount of support they give your feet drops. When this happens, the chances of foot, leg and back problems increase. Check your shoes frequently and replace them at the first visible signs of wear or when they become uncomfortable.

Even if you have been neglecting your feet for years, it is never too late to begin a foot care regimen.

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