Are you always battling blisters and pushing through foot pain? Yep, sometimes we take our feet for granted, dashing to the train, to work, to the gym without giving our comfort a second thought, and after a long day on the go, it isn’t until we sit down at night that we truly feel the damage we’ve done, and the blisters really kick in.
If you’re longing for relief, then know that three-quarters of people experience foot pain, so you’re definitely not alone. And this might reassure you even more; you don’t actually need a fancy spa or pedicure to get your feet feeling like a million dollars again. Instead, try this; here’s how to give your feet a treat with these 5 IDEAL tips.
GIVE THEM A PROPER WASH
Merely standing in the shower and letting the bubbles seep over your toes isn’t enough. Bend down and give your feet a good scrub regularly with soap or body wash. Clean out all the dirt underneath your nails and make sure you scrub well on your heels and between your toes. When you’re done, dry your feet thoroughly, and don’t change into socks, stockings or slippers if they’re still wet. A damp, hot place is the perfect environment for things like athletes foot, fungal infections, and plain old stinky feet, too. Avoid it!
TREAT YOURSELF TO A FOOT MASSAGE
If you’ve been on your feet all day, then a short foot massage can work wonders to relieve tension and make your tootsies feel brand new. From reducing anxiety to lowering blood pressure and improving circulation, there are many proven benefits of giving yourself (or better yet, receiving) a foot massage.
Equally effective, it is important to apply stretching into your daily routine if you have sore feet, as this can help ease tension and pain. Try toe curls, a toe stretch, or a tennis ball stretch; here you place a tennis ball between your fall and the floor and gently roll it back and forth, pressing down gently. This is particularly helpful as it combines the relief of a massage with the benefits of stretching.
WEAR SHOES THAT FIT
A half-size can be all the difference between the perfect fit and a heel full of blisters. Avoid rushing through your shoe shopping, especially if it’s footwear that you have to wear daily. If you’ve got wider feet, then don’t squeeze them into narrow flats or heels that will pinch your toes or too-long shoes that could cause you to trip. It goes without saying that cheap, poorly-made shoes can cause a lot of damage, so purchase good-quality, sturdy shoes, especially for everyday wear.
Consider a retailer like widefitshoes.co.uk that specialises in quality shoes for wide or flat feet that will support your arches, steady your heel and fit snugly around your toes without any pinching and rubbing. You’ll also find it easier to stand comfortably longer with these shoes if you are someone who has a very active lifestyle or job where you can hardly find the time to sit down.
ALTERNATE YOUR FOOTWEAR
Wearing the same shoes every day means you’re not giving them time to air out, and the constant use can trigger foot odour or nasty infections. If you’ve got particularly sweaty feet, then use footlets or stocking socks inside your ballet flats, so they don’t slip around and soak up your sweat. It also means your shoes won’t break down as quickly, and if you do have a blister-popping pair you just can’t bear to part with, you’ll give your feet time to recover.
GO EASY ON THE HEELS
High heels are fun, but everyday use can damage a woman’s feet. A pair of six-inch stilettos will wreak havoc on your posture, toes and cause tendon problems, so if you’re an addict for heels, then try to find shoes with a wider heel that gives you support (you should never feel like you’re teetering) that are no more than two inches in height. After a night in heels, give yourself time to put your feet up – numb toes mean the constant compression has affected your blood flow, so give your toes a rub and soak in warm water to get the blood pumping normally again.