Sun’s out, buns toes out!
It’s about that time of the year when most people start worrying about getting back their “Summer Body”. In the midst of all the sweaty cardio, ab crunches, and <insert a random name> squat routines, we often forget about working on our Summer Feet.
With summer, comes more foot action – from nights out dancing in heeled sandals to hiking, more jogging, and barefoot activities by the beach. It’s in fact the time to pay extra attention to ensure your feet look and feel good.
“The feet are the soldiers of the body.” Aagh, who am I kidding?! As much as I wanted that to sound profound and original, it’s not as poetic as “the eyes are the windows to the soul”. But, the point is that your feet are just as important.
FUN FACT:
“In an average day of walking, your feet experience forces totaling hundreds of tons—the equivalent of a fully-loaded cement truck.”
Considering all the hard work these wiggly babies do for you, here are (7) ways to put a little love on your feet. The best part is, most of these options are couch potato certified!
Foot Elevation
Does your line of work involve standing or sitting for long periods of time? Did you go for a hike or a long walk? Perhaps, you’re pregnant, and with the weight of the baby, gravity is doing a number on your legs and feet. These are all regular scenarios that can greatly affect your health in the long run.
Simply elevating your feet on a pillow, or better yet, trying the Legs-Up-the-Wall yoga pose can yield some neutralizing benefits. It reduces inflammation and pressure on the veins which could lead to varicose veins.
Whenever I’m dealing with swollen legs or even chest tightness & trouble breathing, I find that elevating my legs on the wall gets the blood flowing the right way – my chest opens up in minutes. It’s also pretty relaxing; the proof is in how quickly I sleep off in this position.
Epsom Salt Soak
This one’s super easy and hassle-free. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover your feet. Next, add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt in it, and swish it around to mix. Soak your feet in the water for about 30 – 60 minutes while you watch an episode of Queen Charlotte: a Bridgerton Story.
Epsom salt has been known to reduce pain and inflammation. Softer skin is also a possible side effect! Don’t forget to moisturize post-soaking, as salt soaks can also be quite dehydrating.
Foot Massage – manual or mechanical
“A foot massage is great for your love life.”
Do you need more convincing?
Well, if you insist.
It’s also been linked to improved blood circulation and relaxation, especially after a long day. A foot massage can help alleviate PMS symptoms, foul moods & depression!
If you can’t afford to get a professional foot massage on the regular, then an electric foot massager could be a wise investment. I use the Mercrsor Shiatsu Foot Massager. The massage balls rotate in a precise motion, hitting all those tired and stressed nerves.
At first, you might find the massage ticklish, but you’ll get used to it fairly quickly – try to focus on the kneading motion. What’s great about this device is that it has a heated option too. If you suffer from “cold feet syndrome” like I do, then you’ll appreciate the warmth!
Pedicure
Some folks have this etched into their beauty routine; make a trip to the nail salon, sit down, read a magazine, and leave two hours later with pretty toes and soft feet. If you prefer the DIY route (hear, hear), get yourself a bowl, a foot file, a pedicure set, a nail brush, nail polish, and a tub of cocoa butter Vaseline or scented shea butter.
Personally, I find it easier, and honestly, more effective to file the dead skin when m feet are dry. However, you can try this at-home pedicure routine for smooth feet you’ll enjoy rubbing against your legs!
Foot Scrub
Much like the face, our feet equally need to be exfoliated to keep looking their best. Using a foot scrub can help eliminate dead skin cells and boost circulation. It can also help you avoid getting painful cracked feet and improve moisture absorption for plump and healthy-looking footsies.
Try scrubbing them once or twice per week; ideally after a warm water soak, or taking a shower. You can go the DIY route, or shop for ready-to-use foot scrubs.
ACV + Rosemary Dip
The feet have about 250,000 sweat glands which produce up to half a pint of perspiration each day (allegedly). And when they’re stuck in shoes all day, things can get pretty funky down there. To avoid smelly feet, try soaking them in water (2 parts) + Apple Cider Vinegar (1 part) mixture while binging season four of Love is Blind – because the latest season is bat-shit crazy!
The ACV doubles as both an exfoliant and an odor buster. If you’re battling a toenail fungus, throw in some dry rosemary herb in the warm water for an added boost. Your feet may smell like salad dressing at first, but it’ll be worth it. ^ _ *
Moisturizing Socks
Hydration is always on trend. Our feet suffer the adverse effects of both the dry winter air and scorching summer heat. If you’re looking for a more hands-off feet-pampering approach to soften calluses and cracked heels, try moisturizing socks like:
- Natracure 5-Toe Gel Moisturizing Socks
- Selizo Moisturizing Heel SocksPnrskter Moisturizing Gel Socks
- Pnrskter Moisturizing Gel Socks
For added benefits, slather on your favorite moisturizer and slip into the moisturizing socks and forget about it.
Last words…
The feet are an essential part of your body that deserves as much love and attention as any other body part. And, neglecting them can lead to all sorts of uncomfortable situations.
But, by incorporating these foot-loving activities in your self-care routine, you can prevent foot problems, improve your overall health and well-being, and even boost your mood. So, take a step in the right direction and show your feet some love today!
Yup! Had to end on a cheesy note.
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