Whether you work a desk job or spend time on Your Foot Health all day, every day, you know that standing when your feet hurt can feel like a major burden.
It’s recommended that people spend at least four hours a day on their feet whenever possible. This means keeping your feet healthy is vital.
If you’re not sure where to start, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Luckily, improving your foot health so you can enjoy being more active is easier than you might think. You just need to be proactive. Here are a few simple ways to improve foot health and reduce the risk of foot pain for years to come.
Table of Contents
1. Invest in the Right Shoes
Believe it or not, a large part of most peoples’ foot pain comes from the shoes they wear every day. Some shoes are better at supporting your foot than others. If you’re wearing the wrong type of shoe for your foot and your lifestyle, you could be doing serious and long-term damage.
Take a look at the shoes you wear the most. Do they provide adequate support for your foot bones, arch, and heel? Is the cushioning still springy or has it crushed down over the last few months?
If there’s even a chance that your shoes are too old or aren’t providing you with the proper support you need, replace them. Look for a shoe that cradles your foot to reduce fatigue on the muscles. If you must wear dress shoes or high-fashion shoes, commit to wearing them for short periods of time.
This will help you keep your feet happy and reduces the risk of chronic pain and foot problems.
2. Give Them a Good Scrub Each Time You Bathe
Your feet are far from the cleanest part of your body. They’re stuck inside shoes where sweat and bacteria can build up over the day.
That combination of sweat and bacteria can lead to fungal growth on your feet and beneath your toenails.
Instead of leaving things up to chance, keep your feet as clean as possible. Wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water every day. Most people find it easiest to scrub their feet while they’re in the shower.
Make sure to get between your toes and consider using a pumice stone or other exfoliant to get rid of dead skin and callouses. This can help reduce discomfort when you’re stuck wearing shoes that aren’t ideal for your feet.
3. Keep Your Toenails Trimmed
Your toenails grow continually. If left unchecked, they can start to curl and grow into the side of your toes. This creates a condition known as ingrown toenails.
Not only are ingrown toenails painful but they can also cause serious infections that require medical treatment and sometimes surgery to deal with.
Luckily, it’s easy to prevent them. You just need to stay on top of trimming your toenails. Get in the habit of inspecting your nails every night. If they look like they’re getting too long, use a good pair of nail clippers or toenail scissors to trim them up.
If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own, schedule a pedicure and ask them to show you what to do. They’ll be able to walk you through the trimming process so you can keep your nails at the ideal length more easily.
4. Use Lotion Daily
If you’re like most people, you think of your feet as being incredibly tough. Though they’re able to support your weight and carry you throughout your life’s adventures, they need a little TLC once in a while.
One of the best ways to care for your feet is to moisturize them often. Remember, the skin on your feet is no different than the skin on your hands, face, and arms. It needs lotion to stay healthy and properly hydrated.
Get in the habit of applying lotion to your feet every day. If you can, let the lotion soak into your skin without covering them. If you can’t or don’t want to spend that much time out of your socks and shoes, apply the lotion at night and put on a pair of breathable socks.
This will help keep your sheets clean and allow your feet to absorb the lotion completely by morning.
5. Keep Your Feet Dry
Moisture is a major problem for your feet. If they get wet and stay that way, they can develop skin irritation, fungus, and other unwelcome health issues.
Think about the way your feet feel when you pull them out of your shoes. Are they comfortable and dry or are they hot and sweaty?
If your socks almost always feel wet, change things up. Invest in high-quality wool blend socks to help wick moisture away. If that’s still not enough, change your socks during the day to give your feet a clean and dry space to breathe.
6. Consult With a Doctor
Your feet, like the rest of your body, can develop health issues over time. If you think anything is off or notice skin issues, unexplained pain, or discoloration in your toenails, talk to your doctor.
They’ll be able to identify the root cause of the problem and help you find the proper treatment protocol whether you need treatment for hammertoes or need an ingrown toenail dealt with.
The sooner you can get help, the better off your feet will be.
Follow These Tips to Improve Your Foot Health
If you’re ready to enjoy spending time on your feet again, try these foot health tips for yourself. Once you do, you’ll start to see an improvement and can enjoy being more active without experiencing pain and discomfort.
Remember that it’s okay to ask your doctor for guidance. If you think anything is truly wrong or just want to make sure you’re choosing the right type of shoe, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Looking for more tips and tricks to help you improve your health and wellbeing? Check out our latest posts.
