Wheathampstead Magazine
These feet are made for walking...
Top tips for looking after your feet
Any problems with your feet can affect the way you walk and in turn lead to hip, knee and back pain. Essentially, your feet take the weight of your whole body so it’s really worth taking good care of them.
A great start is to slip your shoes off and put your feet up on a regular basis particularly if your feet have a tendency to swell up in the heat. Find a chair or stool that you can use with a cushion that will elevate your feet more or less in line or just above the level of your heart. This should feel relaxing and seems to be good for blood flow and maybe even lessen any fluid retention.
It seems that lots of people are willing to put up with sore, aching and painful feet.But if your feet hurt or feel uncomfortable on a daily basis its probably something to do with the shoes that you are wearing.
I recall as a teenager my friends and I wore what we called standing up shoes - so called because that’s all they were good for – they were not good for dancing and terrible for walking but they looked good and felt good if all you did was stand up in them–the things we do, or used to do for fashion.
It’s great to be just be shoe sensible. Keep the wearing of high heels and pointed shoes for special occasions and think in advance about what you will be doing so that you can choose the right shoes to wear for each occasion and wear the right shoes for the job.eg Sturdy shoes for walking, sandles for the beach, etc. etc.
Research from The College of Podiatry shows that 9 in 10 of us experience some sort of foot problem, with one in five admitting to suffering with foot pain often or constantly.
The college of Podiatry offers the following tips for healthier feet:
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Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Your feet swell as the day goes on and if shoes fit in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest, you can be assured they will always be comfortable.
If you have to wear heels at work, wear comfortable shoes to and from the office and only wear your smart shoes once you're in the office. Also, try to vary the heel height, between low, medium and high.
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Keep your feet clean by washing them every day in warm soapy water, but don't soak them, as this might destroy your skin's natural oils.
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Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them, especially between the toes which is where fungal infections such as athlete's foot can develop.
If your skin is dry, apply moisturising cream all over the foot, except for between the toes. Gently remove hard skin and calluses with a pumice stone or foot file – don't overdo it, though, or skin will grow back harder than ever.
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Trim your toenails regularly using proper nail clippers. Cut straight across, never at an angle or down the edges..
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Change your socks daily to keep your feet fresh. Dirty socks make smelly feet and smelly feet can be horrible for everyone.