Everyone is looking for good health and well-being. They want peace and joy in their lives. They want to be fit and not experience poor health. They want good relationships and to live life without too much stress, fear, or anxiety. And while there are countless books, programs, and products to help with all of these things, people don’t always recognize how the little things can make a difference in their needs.
And when it comes to personal and body care, the feet are the last thing that most people consider. They’ll invest in massages for their back pain or go to a chiropractor to get into alignment without realizing that by caring for their feet, they could improve their well-being. Here are some of the ways your feet impact your well-being and what you can do about it.
Your Feet Take You Everywhere
You can’t get anywhere without your feet. They take you to work, to home, when you go shopping. They never leave you. You use them to play with your kids and you use them when you want to get fit and start going on runs. Your wellbeing is essential. If your feet are doing well, then doing all the things will be easier. It gives you one less thing to worry about, and you’ll experience greater health and freedom when your feet are taken care of.
Your Feet Impact Other Parts of Your Body
Have you noticed that when your feet hurt, you walk differently? Your legs get more pressure in strange places, and it feels like your back will go out on you. You get aches in your shoulders, and then that pinched nerve in your neck starts to get aggravated. Your foot health impacts your entire body. If your foot hurts, your whole body suffers. And this can lead to less sleep, irritability, and so much more. One of the best reasons to take good care of your feet is because it will impact your entire well-being if they aren’t doing well.
How to Care for Your Feet Effectively
There are many ways to practice proper podiatric care. The shoes you wear -- or don’t wear! -- and the exercises and routines you follow can have a major impact on their health. Here are some suggestions on how to maintain and care for your feet.
Practice Grounding
You may not think of pampering your feet when you think of going barefoot. But be honest, when was the last time you walked on the earth without shoes? Grounding, or earthing as some people call it, is all about walking freely without the constraints of shoes. Your feet connect to the dirt and there is something in this exchange that can improve your heart rate, help you feel calmer, and give you a sense of wellbeing.
Some scientists have observed that there is a transfer of real electrical energy. Think of the joy you felt as a kid when you would go outside and run in the yard without shoes, or when you would walk in the sand on the beach. This is the feeling you should get in grounding and it’s a great way to care for your feet and your whole body.
Exercise Them
Have you ever done foot exercises? Just a few minutes a day focusing on calf raises, picking up marbles with your toes, and other foot-specific exercises can build the muscles in your feet, making them less prone to injury. In addition to foot exercises, foot stretches go a long way to improving your foot health. Stretch your toes daily. Take them out of restrictive shoes and let them breathe. Your whole body will thank you.
Wear Shoes With Arch Support
Everyone has different needs when it comes to arch support. Some people have high arches and experience pain in shoes that cause them to walk more flat-footed. Others wear shoes with too high of an arch and find themselves wondering why they are so uncomfortable all the time. Find shoes and even women’s slippers with arch support for the best foot health.
Keep Them Clean
Wash and dry your feet daily. This can reduce your risk of fungus and infection. It also forces you to look at your feet for swelling cuts, and other injuries that you might miss. Even if you don’t shower daily, this small habit can improve your health. Some people use powders to help keep them dry especially if they have feet prone to athlete’s foot infections.
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