Let’s Talk About FOOT HEALTH
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t’s easy to overlook your feet, but taking care of them pays off. Chronic foot discomfort and common foot issues may restrict mobility as we get older. Taking a few easy measures to care for your feet, on the other hand, may help you maintain your mobility. Despite their distance from your heart, the condition of your feet may have an impact on your entire health. Various factors may cause foot ache or discomfort, and you should not ignore it or dismiss it as a regular part of life. For movement, healthy feet are essential. The typical individual walks about a hundred thousand miles in their lifetime. However, we frequently do not pay the same attention to our feet as we do on other areas of our bodies. Keeping your feet healthy should be part of your daily routine. It is preferable to prevent than cure because a painful foot or leg can be debilitating once trouble sets in. Because our feet are so important for being active and independent, when anything goes wrong with them, it may be a mental burden as well. HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET? Shoe trends come and go, but wearing comfortable shoes for the rest of your life is one of the greatest ways to guarantee your mobility. Wearing tight shoes or high heels on occasion for a night out will not harm your feet in the long run. Choose supportive, comfy shoes if you know you’ll be on your feet for most of the day. For jogging, aerobics, and other high-impact sports, invest in
well-fitting athletic shoes. Work shoes should have excellent arch support as well. This aids in the reduction of leg and foot weakness and pain. You may get arch support insoles from a pharmacy or an athletic shop if your shoes don’t offer adequate support. With aging, the skin on the feet thins and becomes drier; callused feet may break and bleed, producing discomfort. After showers or baths, massage a thick moisturizing lotion into your feet as required to maintain the skin smooth. When you shower or bathe, properly wash and dry your feet. To prevent ingrown toenails, cut toenails straight across. Remove calluses using a pumice stone or a foot file. Consider all of the activities that put a strain on your feet. Your work may demand you to stand or walk for long periods. Running, for example, may have a significant effect on your feet. Women often stuff their feet into shoes that don’t provide enough space or support, such as floppy sandals or a pair of pumps that were too good to pass up. Many individuals go about in shoes that are too small for them. This restricts blood flow to your feet, increases the risk of blisters, and makes walking or standing difficult, if not impossible. Having your feet measured may help you make smarter shoe purchases and reduce pain. At the end of a busy day, your feet are naturally larger. Buying shoes a half size larger to accommodate arch supports or custom orthotics will be extremely beneficial for you.
If discomfort in your feet prevents you from exercising or just moving about as much as you’d want, it’s time to see your doctor or a podiatrist, or a foot expert. Your toes, as well as your heart and lungs, will thank you. Taking additional care of your feet and legs may go a long way toward keeping you healthy and happy. 130
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THE POWER IS NOW MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2021
