5 Ways to Soothe Your Feet after Working a Long Shift

5 Ways to Soothe Your Feet after Working a Long Shift Tired and sore feet are a common complaint for many nurses, and understandably so.

You are on your feet for many hours. The torture you put your feet through during one shift is enough to make you tired just thinking about it. No wonder they are aching. So what do you do? Well, you could go home, keep going and try to ignore that agonizing pain. Or, you could go home, pamper and soothe your aching feet.

After all, you know you deserve it.

Wearing Appropriate Shoes The first thing you should consider is, are you wearing appropriate shoes for the type of work you are doing? You should make sure that your shoes fit comfortably. No shoes with narrow toes, or elevated heels, that is only going to add to your pain from walking all day. Instead, opt for shoes with a supportive sole that distributes weight evenly.

Invest in a good supportive pair of shoes; your feet really need that in order to support those long hectic shifts. Add inserts to your shoes for added shock absorbent protection, it may make a big difference in how your feet feel at the end of the day.

Rotate shoes every day, or if you are working a 12 hour shift, consider taking a pair of shoes to switch into mid way through your shift. It can make your feet feel more comfortable by offering a different feel when walking. Most people don’t consider that their sock choice can have an impact on foot comfort, but it can. Be sure to select socks that hug your feet so they don’t bunch up and cause discomfort. The right shoes and socks can offer some comfort to those long shifts, and make your tired, aching feet a little less tired and aching.

Related: 5 Ways to Cheer Up Your Geriatric Patients Caring for Your Feet at Home: Soaking & Elevating Elevate your feet when resting. A main reason that feet get sore is due to swelling.

Raising your feet while sitting down will help to negate gravity and permit blood and lymph fluid to circulate normally. Be sure to keep your feet cool. That will help with the circulation process as well. Remove socks and allow your feet to breathe and get some air. Raising your feet to the level of your heart promotes the circulation. If you are lying down, elevate your feet with a pillow, and don’t cross your ankles, which slows down the blood circulation.

Give your feet a good soaking in Epsom Salt. If your foot pain originates from muscle tension, you need to find a way to relax and soothe the muscles. Epsom salt can significantly reduce pain and swelling. The magnesium in the salt helps muscles relax, and will decrease pain and swelling. Make the water warm, and add about ½ cup Epsom salt to a gallon of warm water. Soak for about 30 minutes. Be sure to remove your feet from soaking after 30 minutes. Too long of a soak will cause the salt to pull fluid from your body. If swelling is present in your feet, follow the warm soak with an ice

bath for about 15 minutes. After you remove your feet from soaking, be sure to pat them dry with a towel, and allow them to dry completely before walking to prevent slips and falls.

Soothing Remedies There are several things you can do once you are home to help soothe your feet. If you only have a few minutes to give your feet a rest, consider using a bottle to roll under your feet. Before you head off to work, use a simple water bottle and place two in the freezer while you are at work. Once home, take the bottles out and place one under each bare foot. Roll under your feet back and forth for a few minutes. It will soothe your feet, and cool them down. If you have time prop your feet up afterwards and allow them to rest and recuperate. Rinse off the water bottles and refreeze for use later.

Consider using a soothing peppermint foot lotion. The peppermint is invigorating and will cool your feet down, making them feel relaxed and rejuvenated. No peppermint lotions? No worries, you can make your own. Using your favorite lotion, add some essential peppermint oil. The oil will revitalize your feet and help add moisture. For an added benefit, pour some of the lotion in a baggie and refrigerate for a half hour prior to using. The chill of the peppermint lotion will invigorate your feet for hours. If you have the luxury of a partner that can offer a foot massage, take them up on it. A massage can relax feet and get the blood circulating again. If you don’t have a volunteer masseuse consider investing in a foot massage device that mimics an actual massage.

Don’t rule out getting a pedicure that offers a foot massage as part of the treatment. If there is any part of your body that deserves to be pampered, it's your feet, and a nice massage will be just what they need to keep you going for that next long shift.

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First Aid Foot Care Don’t ignore dry, cracked skin on your feet. The drier the skin on your feet, the more likely you are to get cracking that may split open. Anytime there is an opening in the skin, it can be a portal for bacteria to enter. Be sure to treat any corns or calluses and use an antibiotic ointment on any sores, cover with a bandage until the sore heals.

Wear white socks that can be bleached, so that your socks are properly sanitized when you wear them. Moisturize your feet daily. After you take a shower or bath, dry your feet thoroughly with a towel, and then allow them to air dry a few minutes. Take a small amount of petroleum jelly and rub it in your hands until it softens. Rub it liberally on your feet, making sure to coat your heels, toes, and any other areas that are dry. After the petroleum jelly, cover your feet with a thick lotion and rub it in well. Place a cotton sock over each foot, and try to avoid walking, just give your feet some rest. Be sure not to walk without socks, the lotion and petroleum jelly will be slick and dangerous. If you have time, prior to putting on the socks, put a large size Ziploc bag over your foot, and then place the sock over it. Sit down, relax, prop your feet up and allow the moisturizer

to be absorbed, as the plastic bag will heat up and cause the moisturizers to penetrate your skin. The results will be smooth, soft and well moisturized feet.

Holistic Foot Treatments Many people swear by acupuncture to relieve foot pain. However, as a nurse you may have seen enough needles for the day, and the last thing you want to see is another needle. Reflexology may be a better solution if you are looking for holistic healing, without involving a needle. You can download a chart that provides a diagram that will show which areas of the foot to concentrate on when massaging, and will, according to reflexology experts, provide healing to your entire body.

Tips for Keeping Feet Healthy • Maintain a healthy body weight. Added weight on your feet makes most existing conditions worse.

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Moisturize feet when the skin appears dry. Hard calluses can turn into painful sores and lead to infections.

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Elevate your feet whenever possible. When taking breaks at work during long shifts, if a chair is available prop your feet up, even if for a few minutes, it will allow blood to flow and rejuvenate your feet for the remainder of your shift.

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Wear proper shoes. Make sure if the shoes have laces that you tie them tight enough so that they don’t slip and slide, that can create blisters, pain, and even be dangerous for walking.

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When you get home, soak your feet, and allow them to rest and rejuvenate. Your feet work hard and deserve a break

If you experience prolonged foot pain or discomfort, be sure to visit a podiatrist. They can diagnose any potential problems and recommend a form of treatment. If you suffer from diabetes, you should take special precautions in caring for your feet. Your physician will do routine checks, and you should inspect your feet several times a week for any wounds or blisters, then care for them accordingly. A little care and pampering will ensure your feet remain healthy and up to the task of carrying you through those long shifts. As a dedicated and hardworking nurse, you provide endless hours of care for others, and it's important you provide some care for yourself as well. Your feet are one of the hardest working parts of your body. Keep them healthy so they can keep you walking.

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