7 Foot Care Hacks to Try

You probably know the benefits of stretching your muscles to improve flexibility and prevent injury. Well, the same goes for your feet. The foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, and 19 muscles according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. And that’s just one of them! You can improve flexibility in your extremities with a few simple stretching exercises, many while sitting at your desk. Medical News Today recommends gentle toe lifts, big toe stretches, and toe splaying, to name a few. 

A foot soak doesn’t just feel amazing, it also helps maintain healthy feet. Fill a small tub with warm water. Then add Epsom salts, a blend of magnesium and sulfate. Indulge yourself in a soothing 20-minute soak. According to  WebMD, a foot soak with Epsom salts may relieve muscle pain and cramps, prevent bacteria overgrowth, soothe sprains, and improve muscle function.

You might go in for a pedicure to keep your feet looking pretty. But it turns out that trimming your toenails will also keep your feet healthy. According to Everyday Health,  trimming ensures that nails grow evenly while also preventing infection. For the best results, leave nails a little long and give them a trim before they rub against your shoes.

If you want to keep it moving, you should choose comfortably fitting shoes that support your feet. Look for walking shoes that conform to the shape of your foot, including the width, length, and arch. According to the Mayo Clinic, supportive, well-fitting shoes may prevent injury and absorb shock when walking or running. So if the shoe fits; wear it!

You might like the way they look, but high heels can wreak havoc on your feet and ankles as well as your back. Wearing heels runs the risk of a sprain or fracture according to Insider. They could even cause arthritis or worsen already existing conditions, like bunions or ingrown toenails. For happy feet, ditch the heels and wear something comfortable instead.

If someone ever walks around with just shoes on, tell them to put a sock in it! While it may be trendy to go sockless, doctors recommend otherwise. According to The Healthy, your feet sweat about a half a pint per day, and the lining in many shoes don’t allow your feet to breathe. Don’t forget to wear socks with your shoes. They keep feet dry and may prevent fungal infection.

There are practical reasons for wearing shoes, of course, so you don’t step on something sharp. But humans evolved long before shoes came along. Dr. Bruce Pinker told Healthline that walking barefoot gives your feet better control. It may improve balance and range of motion in the feet, too. Plus it feels so nice to get your toes in the sand or walk in the grass barefoot. You could also feel grounded and connected to the earth. So go ahead and kick your shoes off! 

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