Women want not only healthy feet but pretty feet. Many women wear high-heeled or pointy-toed shoes that only add to foot pain and problems‚ including painful bunions. Women also often spend long hours on their feet‚ which can cause the feet‚ ankles and legs to become swollen and tired. The following tips are recommended to follow at the end of a long day.
- Never walk barefoot.
- Check feet every day for injury.
- Wash feet daily in warm, soapy water.
- Moisturize the soles of feet with unscented lotion immediately after bathing.
- Avoid scented lotions, as they contain alcohol that may dry the feet.
- Check shoes to make sure they are free of stones and sharp or lumpy objects, like a child's toy.
- Wear loose socks in bed if feet are cold -- do not use hot water or heating pads to warm cold feet.
- Make regular visits to a podiatrist.
- Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
- Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
- Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
- Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
- Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running).
- Scrub your feet with a gentle Scrub.
- Exfoliate your feet to remove roughness.
Home Pedicure:
Soak the feet in warm water, adding a few drops of dettol or any other disinfectant. Scrub the toe nails with a fairly stiff nail-brush. Rub any hard skin with a pumic stone. Never try to cut hard skin as this can be dangerous. Dry the feet carefully, especially between the toes.
Women who always wear sandals and flat heels can develop fallen arches. On the other hand, continually wearing high heels can also be harmful because the weight of the body being constantly thrown on the toes. A variation in the height of the heels is, therefore, recommended. Look after your shoes, cleaning them regularly and keeping them in good repair—particularly the heels—not only for appearance’s sake but for your own comfort too. Get well-fitting shoes with sufficient space (1.5 cm) between your big toe and the tip. In winter, keep your feet warm to avoid the risk of chilblains.
Exercise for the Feet:
- Foot Stretch: Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you. Loop the towel around your feet. Keeping the heels on the floor, pull with both hands. Use the towel to draw the mid foot and toes towards your body. Hold for few seconds, relax, repeat 5 times.
- Foot turn in: Starting in a sitting position turn your whole food and ankle inwards towards your midline. You will feel a gentle stretch on the outside of your calf and ankle. Hold, relax and repeat.
- Foot turn out: Starting in a sitting position with your legs straight out in front of you. Turn your whole foot and ankle outwards, away from your midline, so that you feel a gentle stretch on the inside of your calf and ankle. Hold, relax and repeat.
A foot massage can be performed at any time you wish or as part of a home pedicure procedure. The following illustrations depict some standard foot massage techniques that a nail technician might perform on a client during a pedicure. Wear lose, comfortable clothes and sit comfortably with your back supported.
For massage you'll need:
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) castor, jojoba, soybean, or extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drop German chamomile essential oil
- 1 drop geranium essential oil
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly. Yields 1 treatment.
Massaging Technique:
- Start by relaxing your foot. Hold your foot so that one hand is on the sole and one on the top. If using a massaging oil or lotion, protect clothing and furniture with a towel or two. Rub oiled or creamed hands together vigorously to warm them before beginning the foot massage. Working from your ankle to your toes. Massages it with long, firm strokes. Stroking, stimulates circulation and warms the foot.
- Holding your heel in one hand and your toes in the other circle your foot five times clockwise then anticlockwise. This will loosen the joints and relax the foot.
- Starting with your big toe, stroke the length of each toe in turn and, when your reach the tip, pull gently to stretch it out. Repeat this three times. Pulls and Squeezes can be very calming.
- Using our thumb and starting at your big toe move along the line of pads just below your toes. Press on each one firmly before moving on to the next. Work your way to your little toe, then change hands and, using your other thumb, work your way back. Repeat twice.
Home-made Feet Masks & Scrubs:
Warm Pumpkin Feet Mask:
- 4 ounces canned pumpkin
- 1 tsp. olive oil
Heat pumpkin for a minute. Add olive oil and blend until thick and pasty. Coat feet in thick layer of paste. Wrap them up in plastic wrap. Warm two hand towels and wrap around plastic. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Follow with rich foot cream.
Lemon Feet Mask:
- 1 egg
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a blend and blend until well combined. Pour the mixture into a bowl large enough to soak your feet in. A large plastic food storage container works well. To use, soak your clean feet in the mixture for about 15 minutes. Use your toes and feet to massage your toes and feet with the mask. If it's convenient and comfortable, use can hold your feet up long enough for the mixture to dry a bit. Then soak again. Afterward, rinse feet well with warm water and give yourself a light feet massage with any kind of massage oil you have on hand. Enjoy your pampered feet!!
Sea Foam Feet Scrub:
- 3/4 cup sea salt
- 1 teaspoon clean sand
- 1 teaspoon canola oil (or other oil on hand)
- 1 tablespoon blue or green colored liquid
Dump the salt and sand into a bowl and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, combine the canola oil and blue liquid soap and stir well. Pour the canola oil/blue soap mixture into the salt/sand mixture and stir to mix well. Make sure the color is evenly distributed. To use, let your feet soak for 10 minutes, and then scoop up a small amount of the scrub. Scrub your feet all over for about 30 seconds and then rinse. Repeat. Then do the same thing on the other foot. Dry your feet off, and then slather them in your favorite lotion. Ta-Da!
So go ahead and give your feet a nice home made SPA ;)Do leave me a comment in case you try any of the above :)
Stay Beautiful ;)
AK
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