Summer is just around the corner and amidst all the outings, events and social gatherings you are likely attending, you may be finding it hard to find time for yourself. It is important in any season to take time to focus on self care, which includes caring for your feet as well. Taking a little extra time to ensure your feet are well taken care of will get you through this season and the ones to come!

Foot care is an important part of overall health care. If not done right, foot complications can arise and people definitely don’t want those! One way to ensure that you are taking good care of your feet is to educate yourself. Foot care is not very complicated and in fact can be done as a part of your regular daily routine. Here are a few tips for self foot care:

 

 

1. Start by putting your feet up

There’s a good reason that putting your feet up at the end of a long day feels so good. In this case, you’ll want to lay down and put your feet up above the level of your heart. For example, laying in bed and propping your feet up on the wall, or laying on the couch and resting your feet up and the armrest. This position works with gravity to bring excess fluids down and out of the tissues of your feet and legs, helping reduce swelling, relaxing tired muscles, and leaving your feet feeling relieved.

2. Soak your feet

Soaking your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes promotes blood flow and circulation to the area, helping reduce foot fatigue, soothe tired muscles and soften the skin. If you have any around, add some Epsom salts to your foot bath as they are thought to enhance skin softening and exfoliation, relieve muscle tension and to promote relaxation.

Note: If you have diabetes, you’ll want to be extra careful with the temperature of your water as you may not be able to feel if it is too hot and damaging your skin.

3. Moisturize & massage

After soaking, ensure you dry your feet well, then it’s time to get the moisturizer out to help keep the skin on your feet soft and give you maximum sensation. You can massage the cream into your feet, promoting circulation and working to help release muscles that may be stiff, tight or tired.

4. Trim & file your toenails

Next, it’s time to trim and file your toenails. You want to trim your nails straight across the nail and not cut down the sides to reduce your risk of developing a painful ingrown toenail. Use proper nail clippers and a diamond nail file.

5. Paint your toenails – or let them breathe

Now you have a choice – you can paint your toenails, or remove any polish and let them breathe and recover. If you’re regularly painting your nails, we recommend having a break of one week between applying the polish. If you are choosing to paint your nails, choose a polish containing organic ingredients. 

6. Keep your feet supported at home

When we’re not wearing our good outdoor shoes, our feet and arches can quickly tire from walking around our house all day. After your nails are painted and dry – or your polish is removed – put on some flip flops or sandals to keep your feet and arches happy around the home:)

Last but not least, go out and celebrate your feet, it's their season to shine!

Check out our crystal flip flops to match your beautiful and groomed feet.