Avoid Foot Pain this Holiday Season With These 5 Tips
Holiday shopping, cooking and entertaining can add up to whole lot of foot pain at this time of year. (Especially if you try to do all that in your party shoes and high heels.)
Want to look and feel your best from now until you ring in the New Year? Just follow our top 5 tips for preventing holiday foot pain.
Choose shoes wisely.
Let’s say it now—if you’re going to be out for more than an hour or two, look for supportive shoe styles. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to rock athletic shoes at your office holiday party. But it does mean you should choose dress shoe styles with lower heels (1 ½ inches or below), and wider toe boxes to minimize discomfort.
Even better? Try to pack your party shoes in a small tote bag. Then, travel to and from the festivities in more supportive styles, such as athletic shoes.
Grab a seat.
Whether you’re cruising the mall or trimming the tree, try to avoid spending hours at a time on your feet—that can lead to pain and swelling when you finally get home. Instead, aim to take a load off every 45 minutes to an hour if possible. Whether you sit on a mall bench or grab a bite in the mall food court, taking a break could make a major difference at the end of the day.
Build a home spa.
If you have been putting lots of pressure on your feet, counter balance that action with some pampering home foot care. Try stretching out your feet and toes at the end of the day. Then, consider a long soak in warm water with Epsom salt. And, if you’re really feeling indulgent, end the routine with a soothing self-massage, complete with moisturizing cream to prevent dry winter skin from painful cracking.
Consider your diet.
At this time of year, it’s easy to load up on sweet and salty snacks—but both can pose a threat to your feet. A sugary, high calorie diet can raise your risk for type 2 diabetes or make it difficult to control your existing disease. (Which can leave you with painful foot complications.) Plus, any weight gain will put more pressure on your feet, which can make every movement more painful. So, give your feet a break and try to limit your unhealthy snack intake this holiday season.
Work with a buddy and plan for safety.
Each year, holiday decorating attempts like hanging outdoor lights lead to trips, falls and so many foot injuries. Do yourself a favor—when climbing a ladder to hang your decorations, check for stability and bring a spotter along for added protection.
If any holiday activities lead to chronic pain or injury, don’t ignore the pain until after the holiday rush. Instead, make an immediate appointment with our Westfield podiatry practice. That way, you’ll be able to walk comfortably into 2022!