Celebrate National I Love My Feet Day with Us
This month, we celebrate National I Love My Feet Day on August 17. As your podiatrist in Westfield, IN, it’s obviously one of our favorite holidays! But it should be yours, too. And here’s why.
Think of all the things your feet do for you, every single day. They help you walk, run, hike, jog, dance, stand and so much more. Take good care of your feet, and they’ll keep doing these crucial jobs for years to come. But ignore their pain, or forego their proper care, and your life could be greatly impacted.
Of course, that’s not something any of us wants to experience. So, how can we care for our feet on their special day and every day that follows? Read on to find out!
Why National I Love My Feet Day Matters
Back in 2018, the American Podiatric Medical Association surveyed close to 1,300 adults, and about 75% of respondents said they have foot problems. Some complained about problems with sweaty, smelly feet and ugly toenails. Others suffered with painful bunions or even broken bones. Either way, for most of us, our suffering comes from not showing our feet enough love and addressing any foot or ankle problems right away!
Want to change that story? Here are eight ways to give your feet some much-needed TLC.
8 Ways to Celebrate National Love My Feet Day
Keep your feet nice and clean with a daily wash, using soap and warm water. Be sure to thoroughly dry them afterward, especially between the toes.
Stretch and massage your feet every day. This can boost blood flow to your extremities, and prevent tight muscles from triggering inflammation in your plantar fascia.
Match your shoes to your activities and make sure your shoes offer enough support. Keep all heels 1 ½ inches or below. Avoid pointy-toed shoes as they put extra pressure on the bones in your toes. This can cause them to shift and may leave you with bunions and hammertoes. Wear sport-specific sneakers during athletic activities. And be sure to wear properly rated protective footgear if your work involves heavy objects or falling debris.
In hot or wet weather, make sure to regularly change damp socks. Thoroughly dry your feet off before slipping on clean socks.
Moisturize your feet every day to prevent dry, cracked heels.
Lather your feet with sunscreen when stepping out in open sandals and at the beach or pool. This is a critical way to prevent foot skin cancer.
When clipping toenails, trim straight across and don’t go too short. Ideally, you’ll leave a bit of visible white nail, to help prevent ingrown toenails.
Never go barefoot, even at home. Walking without shoes can leave you with foot pain. And it can also expose you to bacteria and foot fungus, especially on shared, damp surfaces like pool decks or locker rooms.
Already experiencing foot pain? Don’t wait until National I Love My Feet Day to address the problem. Make an appointment with Dr. David Sullivan today, so your feet will feel great all year long!