Feet. Those often-overlooked beauties at the end of your ankles are hard workers. Running, climbing, kicking, walking, hiking, dancing, tapping, stomping. You put your feet through a lot on a daily basis, and they deserve a little love. With more than 50 bones, 60 joints and 200 muscles, tendons and ligaments, your feet have a lot to offer, according to Everyday Health.
If you want to show your feet some love, here are a few simple things you can do:
Tape your toes
It's easy to say, "just stop wearing high heels," but when you love dressing to impress and those adorable stilettos are calling your name, well, that's a lot easier said than done.
It's easy to say, "just stop wearing high heels," but when you love dressing to impress and those adorable stilettos are calling your name, well, that's a lot easier said than done.
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Investigative journalist Jess Cartner-Morley tested out the theory that taping your third and fourth toes (counting from the big toe out) together could help relieve pain by easing pressure on the balls of your feet. While not a permanent solution, Cartner-Morley said it helped -- for a while.
"The toe tape definitely helps. It seems to work by altering your balance, and if I'm not mistaken, slightly numbing your feet. It gives you about another mile -- which is worth having," she wrote in The Guardian.
Say buh-bye to blisters
Ease blister pain by applying cooled green tea. The tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which can ease swelling and pain. You can also soak your toes in black tea for relief, according to Everyday Health.
Ease blister pain by applying cooled green tea. The tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which can ease swelling and pain. You can also soak your toes in black tea for relief, according to Everyday Health.
Take care of your shoes
Keep your feet dressed in style by taking care of your shoes. Shoes that are wet not only stink, but can breed bacteria. Use old newspapers to stuff your wet shoes and let them dry. Keep leather shoes away from direct heat, which will crack when it dries too quickly, Esquire advises.
Keep your feet dressed in style by taking care of your shoes. Shoes that are wet not only stink, but can breed bacteria. Use old newspapers to stuff your wet shoes and let them dry. Keep leather shoes away from direct heat, which will crack when it dries too quickly, Esquire advises.
If your shoes began to smell, have a pro put in new insoles or purchase them yourself.
Choose the right shoes
If you have a lot of foot pain, pain in your shins or lower back pain, the culprit could be your shoes, About Health says. A 2002 study found that 72 percent of the participants weren't wearing the right shoe size! If you aren't sure about your size, go to a shoe store and have them measure your feet. Note: Significant weight loss or gain could affect your shoe size, according to Livestrong, so even if you think you know the right size, you may want to double check.
If you have a lot of foot pain, pain in your shins or lower back pain, the culprit could be your shoes, About Health says. A 2002 study found that 72 percent of the participants weren't wearing the right shoe size! If you aren't sure about your size, go to a shoe store and have them measure your feet. Note: Significant weight loss or gain could affect your shoe size, according to Livestrong, so even if you think you know the right size, you may want to double check.
Choosing the right athletic shoe is especially important because you are putting a lot of different types of pressure on your toes when you work out, according to WebMD. For the best results, head to a store that specializes in running shoes to get help from a professional.
Treat your toes to a pedicure
Even a DIY pedicure can help liven up your feet. Soak your feet in sea salt and warm water to help reduce pain and ward off infections, exfoliate to remove dead skin and use a thick moisturizer on your feet before bed, then cover with socks and wake up with softer feet in the morning, The Alternative Daily recommends.
Even a DIY pedicure can help liven up your feet. Soak your feet in sea salt and warm water to help reduce pain and ward off infections, exfoliate to remove dead skin and use a thick moisturizer on your feet before bed, then cover with socks and wake up with softer feet in the morning, The Alternative Daily recommends.
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Your feet help you get from place to place and literally carry you through even the toughest days, so do your feet a favor and pay a little extra attention to them once in a while.