As we get older, our bodies start finding everyday tasks more and more difficult. Backs start aching and knees start clicking. Often, our feet also start to feel the effects of age. Our feet have 26 bones in them, with 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. Amazing right!
Now, as we age, these joints and bones deteriorate and diminish. It’s natural but can also be worsened by how you treat your feet now. For instance, the shoes you wear, the way you run, your weight, and even how active your lifestyle is can all influence how your feet adapt as you age. In this article, we’ll explore some ways in which you can look after your feet as you get older.
Table of Contents
Purchase The Right Shoes
First things first, these days many people spend most of their time wearing shoes or sandals. Generally, we buy shoes based on their appearance or function; we rarely consider how they’ll impact our feet over time. Thankfully, many reputable shoe manufacturers prioritise designing shoes that’ll benefit your foot’s health and support its joints and bone structure for the activity they’re designed for. That said, it’s vital that you choose a pair of shoes that offers you a decent amount of support. A good pair of shoes will:
- Soften the impact of running or walking on your foot
- Support your feet while you walk, ensuring that they remain in the right position
Wash Your Feet Often
Good foot hygiene is also vital to maintaining your foot health. By keeping your feet healthy, you’ll avoid things like athlete’s foot developing or catching fungus under your toenails. The best time to wash your feet is whenever you shower or bathe. Give them a good scrub with an antibacterial soap and be sure to dry them well afterwards, especially if you’re going to put shoes on afterwards.
Moisturise Them
Age comes for all of us, and often, dry skin comes along with it. As you age, the skin on your feet begins to get dryer and thinner. As a result, it might crack and flake, which can become itchy and be uncomfortable. To avoid this, using moisturiser to hydrate your skin and lock in its moisture is a great way to keep your feet feeling and looking healthier.
Check The Often
We often overlook our feet (literally) when it comes to looking after our bodies. But, if you think about it, if something happens to your feet, then your ability to be mobile is completely compromised. For this reason, caring for your feet also means that you should check them regularly. Look for cracks, sores, calluses, warts, or signs of bad blood flow that could become an issue later on. By looking for these issues, you’re simply giving yourself more time to deal with them or prevent the issues from getting worse.
Tend To Any Pain Or Discomfort When They Occur
Throughout our lives, we tend to damage our feet by doing various activities. Exhibit A: we’re pretty sure that everyone alive has stubbed their big toe at least once in their life. However, other issues can occur as well, like plantar fasciitis, a ligament issue that can be quite painful in the arch of your foot. If you experience pain or discomfort in your feet, consider seeing a doctor to diagnose the issue so you can treat it accordingly. Some issues are progressive, and if not dealt with, they can get worse.
Care For Your Nails
Caring for your nails is also an essential part of foot care. Our nails tend to collect a lot of dirt and bacteria, even fungus at times. Some fungus infections can get under your nail, causing them to disfigure and lift as the fungus grows. By cutting your toenails regularly and correctly as well as cleaning under your nails, you can avoid this from ever happening.
Have A Foot Massage
A foot massage is an incredible way to relax and alleviate stress. However, many people aren’t aware of just how much tension builds up in their feet. This tension causes ligaments to tighten, reducing mobility and increasing the chance of muscle soreness when you exercise or even walk for an extended period. However, when you go for a foot massage, you essentially loosen the tension between your foot muscles, alleviating pain and increasing your mobility.
Look After Your Body Weight
Your body weight can also have an impact on your foot health. Your joints aren’t designed to handle excessive weight so if you pack on the pounds the impact on your joints and ligaments can be damaging and long-lasting, causing damage that’s irreversible.
Exercise
Finally, one of the best ways to maintain good foot health is simply to use your feet. Walking and swimming both offer you a good workout for your feet. By exercising, you’ll engage every part of your feet. Stretch the ligaments and work the muscles so they get stronger and more durable. It’ll also get your blood pumping, improving the circulation in your feet and in the rest of your body. You don’t need to do something taxing like playing an hour of Squash, a simple 15-30-minute walk would suffice.
Final Thoughts
Look after your feet while you’re young! Trust us, having issues with your feet in your old age isn’t fun. If you’re worried about your foot health or simply just want more advice on how to look after your feet, contact The Feet People. They’d be happy to help you do everything you can to look after your feet!
