Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. A popular one is to start taking better care of our health. And while this is a great idea, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists finds that most people make the mistake of not thinking about foot health until they have a problem.
However, as any podiatrist would tell you, keeping your feet healthy is beneficial to your overall health. They can be an indication of what is going on with the rest of your body, ranging from poor posture to diminished blood circulation.
Today we’re sharing seven resolutions to get – and maintain – healthier feet in 2019.
Exercise. Many people don’t realize how much working out can impact the health of their feet. Walking, which is one of the simplest forms of exercise, works miracles for keeping your feet in shape. Healthy feet are essential for people who play sports or work on their feet all day.- Watch what you eat. What you eat affects your body, and that includes your feet. To keep your feet healthy, cut back on foods that cause inflammation in the body, such as sugar and artificial trans fats.
- Stick to a daily foot care routine. Each night before bed, cleanse your feet and put on moisturizer to help prevent dryness.
- Put an end to foot pain. If your feet are bothering you on a regular basis, it is time to visit your podiatrist. In many cases, foot pain is the result of the interaction between your way of walking and your footwear. The first step in relieving your discomfort is to see your podiatrist.
- Switch out your athletic shoes every six months. Even the best athletic shoe will lose its capacity to provide proper support for your feet over time. If you continue, wearing them when they’re worn out can affect the alignment of your foot and put you at a higher risk for sports-related injuries.
- Limit time spent wearing flip-flops and high heels. When you wear flip-flops, your feet are not getting any support, and the open design leaves your feet vulnerable to infections and injury. On the other hand, high heels force your feet into a very unnatural position that can affect the structure of the foot resulting in corns, calluses, and bunions, among other things. Wearing them once in a while is fine, but try to wear protective and supportive shoes most of the time.
- Make sure you’re wearing the correct size shoe. Wearing the wrong size shoe is estimated to result in up to 80 percent of foot problems. Next time you purchase shoes, have your foot measured to ensure that you are buying the correct size.
Unfortunately, often foot care is overlooked. Following these foot care resolutions can help prevent foot pain from occurring. If you are experiencing chronic foot pain – or any other issue with your feet or ankles, call Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists today at (425) 455-0936 to schedule a consultation.
