“The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good health lies in successful adjustment to changing stresses on the body.” – Harry J. Johnson

Article Authors: Gordon Slater| Tandose Sambo 

With spring approaching, new life is being generated, and the desire to be out and about is bound to have you wanting to ensure that you have the appropriate shoes for the occasion. Whether you need shoes for running errands, or just want to relax on your porch, spring shoes make the season so much more fun. Many people purchase new shoes seasonally, and often gift shoes to the people that they love. As we mature in all things, we make better decisions, and there are some factors that  can be considered when purchasing new shoes. 

Being organised is one of the best ways to ensure that you purchase perfect fitting, comfortable and safe shoes that will benefit the recipient. From an orthopaedic perspective, there are various mistakes that shoppers make when purchasing shoes including: 

  1. Incorrectly sizing shoes 
  2. Purchasing shoes that affect the gait of the body, and don’t support it properly 
  3. Purchasing for style instead of comfort. Many orthopaedic conditions such as hammertoes, develop from incorrectly fitting shoes. 

Once you know the errors of shoe shopping, you can avoid them. There are a myriad of brick and mortar shoe stores, and online shoe warehouses with a multitude of products that you can skim through. You will be able to comfortably find items for yourself and your family that fit all the critical orthopaedic criteria for good footwear. With all the critical details taken care of…let’s get shopping!!

We all live busy lives, and having a well-organised shoe closet is one of the best ways to have a stress-free life. Prior to shopping, it is always a good idea to take stock of what you already have, find the missing gaps in your shoe collection, and then decide how it is you want to fill them. For instance, if you are upgrading your spring shoes, you may notice that you need beige sandals to match your white pants, or that you want some additional pairs of heels. Having a good inventory is a great idea, so that you don’t overspend when you are ready to make your purchases.

Knowing Your Style

If you’re shopping for yourself, it is always a good idea for you to identify your style. If you are shopping for other members of your family, talk to them and identify their needs. For gifting, if the individual is close to you, it will be easy to detect what they will or will not like. Check their shoe closet, and you’ll be able to see that they have certain patterns or preferences when it comes to shoe shopping that will guide you in your purchase. If you notice that they love heels, you can purchase a pair of espadrilles or wedges, that factor in their orthopaedic health. 

Create A Pamper Kit

At the end of the day, it will always be important to pamper your feet. As one of the most ignored parts of the body, your feet are vital to your mobility. Creating a pamper kit is one of the best ways to ensure that your daily foot care is being accounted for. As a start, you can consult with your orthopaedic surgeon to identify what items will be beneficial to your at home pamper kit. Daily foot care is important, especially if you’re a diabetic,who needs to attend to your feet regularly. If you are healthy, foot care is a great preventative tool. Instead of self-care feeling like a chore, it will feel like a luxury and you’ll want to do it. If you can, indulge in the following: 

  1. A Foot Spa: With a wide range of options from the super affordable to the super luxe, it is possible to purchase for yourself an at home foot massager. With this massager, you can facilitate the massaging of your feet, and improve the circulation through your entire feet and ankles. The soothing warm water will relax both your feet and your mind. For an affordable foot care option, you can add some lavender dishwashing liquid to your water. Dishwashing liquid is antimicrobial and moisturizing. Additionally, you can purchase foot soaks from your local pharmacy or beauty supply store. 
  2. Epsom Salts: The versatility of epsom salts cannot be stated enough. From an internal perspective, it is the perfect detox for your liver. In your foot spa, or a basin, you can create a salt solution. Fill the bath just about half way, and add half a cup of Epsom salts. If you have any blisters, they will heal with time. Additionally, via osmosis, with a concentrated salt solution, you can detox as the salts in the water will pull toxins from your body through the pores in the soles of your feet. The soles of your feet are actually very sensitive and porus.  
  3. Foot Scrub: After you have soaked your feet, you can facilitate exfoliation by using a foot scrub to massage the feet. You can create your own scrub via a mixture of coffee (after you’ve percolated it and have the ground coffee left over), coconut oil and brown sugar. Apply gently, and let the scrub nourish your feet. 
  4. Foot Cream: With aromatherapy becoming more mainstream, you can actually determine what scents to apply to your feet in order to give yourself a boost. If you’re heading to sleep you can apply a lavender lotion. These are very inexpensive and you can find them in your local pharmacy, near to lotions and candles. If you want to energize your body, you can actually apply an invigorating scent like a mint or citrus scent that will energize the senses once they are stimulated.

With all the above tips, you’ll be well on your way to new comfortable shoes for spring, as well as an appropriate foot care routine.Think style, but incorporate health into your life experiences. 

Happy Shopping!! 

Article Reference: 

A Guide To Gifting Shoes At Christmas: https://www.shoezone.com/Blog/gifting-shoes-at-christmas-your-complete-guide