“The really important thing is not to live, but to live well… and to live well means the same thing as to live honourably or rightly.” – Socrates
Article Authors: Gordon Slater| Tandose Sambo
The more you know, the happier and healthier you will be. The end of a year is the perfect time to review how you feel in terms of all aspects of your life, inclusive of your orthopaedic health. One of the best ways you can check in with yourself is to keep an orthopaedic journal. If your feet are healthy, you may still want to identify a routine that works well for you. This means that you have done something right to keep them in optimum condition. If you notice that there are opportunities to improve your foot health, then talk to your orthopaedic surgeon about a path that you can take in order to ensure that your feet are in great condition.
Here are a few tips to utilize during the holidays and beyond, that will ensure that you have happy feet during this festive time.
- Daily Foot Inspection: The best time to inspect your feet is right before bedtime. During the mornings we are often primed to tackle the responsibilities of the day. We often have to get ourselves and family members ready for either work or school. The pandemic has changed things slightly, but the responsibilities have remained. Once the work day ends, you have to remind yourself to unwind and return to a state of calm.. As you prepare to rest, take the time to look after yourself. This could be in the evening once you are getting ready for bed. After your shower, you can take the time to check your feet for any bruises, swelling or ingrown toenails that can affect the health of your feet. A great tool to have is a hand held mirror, so that you can see the base of your feet, and the back of your heels. If you still can’t manage, you can use this as an opportunity to have your partner or your children check for you. It is the little things that keep you healthy.
- Improve the circulation of your feet: The laws of physics always work in our favour. When you warm an object, it will expand. The blood vessels in your body are cylindrical tubes that facilitate the flow of your blood throughout your being. Washing your feet daily with warm water will facilitate the dilation of your blood vessels, and improve the circulation of your blood. With more blood flow, you can heal faster as more nutrients are available to your organs. If you so desire, you can add essential oils to your bath and raise the healing therapeutic properties of the water. Wash your feet with a soft washcloth, and carefully dry them after your bath.
- Take Care of Your Skin: The largest organ in the body is the skin. Skin loves and needs moisture in order to heal itself. Use a moisturizer such as Eucerin or Vaseline to keep your skin moisturized and minimize the occurrence of dryness or cracking. Air dry your feet to minimize fungal infections.
- Schedule weekly pedicures: Now that we all have access to information, you can actually schedule weekly pedicures for yourself. To minimize the costs, research how to conduct your own at home pedicures. Stop by your local beauty supply store and stock up on any essentials that you may need. These essentials include nail clippers, a nail file, a foot soak such as Epsom Salts, and foot lotion. If you are female, you may purchase a few nail polishes that will complement your style. When you’re cutting your toenails, ensure that they are cut straight and filed. Do what you can to minimize the occurrence of ingrown toenails, because the induced cuts can lead to ulcers. If you see a cut or wound, see your doctor.
- Invest in a foot spa. Purchasing a foot spa is a great investment for your feet. This is a luxury purchase, and if you want to acquire one, wait until critical sales in order to score a foot spa at the best price. Occasions such as Black Friday or even in the After Christmas Sales, are the best time to get a spa for your weekly pedicures.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a great start to upgrade your foot care. What gets scheduled, will get managed. As with all medical conditions, do consult with your orthopaedic surgeon, in order to ensure that you are getting the appropriate care. Your health is your wealth! Have a great rest of 2021.
