Health conscious people try to consider every aspect of their health. They make a point to eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. They know the importance of respiratory health and cardiovascular health. They even think about their mental health, and the importance of reducing and managing stress. However, even the most health conscious person might not consider his or her feet.
What is there to think about, right? They’re just feet. Keeping your feet healthy might not seem like an important or even necessary thing to do, but when it comes to being healthy you can’t neglect any part of your body. Foot health is important in staying active and healthy. If you don’t take proper care of your feet, you could develop foot problems that can keep you from enjoying an active lifestyle.
Here are some things to think about to help keep your feet healthy.
- Keep your feet covered. Walking barefoot in a field of grass might feel great, but it also leaves your feet exposed and vulnerable to sunburn, ringworm, fungus, broken glass, rocks, etc. Keep them protected, especially in public places. Back in the dorms? Think about shower shoes.
- Wear the right footwear. You want to make sure that your shoes aren’t too tight or too big. Also be sure to wear the appropriate footwear for the appropriate situations. If you’re simply walking around town, flip flops are fine, but they’re aren’t well suited for a mountain expedition. As for high heels, they’re not good for your feet no matter how cute they are. Limit the amount of time you wear them.
- Wash and examine your feet on a daily basis. Bacteria loves dark and damp places. Wearing socks and shoes keeps your feet protected (and lets you go into public buildings), but keeping your feet covered will cause your feet to sweat. Washing your feet often will help prevent fungus or other unwanted foot problems. Examining your feet on a daily basis can help alert you to problems before they get serious.
- Clip your toenails carefully. You don’t want to let your toenails get too long, but when you trim them, be sure not to cut them too short. Clipping your toenails too short or rounding the corners excessively can lead to ingrown toenails, which can be quite painful.
Your feet can be affected by a number of diseases, and can indicate health problems such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, and more. If you have foot problems, you should contact your doctor.