Oh, my aching feet! You’d think because I spend so much time wearing sneakers my feet would never hurt. Sadly, that’s not the case. No matter how fancy or comfortable the shoe, your feet are going to hurt from time to time, especially if you work out frequently. With summer in full swing, you’ll want to treat those tootsies with extra care, so you can switch from sneakers to sandals with ease and always look — and feel — your best.
Here are several things active women can do to keep their feet in good shape all year-round:
Don’t skimp on footwear. When it comes to shoes, don’t skimp. Shop at an athletic store where a professional can help you find the pair that’s best for your needs. If you’re not a runner, I recommend cross-training shoes. They’re great for basic gym exercise and other non-intense athletic activities.
Don’t slack on socks. Think any old pair will do? Think again. You sock choice affects not only comfort level but dryness, as well. If you don’t want sweaty, wet, soggy feet, invest in a few pairs of micro-fiber fabric socks especially designed to wick away moisture.
Soak to relieve stress. After a good workout, treat your feet to a soothing soak using mineral bath salts (add about a cup to a basin full of warm water). Or, try a specialized product such as Jadience Detoxifying Foot Soak, an herb-infused soak designed to deeply penetrate all acupressure points of the feet for balancing and stress relief. Use a pumice stone to remove any dry or hardened skin.
Pamper yourself pretty. After your foot soak, apply a calming lotion such as Desert Essence Organic Pistachio Foot Repair Cream, which softens and protects with organic pistachio oil, organic shea butter and organic macadamia nut oil. I like to use this cream before bedtime, covering my feet with soft socks to let it really soak in overnight. For a lighter, anytime-use lotion, try Shikai Borage Therapy Foot Cream, which is unscented and can be used daily to keep soles and heels soft.
Keep odor at bay. Your hardworking feet sweat just like other parts of your body. Keep them fresh by spritzing on a layer of Crystal Foot Deodorant Spray before your workouts. This all-natural odor preventor is made with mineral salts and provides an invisible protective barrier against odor-causing bacteria.