Does the arrival of warmer temperatures and longer days have you breaking out your favorite sandals? While spring and summer shoes can be fun and add a little flare to your everyday outfit as a mom, they’re not always the most functional and supportive. Take care of your feet as sunnier days arrive with these helpful tips for busy moms:
Exfoliate
As a Mom, you spend tons of time on your feet. Chances are a callus or two has formed, not to mention layers of scaly, dead skin that could do with a quick scrub. Exfoliate your feet to slough away dead skin cells and boost circulation. Callus scrapers and razors could cut feet and lead to infection so stick with pumice stones or hydrating scrubs with grainy salts or sugars in them that can safely remove dead layers of skin.
Protect
Did you know that your feet could pick up the fungus that causes athlete’s foot simply by coming into contact with it once, i.e. on the locker room floor at the community pool? Be smart about avoiding this common infection by wearing protective shoes (like flip-flops) in common areas (gym changing rooms, locker room showers, etc).
Support
If warm spring weather has you and your family heading outside for fun adventures like hiking or rock climbing, make sure that you’re wearing sneakers that both fit properly and support and cushion your feet. The last thing you want to do is tweak your ankle or overwork your foot muscles and end up with cramping or worse, an injury.
Refresh
Sweaty feet are a prime breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to serious foot odor. Keep your feet fresh and smell-free by soaking your feet in a home-brewed mint tea for 20 minutes or a natural wash of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 2 parts water. You can also dust with foot powder prior to putting on socks and shoes, and make sure your insoles come with breathable linings to eliminate odors.
Stretch and Strengthen
Keep your feet flexible and strong with basic exercises like rolling your foot over a golf ball, picking up small items on the floor with your toes, and pointing and flexing your feet during your workouts (hold for at least 10 seconds each).
Massage
A little massage goes a long way, especially when it comes to your feet. Ask your partner for a quick foot rub at the end of the day, and use a lotion or oil with a calming scent like lavender or sandalwood to help relieve stress too. If they’re busy, think instead about investing in an electric foot massager you can use when you’re sitting on the couch or doing homework with the kids.
Clean and Dry
It’s even more important to take a couple minutes at the end of each day to thoroughly clean and dry your feet, especially if you have been wearing sandals outdoor where feet can get the dirtiest. Good hygiene coupled with routine moisturizing keeps your feet smelling good and helps protect against common infections and sores.
If you are an expecting mom, you may have already noticed changes in how your feet look and feel. Swollen, achy feet are common among pregnant women and can feel like a real nuisance, especially when you no longer fit into your favorite spring sandals. Experts recommend avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing, resting feet at an elevated level, staying away from high heels, drinking lots of water to flush out sodium which can lead to fluid retention, and going for short walks to keep blood circulating and joints nice and loose.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
It’s interesting that a massage with scented lotions can help with stressed feet. My sister is pregnant with her second child and needs to find more ways to keep her feet relaxed and keep them from hurting. I’ll be sure to share this with her and keep researching ways to help her feet during this pregnancy.