Feet care

Flip-Flops More Dangerous Than High Heels

Science is in the close collaboration with our every day life now. Constant researches give us information about the things we use or do every day without knowing if it’s good for us or vise versa. Recently, there was a study concerning Flip-Flops. In fact it’s very interesting and timely, as far as it’s summer outside.

So, we all adore wearing flip-flops as they perfectly fit our shorts, jeans, skirts. Moreover, there are plenty of various-colored summer comfortable shoes. We feel easy and even relaxed having them on.

But the research showed that they are not as good as it may seem. The podiatrists explain the point as the following: this footwear can cause aches and pains all over the body and cause more damage, than the accused high heels.

One of the researchers from the American College of Sport Medicine says that the problem is that the summer footwear makes our feet feel defenceless.

It means that we alter our gait unconsciously thus putting more strain to the legs and spine just because we need to keep them on and avoid stubbing out toes while walking. The posture changes from straight to the question-mark one sometimes. That’s a huge load to the spine and neck.

Dr. Rock Positano from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York says:

“The major shock absorption occurs back on the heel, and if the surface between the heel and the ground is not supported it does not allow the heel to absorb shock as well as it should. Which means the foot works harder than it should and people tend to develop overuse injuries such as tendinitis, or in this case, lower leg, knee, hip and back problems.”

However, no one calls you for giving up flip-flops. Just opt for wearing them around the swimming pool or on the beach. The researchers offer.

I think that the most wholesome way to live is to go barefooted, sleep under the open sky and eat what you can find in the forest. I’m kidding!

Homemade Foot Scrubs

When summer comes we often find our feet callous and cracked. This looks bad but can be treated easily. You need to apply foot scrubs, foot soaks and creams to achieve a good result. This will help to remove the dead skin and emerge the new one.

Homemade foot scrub recipes can be prepared using various ingredients. An exfoliating agent is a must. Among those there are: sea salt, brown sugar, Epsom salt, oatmeal.

Each scrub also has a relaxing and soothing ingredient that calms the skin down and prevents any possible irritations. These are mostly essential oils.

Here are some simple but still effective foot scrubs and foot soaks which you can use at home.

Foot Scrub.

You will need:

• 2 tbsps of white sugar
• fresh chopped 15-18 mint leaves
• a few drops of essential lime oil
• 1 tbsp sweet almond essential oil
• 3 fresh limes

Cut limes into small pieces and beat them in a blender to form a solid pulp. After that mix all the ingredients with the limes in a bowl. Apply to your feet.

Rainforest Foot Scrub.

You will need:

• 6-8 drops bayberry oil
• ½ cup fine-ground seas salt
• 6-8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil or glycerin

Combine soda and sea salt together and then mix them in the essential oils. After that, combine in the oil or glycerin.

Apply gently to your feet.

Brown sugar foot scrub.

Ingredients needed:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground oats
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon almond oil (olive oil can be used instead).

Grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or a food processor to form a sandy flaky consistency. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl until you get a paste. Apply the mixture using circular motions. Rinse off with warm water.

Salt foot scrub.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sea salt or Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 drops lavender essential oil

Add water to salt and lavender oil gradually to form a paste, not too liquid or too solid. Rub your feet and soles in circular motions. When you finish, rinse the scrub off with warm water.

Coffee foot scrub.

You need:

• 4 tablespoons ground coffee (fresh is the best)
• 3 tablespoons corn meal (or ground oatmeal)
• 3 tablespoons sea salt or Epsom salt
• 3 tablespoons olive or almond oil
• 2 drops lavender oil

Combine the ingredients and scrub your feet in circular motions. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Foot scrub for rough exfoliation.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons lotion

Simply mix the sugar and lotion in a bowl and work the mixture into your feet. The sugar granules will exfoliate your skin while you massage. Rinse the mixture off your feet with cool water and pat dry.

Ginger Orange Cayenne Warming Foot Scrub.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup sugar (white or brown)
• 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
• 6 drops orange essential oil
• 1 drop ginger essential oil
• 1 level teaspoon powdered cayenne pepper

Mix together the sugar and oil in a plastic bowl. Add the essential oil and stir properly. Add the cayenne pepper last and mix well. Massage vigorously yet with care over heels, ankles, toes, arches and the balls of your feet.

Be sure to scrub any rough areas especially well.

Rosemary Mint Foot Scrub.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup liquid soap base (glycerin)
• 3/4 cup sunflower oil
• 1 ml peppermint essential oil
• 1 ml spearmint essential oil
• 1/2 ml rosemary essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed grape seeds or raspberry seeds

Combine all ingredients, pour into jars and apply to your feet. Wash off with lukewarm water.

Foot Soak.

Ingredients you need:

• small pieces of lime
• several drops lime oil
• half cup sea salt
• 8-12 fresh mint leaves

Combine all the ingredients and add them to hot water.

• Citrus Foot Soak. Ingredients:
• ¼ cup baking soda
• • 5-6 drops lemon essential oil
• • ¼ cup Epsom salt
• • 5-6 drops orange essential oil

Put soda and salt into the essential oils and mix the ingredients carefully. Pour this mixture into an airtight bottle.

Use 2 tbsps of the given foot soak with lots of water.

Herb Foot Soak.

Ingredients you need:

• ¼ cup baking soda
• lavender, peppermint and horsetail leaves
• 1/4 cup Epsom salts
• a few drops of lavender essential oil

Put the soda and salt together and mix them in the essential oils properly.

Store the combination in an airtight bottle. Use 2 tbsps of foot soak with lots of water.

How to Keep Your Feet Healthy

Women tend to forget about taking care of their feet considering face care more important.

Yes, surely, the first thing we see when we look at a person is a face and it has to be perfect. But if we have some problems with other parts of our body it is reflected on our face either. Thus, when you feel pain in your feet you do not look so happy as in situations when you feel comfortable and even if you smile people see that something is wrong with you.

This example clearly demonstrates the importance of taking care of all, even the tiniest parts of a human body. This post is about how to keep your feet healthy and undamaged.
It is obvious that feet may reflect your general health and comfort. Such symptoms as persistent pain or soreness must be taken as warning signs.

If you neglect pain, it can deteriorate and become really dangerous. As a result you may start walking badly to avoid the pain and that can lead to more serious problems, for instance, with your posture.

The first topic we are going to discuss here is footwear.
• Wear footwear that supports the foot properly, minimizing the chance of injury.
• Prefer footwear made of natural materials, it will provide your feet with a better opportunity to breathe.
• Don’t wear the same shoes every day.
• Vary shoe types and your heel heights from day to day, one-day wearing low heels, and the next day slightly higher heels. Avoid wearing too high heels. It looks nice but is very dangerous. For everyday use, keep heel heights to about 2cm.
• If you wear trainers air them before and after exercise to prevent bacteria build-up.
• Choose shoes with a strap or lace over the instep. This will help to stop your foot sliding forward.
When you have to stand all day long your feet experience great pressure. Coming home you may probably feel very tired to take care of your feet. But it is necessary if you want to keep them healthy. Actually there is not much to do.
• Sit with your feet up for 10 minutes after a long day, it helps circulation.
• Circle your feet ten times in each direction, keeping your leg as still as possible. This is a good exercise for your feet.
• Straighten your toes and wriggle them around.
• To have some fun circle the alphabet with your feet. Besides, it is a good exercise you can do while sitting at your desk in the office.
• Raise, point and then curl your toes for five seconds each, repeated ten times which is particularly good for your toe cramps or hammer toes.
If you suffer from constant pain in your feet and treatment does not work for you consider visiting a specialist. Sometimes a small structural or functional imbalance in the foot may cause problems further up the body. It is significant to notice all slight changes in your state.

And if you think you will not be able to cope with the problem yourself do not wait any longer – visit a professional!