Practice some kindness this winter
by Kathryn
Streeter, AARP,
February 27, 2019
Every winter I sigh when I send my cute summer
feet underground into socks and boots for the season. There they go, buh-bye,
all sun-kissed and wonderfully moisturized, flaunting a sassy pedicure.
Perpetually covered, they will not see the light of day all winter. Let’s be
honest, when spring comes my feet are not ready for public consumption. Oh no,
they are pasty white and wrinkly from being cooped up in winter boots. You’ve
heard — if not seen — what a broken arm looks like after it’s healed and
emancipated from its plaster cast, right? Pale. Yep. Wrinkly. Yep. A bit
unsightly. Yep.
Toenails hastily clipped during winter so they
don’t blow a hole through socks have clearly been neglected. For goodness’
sake, there’s the telltale sock fuzz stubbornly embedded around the nail. And
my heels? Reddened and protruding, looking freakishly disfigured, because,
sigh, there was that new pair of Michael Kors suede boots that took most of
last winter to break in. I went through boxes of Band-Aids and felt triumphant
when I could finally wear the boots without any heel pain! But damn, I looked good. The pain
was worth it, I thought, until I evaluated the damage as I returned to summer
wear: corns, calluses, Haglund’s deformity and heel spurs. Lots to wrap your
mind around, how well I know.
Here are eight ways to practice kindness on
your feet this winter.
1. Pedicures. Keep them coming through the winter. Why stop the TLC?
Give your feet the professional attention they deserve, because after all, they
need all the help they can get! In between those indulgent pedicures, there are
many ways you’ll want to shower kindness on your feet, such as …
2. Epsom salts bath soaks. They benefit the whole body, feet included.
Add several drops of your favorite essential oil to boost your soak, and relish
the “work” of taking care of your feet. Or, try the Epsom Salt Tea-Tree Oil
Foot Soak, mixed with your needy feet in mind.
3. Pumice stone. It’s the humble go-to: affordable and
easy to find. The varieties are endless, from the natural lava-infused to the
general two-sided variety you can find at the grocery store. Give your stone a warm soak before
setting about the grim business, because dry stones are a big no-no.
4. Ped Egg. Who hasn’t heard of it?! For those
needing — ahem — more (you know who you are), try this popular little tool that
offers three different ways to address calluses and corns, leaving feet smooth
and shiny. Caution: Always use on dry feet.
5. Toenails. Buffing your
toenails — like you would fingernails — helps keep the surface smooth and
increase circulation. Toenails knock up against the tops of your shoes all
winter and will benefit from a light sanding. Gently push back cuticles. If
cuticles are overly dry during winter, try a dab of olive oil or vitamin E oil.
6. Socks. You read labels all the time, why stop when you’re selecting what
to clothe your feet in all winter long? The cardinal rule: Avoid cotton socks.
They. Don’t. Breathe. They create the perfect sweaty environment for fungus to
grow (yuck), adding to your misery. Athlete’s foot is so yesterday, my friend.
Instead, try winter socks made with merino wool, which
provides wicking action and warmth.
7. Moisturizing. Keep feet silky and healthy by
faithfully moisturizing through the winter. Shake up your routine by adding
coconut oil to your assembly of options. Consider moisturizing before bed and
throwing on some therapeutic aloe socks to lock in moisture
overnight.
8. C’mon! Be smart when you buy. Don’t
be deceived — being kind to your feet and fashionable are not mutually
exclusive ambitions. The marketplace has many great labels built to love on
your feet and make you look like a boss when you float down the sidewalk.
Kathryn Streeter’s writing has appeared in
publications including the Washington Post, the Week and Austin
American-Statesman. Find her on Twitter @streeterkathryn.
https://www.aarp.org/disrupt-aging/stories/info-2019/coping-with-aging-feet.html?intcmp=AE-DA-STR-IL
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