Christmas is almost here, and if you want the season to be merry and bright for your feet, you have to be mindful about how you protect and care for them throughout the holidays. The cold Minnesota weather can be harsh on your feet and present new challenges to your foot health, so navigate the season with caution. In today’s blog, we share 10 tips for keeping your feet healthy this holiday season.
Keeping Your Feet Jolly This Christmas
If you keep these tips in mind and are a little proactive in how you approach the holiday season, we’re confident that you’ll have a great chance of keeping your feet healthy.
1. Right Shoes For The Job – If you’re going to be out in snow and ice, make sure you have durable weather-resistant boots that have good tread on the bottom to help avoid a slip and fall injury. Similarly, don’t go holiday shopping at the mall in high heels. Wear the right shoes for the job.
2. Moisturize – Moisturizing can help to prevent dry and cracked feet. For more tips on how to prevent cracked skin this winter, check out this blog piece.
3. Limit Sweets And Alcohol – Excess sugar and alcohol can be a recipe for a gout flareup, so make sure that you eat and drink in moderation this holiday season. That can be harder to do if Christmas candy or holiday spirits are plentiful, but remember that overindulging can be hard on your feet.
4. Warm And Dry – Avoid frostbite or other winter-related foot issues by working to keep your feet warm and dry when you’re out and about. Swap out any shoes that have holes, and keep an extra pair of dry socks handy in case your socks get damp.
5. Take Breaks – Be sure to give your feet a break this holiday season. Don’t go out for a marathon shopping session without taking some breaks to get off your feet. Get off your feet this season if they start to hurt.
6. Keep Exercising – Don’t get out of your normal exercise routine just because you’re starting to get busy with the holidays. Stick with your exercise routine to help keep your feet and whole body healthy.
7. Hydrate – Drink plenty of water to help improve circulation to your extremities so that your feet can get a healthy amount of oxygenated blood.
8. Elevate – After a long day on your feet, put your feet up and let them relax. Elevating your feet can help limit swelling or fluid retention, which is especially important if you deal with diabetes or a circulatory issue.
9. Watch Where You Step – Not only does it pay to watch where you step so that you don’t land on one of your son’s new LEGO bricks, but being deliberate with your steps can help you avoid snow and ice that could contribute to a fall. Put down the phone and pay attention to where you’re stepping if there are hazards to account for.
10. See A Specialist – Finally, if you’re dealing with foot or ankle pain this winter and it just won’t go away, connect with a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. Silverman. He’ll help provide you with a specific diagnosis and set you up with an individualized treatment plan.
For more tips, or for help with your foot issue, reach out to the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today. Happy Holidays from all of us at Silverman Ankle & Foot!
