Thanksgiving is one day away, and that means many are gearing up for a long weekend full of family, food and travel. However, this time of year can be especially trying on your feet, so there are some things you should do to help keep them healthy over the Thanksgiving weekend. Below, we share four tips for keeping your feet healthy over the holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving and Your Feet
Here’s a look at four common ways the Thanksgiving holiday weekend can stress your feet, and what you can do to prevent pain from setting in.
1. Long Hours Sitting – Many individuals who have moved for a job or for school will be spending a lot of time in a car or a plane getting back home this weekend. If you have a particularly long ride, your feet can suffer from poor circulation. If you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, make sure you wear compression stockings to help aid in circulation, and take advantage of your ability to get up and move around if you stop for gasoline or the pilot turns off the seat belt sign. Movement helps improve circulation, which is necessary for keeping your feet healthy.
2. Long Hours Standing – On the flip side, a number of people who are cooking a big meal spend hours and hours on their feet in the kitchen. From prepping the turkey, peeling potatoes, baking the pie and doing the dishes, you might feel that there isn’t any time to sit down. Long hours on your feet can overload and overstress them, so as hard as it may seem, try to find some time, even if it’s just for five minutes, to sit down. See if there are any tasks you can do while sitting, or better yet, ask your family for some help so you’re not doing everything all the time.
3. Watch What Your Eat – We know it’s not easy, but try not to overeat when the meal is served. Excessive carbs and sugars can contribute to the onset of inflammation in your feet, which can lead to pain. Also, if you suffer from gout, Thanksgiving is a very difficult time to avoid a flare up if you’re not careful, so go easy on the pumpkin pie and cocktails.
4. Shoe Selection – Finally, if you’re one of those people that goes out Black Friday shopping after Thanksgiving, make sure you choose a comfortable pair of shoes to walk around in. Find a comfortable and supportive shoe that contours to your foot and avoids overstressing one area. You’re going to be walking around on your feet for hours on end, so make sure your feet are comfortable. And whatever you do, don’t go shopping in high heels!