Winter is coming! With the colder months approaching it’s about time to break out the warm coats and find a matching pair of gloves. Our feet often get neglected during the winter months, hidden away behind several layers they often fail to get the attention they deserve.
Being close to the ground the feet are at more risk of getting damp, and being so far from the core of the body they will be the first to be affected by poor circulation and coldness.
Keep your feet from looking blue with these five bits of advice.
1. Invest in Socks
There’s nothing worse than wet, cold feet. Aside from being uncomfortable, wet and cold feet are more susceptible to injury and infection. Keep feet toasty and warm with good quality, thick socks.
Look for natural materials like merino wool, which aside from being incredibly soft, is excellent for temperature regulation. Bamboo fibre socks are another excellent choice, the bamboo fibres work to wick away moisture, keeping your feet dry. Try to avoid cotton, it’s a poor insulator and takes ages to dry.
Remember, often thinner socks made from quality materials like merino wool will be more comfortable and warmer than thicker socks made from poor quality materials.
2. Shoes and Slippers
When you’re out and about be sure to wear good quality waterproof shoes and boots that’ll keep your feet warm and insulated. Make sure there’s room to accommodate thicker socks, or you may find yourself left with uncomfortable blisters. Also, use moisture repelling insoles to add an extra layer between your feet and the ground keeping them insulated against the cold. If you’re taking part in strenuous activity then breathable footwear will allow perspiration to escape, keeping your socks dryer.
Treat yourself to a pair of slippers for inside the house, they’ll keep your feet insulated on cold, hard floors, and keep them cosy when you’re relaxing after your Christmas dinner.
3. Use Warming Creams
Feet still freezing? Try a warming cream. These creams work in a number of ways, encouraging blood circulation and strengthening the skin to increase muscle temperature. Warming creams are a fantastic way to soothe the pain caused by chilblains, itchy swellings that appear on the skin after exposure to the cold.
Especially useful before taking part in sorts or exercise, foot warming creams can prevent injuries caused by inadequate warm ups, so they’re equally essential whether you’re a fan of extreme winter sports or prefer a Christmas time stroll.
4. Keep Feet Moisturised & Exfoliated
Keeping feet wrapped in socks and slippers through the winter will mean your feet won’t feel the benefits of natural exfoliation. Use an exfoliating scrub to revitalise your feet and remove dry and cracked skin, which is more common in cold conditions. Follow up by massaging a moisturising cream into your feet and toes to keep the skin feeling soft and supple. You should aim to give your feet the same treatment you would your face to keep the skin healthy and nourished.
5. Work Out Your Feet
Your feet are often neglected when working out, but there’s nothing better than exercise to keep blood circulation strong. Good circulation will keep your feet and toes warmer and help reduce the time it takes to recover from injuries like cuts and blisters. Check out our post on foot exercises to do at home for ideas. You can also get hold of specialised equipment for exercising your feet, something to consider when writing up your Christmas list!
