We’ve all been there – after a long day of activity, you get home and your feet are throbbing. Whether you spend an afternoon walking around town, go on a hike, or work on your feet, there will always be days when your tootsies have had enough.
We spend a lot of time on our feet, oftentimes not in the most supportive shoes, and as a result, our feet can get pretty tired and sore. So what can you do when they start aching?
As trite as it might sound, the old saying does have some merit: Put your feet up! Elevating your feet can help reduce swelling. And after a long day of standing and walking, swelling could be the cause of your pain. So get a pillow, kick up your feet and relax.
One of the best ways to feel instant relief is to treat yourself to a foot massage. If you’re lucky, you can find a loved one who’s willing to rub your feet. But if that’s not the case you can always take matters into your own hands (literally), applying light pressure to sore areas. You can also massage your own feet by rolling a tennis ball underneath your arches.
If you really want to pamper yourself, try soaking your feet in warm water with a few drops of essential oils. (If you don’t have essential oils, you can also use peppermint tea!) This relaxing evening routine will improve blood flow and thus relieve pain.
Stretching is also an effective way to reduce pain. Stretch everywhere — arches, achilles tendon, calves — and make sure your feet are getting enough exercise. Wiggle your toes, roll your ankles — anything to get the blood flowing and those muscles moving!
Of course, the best thing you can do for sore feet is prevent pain in the first place. Wearing supportive shoes that fit properly can stave off a lot of foot issues. If you’re spending a significant amount of time on your feet, make sure to take breaks and sit down whenever possible.
Your feet do a lot of work to hold you up all day long, so make sure you’re treating them well in return!