February is here! And, yes, it is cold. But for us, the people of Cincinnati, Ohio, the cold weather means no more than putting on extra layers of clothes when we go out on our winter adventures. In fact, this chilly month is packed full of fun events and exciting times. Why would we ever miss out on that?
Starting with Cincy Beerfest & Blues at the Duke Energy Convention Center and ending with The Price is Right Live at the Jack Cincinnati Casino, there is plenty of exciting times to be had with both family and friends. And anywhere in between, you can count on delicious dinners, beautiful Broadway shows, and thrilling sports games.
In the midst of having a blast, however, we tend to forget about our foot health. Scratch that – no matter what time of the year, we never usually keep in mind the importance of our feet. But the reality is that they not only carry and support us throughout every step of our lives, they also feel most of the weight and impact subjected on our bodies each and every day.
In short, your feet are the foundation to the rest of your bones, muscles, ligaments, etc. And as such, if your feet suffer, so does the rest of your body. One could almost say that your health should be evaluated from the ground up, feet first.
So, if you are already half-way out the door putting the first coat and pair of shoes you can find…
WAIT!
Before you step into your February winter plans, we are here to give you some great tips on how you can ensure your feet are kept healthy, warm and happy throughout your ventures.
Don’t Let Winter Make You Forget About Your Toes
Some of us may be secretly happy to finally be able to hide our toes from the world. Winter is finally upon us, and with it comes closed shoes and heavy boots – in with the fuzzy socks, out with the pedicures. Your toes can now be out of sight and out of mind, right?
Wrong.
You may think that just because your feet are not exposed to the environment as often as they are during warmer weather that they are clean and safe. But this isn’t usually the case. As a matter of fact, just because your feet inevitably go into hiding during the winter, it doesn’t mean you should stop pampering them.
Here are some things you can do to make sure your toes don’t feel neglected:
- Keep your toes toasty – not sweaty. We understand that socks can get sweaty – especially after being stuffed in boots all day. But sweaty socks can not only cause a chilling effect, it can also lead to skin problems. You should opt for socks made of moisture-wicking materials instead, as well as try to alternate between pairs of shoes, and always remove both socks and shoes from your feet immediately after getting home.
- Trim your toenails regularly. Sometimes we can forget that our toenails do grow, even when they are being suffocated on the daily basis by our thick socks and heavy shoes. The truth is that whenever they are in “hiding”, your toenails not only grow, but they are also more susceptible to becoming ingrown. Using proper footwear can prevent these from developing and, again, you should always remove both socks and shoes from your feet immediately after getting home.
- Avoid dry skin. You may be saying to yourself – “wait, didn’t you just say to keep them dry?” Well, yes. But there is a fine line between keeping them dry and the skin on your feet actually being dry. While the weather outside can make your feet damp, the heated air indoors can dry out your skin faster leading to painful cracking on the skin. So, during the winter, you should drink plenty of water and moisturize your feet daily, especially if you already have a history of dry skin.
- Choose the right footwear. And, finally, you should always wear shoes which are appropriate for your feet – this is true rather you are wearing sandals, athletic shoes, or boots. Your shoes should fit properly and provide the right amount of support to your feet. If your shoes are too tight or too loose, you may begin to develop blisters, corns, or even deformities. Instead, try opting for shoes which have plenty of room for your toes to move about freely.
Not exactly sure how to determine the best footwear for you? Don’t sweat it! We have some tips for you to keep in mind whenever you are looking for winter footwear that is warm, well-made and comfortable.
Which Boots Should You Buy?
If you are having difficulties finding the perfect boots for this winter or you’re just looking to add yet another pair to your on-going shoe collection, here are some things you should keep in mind:
- Make sure there is plenty of room in the shoe to move your toes freely.
- Buy boots which are a half size up if you are planning on wearing thick socks with it.
- Look for boots with appropriate arch support and wear your insoles – if you have them.
- Try going for boots with insulated padding, higher shafts and rubber heels.
Materials which are insulated are also great features to look for whenever you are buying winter boots.
Now, go on and get to the fun! And remember, wherever your winter plans take you this February, never forget about your feet.
