Fall in love with your feet this autumn

It’s that magical time of year in Blacksburg, Virginia – the trees are the colors of Hokie birds, the air smells of crunchy leaves, and the townspeople are still grasping for those lingering yet diminishing warm-weather moments. The funny thing about Blacksburg autumns is that plenty of people still walk around in their flip-flops, shorts, and tank tops, despite the dropping thermometer.

As much as we may want to be in denial that this year’s summer nights are over, we need to always be sensible about the health of our feet. Cold tootsies aren’t happy tootsies!

Here are a few tips to keep your feet warm and happy through the cold months:


1. Keep your toes inside! (…inside your shoes that is.)

Closed-toe shoes are an absolute must when the weather starts cooling off. Your feet are one of the farthest parts of your body from your heart, so they tend to be one of the first areas of your body to lose heat in cold temperatures. Closed-toe shoes will provide a barrier against wind, and cold air...to a point. Which brings me to tip #2…

2. If it’s raining or snowing, wear waterproof shoes.

Those UGG boots may seem warm and cozy when the ground is dry, but suede isn’t going to keep your feet dry during a storm (not to mention it’ll get destroyed, too). Keep your shoes from becoming a mini swimming pool for your feet by wearing shoes with rubber, PVC, or Gore-Tex-treated components. Being stuck wearing wet shoes for long hours is not only uncomfortable but can lead to scary conditions like frostbite and trench foot. On the other hand…

3. You need to keep your feet hydrated, too.

Many people experience drier skin in the cold months, due to decreased moisture in the air and increased winds. This doesn’t exclude your feet! If your feet get dry in winter, try using some moisturizer after you get out of the shower, while your skin is still slightly damp. Towards the end of your shower you can also rub your feet lightly with a pumice stone to soften dry skin and calluses. Wear clean cotton socks when lounging around the house to keep moisture in (and keep your feet toasty warm). And don’t forget to drink plenty of water – this will hydrate you from the inside out!

For more information about keeping your feet healthy in inclement weather, check out:

http://preventdisease.com/home/weeklywellness143.shtml
http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/skinsavers.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4689079_dry-feet-through-winter-months.html