While on vacation, our feet can take quite a beating. Between the dreaded barefoot walk through airport security and the many hours you’ll spend sightseeing on cobblestone streets, your feet are bound to get banged up and tired. To save your feet the pain of traveling, it’s important to keep them healthy. To do that, try following the tips below.
Choose the right shoes.
Shoes play an important part when it comes to foot health, and ill fitting shoes can be blamed for most of the problems travelers face with their feet. While you can almost never go wrong with a pair of sneakers, there are factors to consider when purchasing a pair.
- Many people wear shoes that are too small unknowingly, as most are unaware that shoe size can actually change with time. The best way to ensure a good fit is to have your feet measured.
- Don’t settle just because a shoe fits- make sure that it’s comfortable before you leave the store. Put both shoes on and take a few minutes to walk around. Watch for slipping, sliding, and discomfort.
- For travelers with preexisting foot problems, a shoe with a thick insole is a must. If a shoe doesn’t have a good insole, find another pair or consider purchasing an insole to put inside.
Bring a foot first aid kit.
If you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking, it’s always a good idea to bring a first aid kit for your feet. This first aid kit should include items such as bandage of varying sizes, mole skin, tweezers, toe nail clippers, and a topical antibiotic such as Polysporin. The kit should be packed in a waterproof bag and have a tight seal, as well as be compact and easy to transport.
Relax your feet.
After a long day of walking, hiking, or sightseeing, pamper your feet to keep them healthy and make them feel better. Have a hot shower or bath and allow them to soak. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a shower or bath or lack the time to have a full-body soak, you can soak your aching feet in a tub of warm water. To make them feel even more relaxed and take the pain away, sprinkle epsom salts into the water. You should also make time to relax them, and if possible, keep them elevated when you can.
Keep circulation flowing.
If you’re on a long bus or plane ride and are sitting for a long time, be sure to move your feet. Flex and bend your ankles, cross and uncross your legs, and move the lower part of your body to keep blood flowing freely into your feet. This will prevent circulation loss, as well as pain. If you can, get up and move around at least once every hour, even if only for a few minutes.
What do you think?