Feet are generally under-rated. Many of us never appreciate our feet until we injure them. Then, we become painfully aware of how convenient it is to move around, unobstructed. Feet are not *usually* one of our more visually appreciated parts of the body, therefore feet issues can often go totally ignored until they make their presence be known. They can make life a breeze and feet can make life seem miserable…Absolutely. Wretchedly. Miserable. Walk for a few days in heavy rain with blisters and wet boots and see the POWER our little feet have over us… and how vulnerable we humans really can be. Taking care of my feet has been one of the most important self-care rituals I have embraced. As a hiker, traveler, and long-distance backpacker, my load-bearing feet are the most important piece of my gear. Fortunately, we can avoid many painful feet conditions simply by being mindful.
Taking care of my feet on a long hike, might be stopping every couple of hours and taking my boots and socks off for 15 minutes for a “Boot-Off Break.” It doesn’t sound like much, but this technique works. Every time. Examining my feet makes me aware of hot spots or subtle pain I may not have even realized I had! It gives my feet a chance to dry out, keeps them more rested, and therefore, more comfortable for the long haul. I use a pumice stone on my callouses in the shower and slather them with coconut oil, I keep my nails cut short and clean, and my feet are ALL the happier for these simple rituals. I take care of them and they take care of me. It is actually not just a silly statement; It is how these things work. The human body is miraculous. But it is even more miraculous when we are in tune with it. Our body is healing all the time… repairing what we do to it with our food, water, air, and energy.
Taking care of your feet might even mean developing a new appreciation, and therefore sending some love to your feet with intention (particularly if you are having any sort of problems), and knowing they will tell you what they need to be nurtured. It could be that you spend too much time on your feet, and they are simply calling for you to rest. Or… they could be calling for more action, asking you to take more walks.
Give your feet whatever love they need. Wear comfortable, well-fitting, high-quality shoes. Hike with good support. Walk gently and often. Make friends with someone who likes to massage feet! 🙂 These are just a few ways to give the feet a little much-deserved appreciation.
Love your feet! They can take you anywhere you wish to go!
Self-Care is an important element of getting in tune with our physical bodies. Schedule a time to chat below, to see how my Walking as a Sacred Practice program might be able to help you find better health, happiness, and more self-confidence.
