3 Tips To Keep Your Feet Warm This Winter

As the days grow shorter and the temperature gets cooler many of us can find it a challenge to keep our cold feet warm.  But there are some simple things you can do to help keep your feet warm and toasty during the winter months.

Exercise

For those of us who get cold feet in winter it’s important to keep our circulation in top form.  Good circulation improves our overall health as nutrients and oxygen are transported more efficiently to all area of our body.  When our circulation is sluggish it’s often our extremities that suffer and this can lead to cold feet.  Getting your circulation going is a great way to keep your feet warm. The easiest way to improve your circulation is to move your body.  Go for a walk, run, take a yoga class, spend time gardening – anything that gets you moving.  If you’re not able to get out and about then doing some simple foot exercises while seated can work really well.

Stretch and Flex

This exercise can be done seated or lying down.  Simply point your toes away from you then bring your toes back towards you.  Do this slowly using your full range of motion.  Repeat 10 times on both feet. This can be done several times a day

Ankle Rotation

Rotate your foot from the ankle clockwise then anticlockwise using your full range of motion.  Repeat 10 times clockwise and anti clockwise on each foot. This can also be done several times during the day.

These exercises are also great to do if you are sitting behind a desk all day.  Sitting for long periods is not a circulation booster!

Warming Foot Bath

A foot bath is not only relaxing but it’s a great way to warm up cold feet and keep your feet warm… but there are other benefits too.  Foot baths can combat dry skin which can lead to cracks and callouses.  There can be various reasons as to why the skin on our feet dries out more during winter:

• The air is drier in winter so the skin, not only on our feet, is more prone to dryness
• When our feet are enclosed in shoes and socks they perspire and this moisture can lead to dryness when it comes in to contact with our skin, especially over extended time periods.
• Hydration – it’s important to be mindful of our fluid intake during winter…dehydration leads to drier skin.

To Prepare a Foot Bath

• You will need a container that your feet will fit in to comfortably
• Fill with enough warm water so that your feet are covered (make sure the water is not too hot – and test the temperature before putting your feet in)

I like to add:

• Epsom salts – 1-2 tablespoons
• Lavender essential oil – 2-3 drops
• Almond oil or your oil of choice

The Epsom salts and lavender oil are very relaxing and the almond oil softens and moisturises.

PRO TIP: If using Epsom salts and oils, add the oils to the Epsom salts and then add the Epsom salts to the foot bath. This helps the oil to disperse more evenly in the water.

If you are looking for a super moisture boost for your feet  then after drying your feet liberally apply almond oil, coconut oil or your moisturiser of choice. Put on some cotton socks and leave on until morning.

Socks

Your choice of socks can have a great impact on the warmth and comfort of your feet during the colder months.

Woollen Socks

Woollen socks (preferably merino wool as it’s soft and not itchy) are a sure fire way to keep your feet warm and comfortable. Wool is a great insulator so it keeps your feet warmer. One of the most important benefits is that woollen socks will keep your feet much drier as wool can hold a third of its weight in moisture before your feet will even begin to feel damp and it will dry much more quickly compared to cotton socks. Wool fibres are naturally antibacterial so your feet can breathe better. This means your feet are much less likely to become smelly. As a bonus woollen socks can be worn several times before needing a wash. Just make sure your air them out overnight.

Bamboo Socks

Socks made from Bamboo are another great choice sharing many of the same qualities as wool as they are both natural fibres.

Bamboo is a fast growing plant that requires very little water when grown in the right conditions.   It has a unique antibacterial agent called ‘bamboo kun’ which makes it very resistant to pests so it is able to grow without added chemicals.    if you are looking for socks that have a very small environmental footprint then these would be your best choice.  Bamboo is super soft and may be a better choice if you find wool irritating to the skin.  Like woollen socks they also pull moisture away from the skin and because of the antibacterial properties of bamboo they will keep your feet warm and smelling sweet. Bamboo socks are also great for people whose feet are allergy prone.

There are a number of high tech specific wicking socks on the market – too many to go through here – some combining natural and synthetic fibres and some purely synthetic.   They are many different varieties, some for specific activities.  It is worth finding out more information if you think these may be a better option.

We hope by following our tips you will have warm, comfortable feet all winter long.

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