I’ll admit it. I have a foot fetish. I love the subject of feet and footwear. Here are some tips on giving your feet the care they deserve. After all, your feet do a lot for you and deserve some pay-back for carrying your load around 365 days a year, sometimes with very little support, attention, or without so much as a thank you. Feet don’t like being crammed into skinny, pointed, or high-heeled shoes and forced to lug you around all over the place showing off. They resist being asked to stand you in place for hours at a time on hard surfaces in shoes that don’t support them. And, they do not like being ignored—they resent doing so much hard labor without so much as a thank you for their troubles.

How to Say Thank you to Your Feet

Don’t ignore them when they call for help. When they complain about the shoes you’re putting them into, or the way you have been treating them lately, pay attention!

How would you feel if you worked yourself to the bone without support? Consider more foot friendly footwear if that is the problem. I’m not saying you have to throw away your heels, although I recommend that. But, at least read my hub 3 Best Shoes for Women, and then go out and get a pair of Dansko’s or something if you don’t already own a pair. My feet also love Dr. Scholl's inserts in any shoes without much cushion. I know Dr. Scholl's supports don’t sound sexy. But feet are impressed with the title “Doctor” and love them!

If your feet love support, you should look for other kinds of inserts that provide arch support and heel cushioning, especially if you already have foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or general foot pain.

Give them Treats on a Regular Basis

Soaking your weary Feet can Relax, Energize and Heal your Entire Body

Everyone needs treats occasionally and feet are no exception. Feet love foot baths and soaks. Mine thanked me profusely when I sprang for a Dr. Scholl's foot spa with heat and a massager. I’m pretty happy myself when I sit back on my comfy sofa with my feet in nice warm water with a touch of bath salts or scented oil. It’s a win-win all around. There are lots of foot baths to buy on line, and they are well worth the investment.

Remember when you soak your feet, the oils used in the foot bath become absorbed into the body and have a variety of healing properties and health effects. You can buy products with these oils or you can add a few drops of essential oils to your footbath making them very affordable:

• Lavender – helps calm the body, relax tired and strained feet, combats mental fatigue and exhaustion
• Valerian & Hops – will help you fall asleep and sleep soundly
• Eucalyptus – a natural disinfectant - especially helpful during cold and flu season
• Calendula – use for cracked, dry skin – will moisturizing, soften, and deodorizing feet
• Rosemary – will energize the body and improve circulation
• Arnica – helps with bruising, sprains, sore legs and feet, helps reduce pain and inflammation

Paraffin therapy has received rave reviews by many feet, and salons typically offer paraffin foot and hand baths. Of course, these can be purchased on line, and I’m sure your feet will be thrilled with the gift. I have a number of friends who claim paraffin therapy is heavenly, and actually smoothes the skin and removes dry areas. Warm paraffin is claimed to strengthen tissues and ligaments and improves circulation, and helps creams and oil penetrate the skin layers.

Give your Feet the Gift of Reflexology—Alternative Healing for the Feet and Body

Take your feet to a reflexologist or for a feel good foot message. Reflexology can be a great friend to your feet. I went to my first reflexologist in the 70’s who was a very sweet older lady with killer hands—she practiced tough love on my feet, and I have since learned that is not necessary. Reflexology does not have to be excruciating, but can feel wonderful. Reflexology is based on the principal that the feet and the hands have pressure points that correspond to all of the organs and parts of the body. When an organ is out of balance, circulation diminishes and deposits, called crystals, occur in the feet. By massaging the corresponding points on the feet, circulation improves, and organs can heal. Whether you are a believer or not, your feet will get it and will appreciate being touched and loved up a bit on a regular basis.

Treat your Feet to a Pedicure

I know it’s not summer anymore, but your feet still want to look good even if you don’t care as much because you’re no longer running around in strappy sandals showing them off. Besides, if anyone you live with sees your bare feet, they will appreciate a nicely pedicured toes and feet. I don’t want to go into the nightmare of uncared for feet here, so use your imagination. It's not pretty!

Buy your Feet some Fun and Functional Foot-Care Products

Feet love it when you buy foot care products and use them on a regular basis, so make sure you have these things on hand:

• A large nail clipper
• Emery boards
• Cotton
• Nail polish and remover
• A pumice stone
• Foot cream
• Epson salts, foot bath salts, essential oils
• Pedicure sticks for cleaning nails

There are also some electronic pedicure tools that I have never tried, but one I found recently looked particularly intriguing that removes dry and callused skin—the Pedi Pistol! Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it?

Ideas for Feet-Related Christmas Gifts – Create a Gift Basket with:

• Herbal bath salts
• Herbal bath oils
• Pedicure Sets
• Foot creams and lotions
• An at-home foot spa
• An at-home paraffin spa

A gigantic splurge! Pedicure Massage Chair with Whirlpool Footbath (this is so far out of my price range I almost neglected to add it, but “in my dreams!”

For more on the benefits of massage!

Give a Massage for Christmas