Foot Health

Hello you beauty,

Today, I want to talk about something that might not be on your radar when you think about aging gracefully: your feet. Yes, those often overlooked but incredibly important parts of our body that support us every day. Recent studies are making the connection that foot agility and strength plays a crucial role in longevity and well-being. Let’s dive into why taking care of our feet is essential and how you can start doing it today.

Why Foot Agility and Strength Matter

1. Foundation of Mobility: Our feet are the foundation of our movement. Strong and agile feet help us maintain balance, coordination, and mobility, all of which are crucial for preventing falls and injuries as we age.

2. Overall Health: Healthy feet contribute to better posture and alignment, reducing the risk of pain and joint issues in other parts of the body like knees, hips, and lower back.

3. Circulation: Good foot health promotes better blood circulation, which promotes vascular health and can help prevent conditions like varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.

4. Independence: Maintaining foot strength and agility can help keep us feel coordinated and independent for longer by allowing us to perform daily activities with ease.

5. Confidence: Moving with grace and ease create a feeling of stability in the brain, and allow us to feel more freedom and joy as we move around.
6. Grounding: When you are grounded, you draw healing energy upward which flows through your feet and legs to the body. This offers support mentally which is calming to the brain and physically it provides stability and balance.

New Studies on Foot Strength and Aging

Recent studies have highlighted the significant impact of foot strength on overall physical performance in older adults. These findings showed that individuals with stronger and more flexible feet were more likely to have better balance, faster walking speeds, and a lower risk of falls. This research points to the importance of incorporating foot exercises into our daily routines to support healthy aging.

Simple Exercises to Strengthen and Care for Your Feet

I alternate my foot care, but every single day I make sure I exercise and condition my feet. I want to share some simple  exercises that are my go-tos for you to practice at home to keep your feet strong and agile:

• Toe Raises:

  • Stand up straight and slowly raise your heels off the ground so you're standing on your tippy-toes.
  • Hold for a few seconds and then slowly lower your heels back down.
  • Repeat 10-15 times. I do these when I make my morning tea:)

• Toe Splays:

  • Sit down and place your feet flat on the floor.
  • Spread your toes apart as wide as you can, hold for a few seconds, and then relax them.
  • Repeat 10-15 times. If this is difficult, manually create space between your toes with your fingers first.

• Marble Pick-Ups:

  • Place a few marbles on the floor in front of you. If you're rich, use diamonds.
  • Use your toes to pick up the marbles and place them in a small bowl.
  • Repeat until you've moved all the marbles.

• Ankle Circles:

  • Sit down and extend one leg out in front of you.
  • Rotate your ankle in a circular motion, making the circles as big as you can, first clockwise for 10-15 rotations, then counterclockwise for another 10-15 rotations.
  • Repeat with the other ankle. These are perfect for when you are binge-watching; Outlander or Poldark anyone? Just me...okay.

• Towel Scrunches:

  • Place a small towel on the floor and sit with your feet flat on the towel.
  • Use your toes to scrunch the towel towards you, then push it away.
  • Repeat for 1-2 minutes.

• Heel-to-Toe Walks:

  • Find a clear path and walk in a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot with each step.
  • Walk for about 10-15 feet, turn around, and repeat.

Taking a few minutes each day to perform these exercises can make a big difference in maintaining foot health and overall mobility so you continue to move like that crazy, sexy, cool girl that you are! Remember, your feet go wherever you go--they support you through every step of life, offer them care and appreciation. It's essential for long-term vitality so you can continue to crush your goals feeling confident and lively!

Stay grounded, stay active, and let's keep moving forward together!