It’s that time of year again when your feet are exposed to the elements, and your foot problems may be front and center. This summer, you may be especially hard on your feet, as you’re making up for lost time, upping your steps, or initiating gatherings that leave you standing (and perhaps struggling) more than you’re used to. After a year of a significantly sedentary lifestyle, you may be happy to be back on your feet, but your feet may need some additional attention as a result!

First, given the summer heat, you may be experiencing swelling or puffiness as your legs fight gravity and pull fluids down toward your feet. Age, weight, and venous insufficiency can also exacerbate the summer swelling. While there can be more sinister causes of such swelling (and you should definitely check in with your physician, especially if the swelling is only on one leg, is sudden or you experience pain or other symptoms) some ways to address this condition include cutting back on salt, utilizing support stockings or elevating your feet, especially above your heart if you can.

Of course, your feet may also take a beating from the miles you’ve logged (did you know that by the time you reach age 50, most of us have already walked 75,000 miles?) and the weight you’ve gained. So you need to be kind to your feet and adopt a “foot-friendly” lifestyle to the extent you can. That means paying attention to your feet, taking care of them, and dressing them well, with appropriate footwear. Regarding care and comfort, while Medicare will actually pay for some foot care if it’s considered medically necessary or provided by an approved health care provider, the reality is that the money spent on good foot care will be well worth it to your overall well-being- as one expert physician remarked, “To pay attention to your feet is to pay attention to your overall health.” 

For example, finding shoes that fit you well is key for your comfort, stability, and stamina. According to a recent article from Consumer Reports, shoes that are too big or too narrow can pose serious problems (there should be ⅜- ½ inch between your big toe and the tip of your shoes) and the front of your shoe should accommodate the width of your feet, with your heel fitting snugly in the back. As for material? A cloth or stretchable fabric is highly recommended, especially in summer when feet can swell and fabric can allow for that foot “growth.” In fact, you may want to check out a recent article from Travel and Leisure about the most recommended travel sneakers, which are almost universally a comfortable fabric that also allows for easy removal if needed during travel.

But perhaps for real pampering, nothing beats a pedicure or a foot bath, whether you’re a guy or a gal. For that pedicure, you may want to check out the tips provided by Sixty and Me, to ensure both a beautiful and safe outcome for your feet. As for that foot bath, there’s nothing like a good soak to reduce both the aches and stench that often come with summer feet. Just make sure to dry your feet well, moisturize, and disinfect your tub to eliminate any festering bacteria or fungus. As for the tubs, pour in the suds and take a look at the 10 Best Foot Spas available for the best home soak that money can buy.