The holiday season (the cooking, the cleaning, the visiting, the shopping) can really do a number on you…and your poor feet! When you have a few minutes, relax, take your shoes off and do one of the following…
Unusual juice rub: When your feet hurt and you’re tired, soak them in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then massage your feet with about one-quarter cup of lemon juice, which is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps detoxify overworked muscles. Take your time and, while massaging, thank your feet for all they’ve done for you. After a thorough job of massaging your feet, rinse them with cool water and dry them completely.
Cider soak, with an added benefit: Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a basin filled halfway with lukewarm water. Then soak your feet for at least 15 minutes. Rinse and dry completely. The vinegar relieves sore muscles, and it also rids your feet of fungi and other harmful microbes that can cause toenail fungus and smelly feet. If you’re treating an existing toenail fungus, the “dry completely” portion of this remedy is very important. Follow a towel dry with a hair dryer (on warm) for two minutes.
Chilly revitalization: Fill a basin that’s large enough for both your feet with one layer of ice cubes—the melon-ball kind are the best for this (but regular cubes work well, too). If you don’t have a large enough basin, use the corner of your bathtub. Sit down and rub your feet over the ice cubes. Stop when this massage has your feet feeling completely revitalized, or the ice melts—whichever comes first. Dry your feet with a rough towel. Now you’re ready to run a marathon!
