When the tourism industry rebounds after the plague, many of us will finally be able to spend the vacation we desired. Vacation activities such as walking trips, nature hikes, and going around the airport can keep us on our feet longer than usual. The result? Pain in the foot.
Foot pain removes the fun from your vacation and can last even after returning home. Thankfully, there are rare things you can do to prevent foot aches from ruining your journey:
Chalk it up to tight transport quarters or cramped positions as many people do while travelling; inactivity and sitting in one place for prolonged periods can stiffen muscles and hinder circulation. This inertia can also cause health problems such as swelling of the feet and blood clots in the legs.
How to prevent your feet from hurting during the holidays?
Finding relief and relaxation during your journey – and at your destination – can be as easy as knowing how to treat your feet. Moving and stretching your feet and legs and wearing proper footwear can help keep your circulation in check.
Give your feet – and yourself – a little tender loving care with these simple travel tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
* Work out right in your seat. Running through the aisle may be out of the question, but physical activity is possible without irking other passengers, thanks to simple foot exercises.
Rotate each foot several times clockwise and counterclockwise, then repeat. Turn your toes up and down, working your calves. If there is space access, try lifting each knee, keeping it there for a few moments and tensing your thigh muscle. Or, wiggle your toes.
* Stay mobile. When the pilot invites you to move about the cabin on a plane, take him up on it. Experts recommend stretching your legs and walking around at least once an hour. Request an aisle seat, if possible, to facilitate movement.
How to protect your feet when walking long distances?
* Wear comfortable footwear. While travelling, loosen your shoelaces or take off your shoes. Wear supportive elastic stockings to keep swollen feet at bay during long flights. Pack supporting shoes and socks; use tape on pressure points, especially if your vacation calls for plenty of sightseeing on foot.
If a special evening calls for high heels, wear heels no higher than 1.5 inches. Heed podiatrists’ rule of thumb: the more comprehensive the heel, the more support. For men, a pair of quality oxfords offers comfort during a night of dancing.
What should you do with new shoes that haven’t been broken in? It’s best to leave them at home.
* Cool your heels. Pack a spa kit for your feet, complete with foot lotion for a soothing massage, a foot scrub and pedicure materials for use after a full day of walking around.
Despite following the travel tips above, some people can still return home with blistered, used feet. Bandages and molluscs help protect against blisters and should be applied daily until the injury is completely healed.
Photo by Heather Morse on Unsplash
Author Profile
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Professor Carel le Roux is an award-winning specialist in metabolic medicine and is recognized as a leading expert in metabolism and obesity. His areas of expertise include type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk and metabolic disorders. Professor le Roux holds clinics in Dublin, Ireland and practices regularly at King's College Hospital Guthrie Clinic, London.
He has published numerous high-impact papers over the years and has also been able to take up a variety of editorial positions in peer-reviewed journals.
Professor le Roux established a successful independent research group and his research in the understanding of the physiological role and pathological changes in appetite control has been widely acknowledged for his analysis in this area.
