Our feet absorb the impact of hard surfaces and protect our bodies from jarring.
We expect our feet to support us through long hours of standing, walking or running, often on hard surfaces.
We wear all manner of footwear – ill-fitting, high heels, non-supportive, toe-squashing, non-breathable – that don’t help our feet, we don’t do specific foot exercises and we still expect them to stand up (pardon the pun!) to the abuse we dish out.
Most people neglect their feet because they forget about them – that is, until they start to cause trouble. Foot problems can cause muscle strain, posture problems, back ache [Back stretches], fatigue, cramps and pain.
Because of the pressure points in our feet, they impact many of our vital organs and affect our general health.
After a long, hard day, what is the first thing you want to do when you get home? That’s right; you want to “put your feet up.” Your body instinctively knows that the feet need taking care of.
So, put your feet up now and read these 10 great foot exercises that will put the spring back in your step and improve your general health.
Exercise your feet to keep them strong, supple and supportive and help to stop cramps. These simple foot exercises will ease away the stress of the day and keep your feet in good working order. Start doing them seated and then progress to standing while you do the exercises.
- Toe Raises: Start with feet flat on the floor; lift the heels as high as you can and push the backs of the toes against the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and lower. Repeat 5 times each foot.
- Toe Points: Be the ballet dancer and stretch your foot out into a beautiful point. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 5 times with each foot.
- Big Toe Action: Put a thick rubber band around both your big toes. Keeping your feet level, pull your feet apart, away from each other sideways. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 10 times.
- Sole massage: Put a tennis or golf ball under your foot on the ground. Roll your foot around with moderate pressure on the ball to effectively massage the whole of the sole of your foot. This one is great for relieving tension.
- Pick it up: Lay 10 marbles on the floor. Stand up, if you can, and pick up one marble at a time using your toes, and put it into a small bowl. Repeat with the other foot.
- Pen Drop: Drop a pen or a pencil on the floor. Pick it up with your toes, trying to grasp the pen with all your toes at once.
- Towel Crumple: Have a small towel on the floor. Using one foot, crumple it into a ball by pulling it towards you with your toes.
- Sand Walking: Whenever you can, walk barefoot in the sand.
- Ankle Circles: Lift your leg so your foot is off the floor, knee straight. Make large, slow circles in the air with your big toe, for 10 circles in each direction. Repeat with the other foot.
- Heel Toe Rock: Sit with both feet flat on the floor. Rock your feet to alternatively raise your heels and toes from the floor. Repeat 10 times with each foot. This is a great one to do periodically, if you have to stand for long periods.
Do these foot exercises regularly and you will soon feel the difference.
