Foot Habits to Break This Year

Do you have something you love that would be hard to give up? We all have a vice of some kind. Some are harmless, while others could be considered bad habits. If we were to survey a group of people about poor habits, fast food, chocolate, swearing, smoking, social media, shopping, biting fingernails and reality TV might be high on the list.

Some habits don’t have much of an effect and can be easy to break, but there are others which could actually be detrimental to your health. You may not think of foot health as being on the list of important things to be concerned about, but we’d like to enlighten you a little! Foot care is crucial to a healthy, active life. You only have one pair of feet, and they need to be cared for. You may have some bad foot habits that you aren’t even aware of. Making some changes could really have a positive impact on how you feel and your long-term foot health.

Ladies, wearing high heels on a regular basis is a habit that really needs to be broken.

This year, swap your high heels with a comfortable pair of flats.

Towering heels with tight, pointy toes can truly take a toll on your feet. The pressure and strain this type of shoe puts on feet can lead to blisters, corns, calluses, worsening of bunions and hammertoes, capsulitis and Achilles tendonitis. Walking in them for long periods of time can actually lead to stress fractures in the bones of your feet. Instead, make a habit of wearing shoes that are comfortable and fit your foot structure well.

Another bad habit to break is negligence. Let’s face it; we really don’t spend much time thinking about our feet until there is a problem. Make it a point to add foot care to your daily routine. Check for new symptoms, properly trim toenails, do exercises to strengthen feet and toes, and take quick action when a problem develops.

A great habit to start right now, especially if you have an underlying condition such as diabetes, is to visit Houston Foot Specialists on a regular basis. We can help you keep your feet in top shape in 2014. Contact Dr. Jeff Bowman if you have any questions or concerns. Call our office in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment.