Whether there’s an office Christmas party or get-together with friends and family on the horizon, you’re probably looking forward to letting your hair down over the next few weeks. The party season is full of fun, but while you’re throwing funky shapes on the dance floor, do spare a thought for your feet, as December and January can be a testing time for them.
Party shoes are linked to foot pain and many other problems. Shockingly, some women resort to having Botox and filler injections in their feet at Christmastime in an attempt to make their footwear less agonising during nights out on the town, according to The Independent.
Thankfully, our Christmas foot care advice can help you to avoid festive foot woes without extreme measures, ensuring you’re the life and soul of the party well into the New Year!
Before the Party: Break Your Festive Footwear in Gently
As the Christmas party season puts a great deal of pressure on feet, it’s important to take particularly good care of them at this time of year. The first step is to tackle dry skin, which is exacerbated by cold weather. Keep your feet silky smooth and supple by removing dead skin with a pumice stone and massaging in a good quality foot cream.
Both women’s and men’s styles of formal footwear can be unforgiving. In the run-up to a night out, wear your party shoes at home with socks, to break them in gently. That way, they’ll be less of a shock to your feet when you step outside.
Pop a spare pair of shoes – a supportive style such as trainers – in the bag you’re taking to the party. Alternatively, wear them to get there. You’ll be far less likely to fall or twist your ankle in sensible footwear than impractical party shoes, especially if there’s snow or ice.
At the Party: Don’t Dance from Dusk till Dawn in Skyscraper Heels
It’s tempting to assume that the higher your heels, the more glamorous you’ll look while tripping the light fantastic. However, when you consider what happens to your feet when you wear high heels, they lose much of their appeal. By straining your toes, the balls of your feet, ankles, knees and lower back, stilettoes and similar styles increase your risk of ingrown toenails, blisters, sores and other issues that are bound to take the fizz out of your festivities.
The best approach is to play it safe on the dance floor by sticking to heels that are just a couple of inches high. Party shoes don’t need to add height to make you feel fabulous: eye-catching details such as glitter and gems will garner plenty of compliments. However, if you’re determined to party in huge heels, limit the time you spend on your feet. Don’t dance from dusk till dawn in painful shoes. Sit down for short spells and your feet will thank you!
Never take off your party shoes and wander around barefoot. You might think you’re doing your feet a favour by giving them a break, but the opposite is true. You could easily injure them on something sharp, such as broken glass.
Changing into your spare shoes just before heading home will make the journey easier.
After the Party: Treat Your Tired Feet
It’s not just your head that can feel sore after a party; your feet may well suffer too. Soaking your feet in a basin of warm water should soothe them. You could also gently stretch your muscles by raising each foot and ‘writing’ the letters of the alphabet in the air.
Even if you have a packed party schedule, it’s vital to give your feet time to relax. Try to have a few nights off each week – and leave impractical shoes at home whenever you can.
The most important post-party tip is to pay attention to foot pain or other issues. If you have any concerns, you’ll be pleased to hear that our London foot clinics are run by experienced podiatrists. In addition to treating your foot ailments, we can provide you with custom-made prescription orthotics, which are designed to make your footwear as comfortable as possible.
Keep festive feet in tip-top condition with Feet By Pody. Simply book an appointment online or call 0207 099 6657 today.