How to look after your feet this Summer!

This was me in my nursing days and I remember that wonderful feeling at the end of a 12 hour shift when you could just throw off your shoes and soak them or massage them- anything to get relief!

In later years, when I was practising as a holistic therapist, I loved it when someone booked in for a reflexology treatment. I loved receiving the treatment myself but I also loved giving the treatment. In fact when I think back, it was definitely my favourite treatment because it was so relaxing.

What is reflexology?

The Association of Reflexology describes it as “a non-intrusive complementary health therapy, based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body”.

Well trained reflexologists do not claim to diagnose, cure or prescribe but they do give treatments based on your individual needs taking into account both physical and non-physical factors which might be affecting your well-being.

The theory is that reflexology helps the body to restore its balance naturally.

Whether this is true or not, there is no doubt in my mind that when I was exhausted after a busy day, there was nothing better than the points on my feet being worked on and having a wonderful foot massage.

My clients also loved the treatment and many reported that they felt more relaxed and some reported that their sleeping habits improved: they often fell asleep midway through!

With ever increasing levels of stress in everyday life, it’s good to know there are alternative treatments which might help so when you kick off your shoes after that very long day, and start massaging your feet , it can be very beneficial without you even realising it.

Reflexology practitioners believe that working on points on your feet using specific techniques can help to relieve stress and tension. There is, of course, much more to it than that, as the experts see your feet and hands as maps of your entire body, and specific areas on your feet correspond to specific parts of your body. But whatever the reason for having this therapy, rest assured it will be worth it.

On the subject of feet: are yours ready to be exposed to the sunshine?

They’ve been hiding away underneath tights, socks and boots for months so they probably need a treat and preparation for the summer!

The good news is, you don’t even need to go to a professional salon. Check out my blog post to give yourself a relaxing DIY pedicure.

TIP…

If you get worried about foot odour in the hot weather, you can easily make up your own refreshing and deodorising spritzer spray which you can keep with you at all times.

Try a mix of witch hazel with a few drops of peppermint or rosemary essential oils.

Rosemary essential oil is both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and we all know how cooling Peppermint is! Witch hazel is soothing, and excellent at reducing inflammation or swelling.

If you have any questions about treating your feet, please pop over to the Mellow Skincare Facebook page, and I’m always happy to help.

Until next time,
Carole x