Tips To Help You Care For Feet In Winter

(NAPSI)-Chilly weather, drying indoor heat and hectic schedules can be so rough on feet that it may take a little extra pampering to keep them healthy and happy.

"The colder months often leave our bodies susceptible to hosts of health problems and foot ailments are no exception," said Dr. Ross Taubman, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "However, being proactive about things such as proper footwear and moisturizing are just two of the ways to prevent seasonal foot ailments."

According to the APMA, the No. 1 way American women like to show their feet a little TLC is by applying moisturizer (48 percent), followed by an at-home massage (14 percent) and stretching (11 percent).

The APMA suggests these fixes to help get you back on your feet:

1. Massage your feet. Rub feet to release tension, increase circulation and rejuvenate the skin.

2. Soothe your soles. Soak feet for at least five minutes in a container filled with warm water. Pat your feet dry and apply lotion to hydrate your feet.

3. Elevate your legs. Lift your legs above your heart while lying down to help reduce swelling.

4. Rotate your ankles. Cup the foot under the back portion of the heel to brace the foot and leg and turn slowly at the ankle five times. This loosens the ankle joint and relaxes your feet.

5. Point your toes. While standing, do toe raises, toe points and toe curls for five seconds; repeat 10 times. This alleviates toe cramps and strengthens calf muscles.

6. If high heels are creating a burning sensation on the balls of your feet, use colorful ball-of-thefoot cushions such as Foot Petals Tip Toes. Not only do they pamper the feet, but they stop them from sliding forward by moving the center of pressure toward the heel.

7. If your heels hurt, you can put some spring in your step with the help of Spenco for Her Comfort Casual Insoles. Designed to absorb shock and curtail odor, they also prevent blisters, as well as cracked and callused heels.

8. If sassy party slingbacks are digging deep into your skin, create a protective barrier by using a moleskin or Foot Petals Strappy Strips to prevent blisters and strap slippage.

Check out the APMA's Web site, www.apma.org, for a list of approved products, including foot creams, scrubs and powders that are beneficial to maintaining good foot health.

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Pointers for Pampering Yourself in Just 30 Minutes a Week

(ARA) - Work, children, spouses, school and friends – your life is hectic. It’s hard to find time to do it all, let alone a half hour of quiet time for yourself. Yet setting aside just 30 minutes of “me time” each week can help you look refreshed and feel beautiful for days. Here are some tips for making the most of your weekly pampering routine.

* Make time during a shower or bath to exfoliate with a scented body wash, using a sponge or cloth. Concentrate on the areas where skin toughens up like the elbows and knees. Follow up with moisturizer on all areas of your body to keep skin smooth and soft. If your hair is feeling flat and dry from winter’s cold temperatures, try applying a hydrating masque before you blow dry your hair. These concentrated conditioners saturate and smooth the strands, nourishing the scalp for healthy, shining hair all season long.

* Flip on the humidifier as you emerge from the shower. Winter air is much drier than in the summer months, and the body notices it. Having a humidifier running in the bedroom keeps the skin softer and reduces breakage in the hair. Plus, humidifiers also can help with your breathing by loosening up the airways and defeating congestion.

* Treat your teeth to some pampering as well. Remember that smooth, polished feeling you get when you run your tongue over your teeth after walking out of the dentist's office? Now you can enjoy this intensely clean feeling at home. Crest Weekly Clean Intensive Cleaning Paste polishes teeth with ingredients similar to what dentists use, says Dr. Michael Apa, a dentist in New York City, and should be used as a complement to your regular brushing and flossing routine.

* Soak your feet in warm water with salts. Use a pumice stone to soften heels and calluses before giving yourself a foot and lower leg massage to relieve any remaining tension. Also, make professional pedicures last by touching up nail polish in between appointments.

* Finally, before crawling under the covers for a blissful night's sleep, continue the moisturizing treatment for your hands and feet. Lotion helps your nails grow strong and also slows down the signs of aging. Apply lotion on your hands and feet – avoiding the spaces between your toes – and slip on socks or gloves to hold in the moisture while you dream. Make sure you remove any jewelry before this treatment to protect the metal and stones.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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A ‘Well-being Routine’ – the Real Key to Health

(ARA) – As important as a fitness routine is to your physical health, it’s just as vital to have a “well-being routine” that focuses on your mental health. Being well-rounded physically and mentally can foster balance between your work and personal lives, and help reduce everyday stress.

Stress is a major and growing health concern in America, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). In fact, a third of all Americans say they are extremely stressed, and 77 percent report experiencing physical symptoms associated with stress, according to an APA study.

“Stress is a normal part of life, and small amounts can actually make you stronger physically and mentally,” says Martica Heaner, a health, fitness and wellness expert. “But when stress builds up and becomes overwhelming, it’s time to take action to manage its impact on your life. Looking after yourself by focusing on your wellness is one of the very best ways to take care of what’s on the inside as well as the outside.”

Americans are more focussed on overall wellness than ever before, a fact that has not escaped the notice of companies like The Body Shop, Heaner notes. The Body Shop, long recognized as leaders in the naturally inspired beauty industry, recently launched a line of Wellbeing products that fit into four key aspects of a wellness regimen – Divine Calm, Total Energy, Deep Sleep and Pure Detox.

Your well-being routine should help you create calm, get adequate rest, re-energize and purify your body, Heiner says.

Creating Calm

* Manage small stressors. Try not to over schedule yourself or constantly react to every demand on your time. For example, rather than constantly checking e-mail throughout the day, schedule a few regular times to do so.

* Give yourself time to do nothing at all. Turn off the TV. Don’t answer the phone. Or soak in a hot bath seasoned with a calm-inspiring bath product. Look for products, like The Body Shop’s Divine Calm line, that incorporate naturally calming ingredients such as French lavender essential oil, camomile and soya milk.

Reaping the Rewards of Rest

* Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling “hung over,” impair you as much as several alcoholic drinks, shorten your attention span, make you feel sluggish and even cause you to overeat.

* Follow a calming routine prior to bedtime. Incorporate some pampering in your routine, such as a relaxing shower, soothing moisturizer and a spritz of calming scent in the room, on your pillow or bed sheets. The Body Shop’s new Wellbeing line includes five products designed to enhance rest, like the Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist.

* Get extra sleep whenever possible. Set the alarm to go off at the last possible minute, instead of setting it earlier and hitting the snooze button a few times. Your body will benefit more from those extra 20 minutes if they’re uninterrupted.

Re-energize Your Body

From improper nutrition, to lack of sleep or exercise and dehydration, there are many reasons why you might feel fatigued.

* Never skip breakfast. Even a small bowl of cereal or a piece of fruit can help you energize for the day ahead. Eat more if you exercise in the morning and will be expending energy.

* Put nutrition first, and worry less about calories, carbs or fat. Add some colourful vegetable or fruit to every meal – spinach or red peppers on your sandwich or pizza, beans in your salad or pasta.

Purify Your Body

You can minimize your exposure to environmental toxins with a few simple steps:

* Choosing organic foods can help you reduce the amount of toxins you ingest.

* Eat more walnuts and walnut oil, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids that help quench free radicals in our bodies.

* Drink more water. To function at their best, every cell in your body needs to be properly hydrated. Getting enough water can help you feel less tired and flush toxins from your body.

Choose all-natural products in every aspect of your life, from the cleaning products you use in your home to your beauty products. The Body Shop’s Wellbeing products are made from all-natural ingredients like guarana, wasabi, lavender, camomile, eucalyptus and jujube date. Plus, every product contains ingredients sourced through the company’s Community Trade program, so while you’re taking care of your own well-being, you’re also helping communities around the world in places like Ghana, Brazil, Zambia, Namibia and Nicaragua. Visit www.thebodyshop-usa.com to learn more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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