This is another installment in our 12-part series of how foot health is a year-round process. To learn how August, September and October challenge your feet, click the links. In this blog, we take a closer look at the month of November and how it can be a rough month on your feet.
Protecting Your Feet in November
November brings with it some weather changes and a major holiday where we spend a lot of time on our feet. Here’s how the month can challenge us.
Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving is the big holiday in the month, and if you’re tasked with cooking (and cleaning up after) a big meal for your family, there’s a good chance you’re preparing to spend hours on your feet in the kitchen. This can overstress your feet and cause pain, so try to break up the activity. Have friends or family members pitch in with cooking and cleaning, and start your preparations early so you have time to take breaks if your feet start to hurt.
Winter Walking – November isn’t usually the coldest or snowiest month in Minnesota, but sometimes it’s the light snows or the constant thawing and freezing that makes it dangerous for us to walk outside. Make sure your winter footwear has plenty of grip to provide extra protection when walking on icy surfaces, and always keep your attention on where you’re walking.
Traveling – The Thanksgiving holiday season is also a busy time for travel, and if you’re going to be spending hours in a car or on a plane, it can take a toll on your feet. Take the opportunity to move around when given the chance, as this will help to prevent swollen ankles and the potential onset of deep vein thrombosis. Staying hydrated can also help to open up blood vessels and improve circulation, which will help your feet.
Diabetic Foot Care – The holidays are notorious for being bad for your waistline, but poor eating habits can also affect your foot health if you have diabetes. Unregulated blood sugars can damage nerves and lead to long-term blood supply issues, which means cuts and wounds won’t heal as quickly. This can leave you susceptible to injuries and infections, so take care of your blood sugar around Thanksgiving time!
Check back next month when we explain how the last month of the year can be tough on your feet.
