Let's talk about Feet!

The Foot. It is a remarkable structure, really, consising of 26 bones, 33 joints, 19 muscles,107 ligaments and thousands of nerve endings. REALLY?! Whoa. I just looked up those facts and I am amazed. The body just fascinates me. Anyway, the foot. I was walking on a trail the other day and turned my attention to my foot and how it moved. How it flexed and rolled and absorbed the shock of carrying the body. How it teetered on uneven surfaces. How it allowed me to move, stand, balance, jump, and run. How it connected me and my body to the earth.  

Massaging the foot has so many benefits. Giving some attention to this part of the body that we rely on every day (mostly without much acknowledgement) is so helpful to our well-being. Studies show foot massage can help reduce pain, alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, and enhance sleep. It can help decrease stress and restore a natural balance to the body. At the end of the day, I've found giving my feet some attention is a really wonderful way to wind down and care for myself. It is amazing what a little bit of attention and care can do for our bodies, minds, and hearts. I'd like to share some of what I do here.
 
1. Soak the feet in warm water with a couple tablespoons of epsom salt and several drops of peppermint essential oil.

2. Generously apply lotion or foot salve like shea butter to the entire foot, gently rubbing the sole of the foot from toes to the heel. Using a firm pressure with both thumbs, alternate pushing one thumb and then the other to knead the foot from one side to the other.

3. Gently squeeze each toe up and down the length of the toe. Lightly pull on the end of the toe creating a little space to stretch. Rotate each toe and flex it back and forth.

4. Feel yourself relax as everything begins to soften.

What's that expression... "are your dogs barking?" Chances are they are. (Because come on, we're on our feet a LOT in our day-to-day lives!) Is it time to quiet those barking dogs with a soothing foot massage?

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