We wake up, take a breath, do a little stretch and stand up for the day. Taking those amazing feet for granted. We wrap them in socks, trap them in shoes, put petroleum-based sandals under them so they can’t touch this precious Earth we call home. The Agony of Da Feet.
I say set them free, let them be, and I’m sure they agree. Let us pamper our feet with oils like coconut, avocado, olive, etc. It’s nice to rub these oils into your foot with a little massage from yourself or a friend. Keep that skin soft, not brittle, and forget for a moment about all the cotton and polyester our feet live in.
Our feet don’t stink, our habits of how we treat them do. Let them breathe, give them a mid-day soak, and why not use some essential oils, too? There are more than 7,200 nerve endings on the bottom of our feet, and they have the largest pores of all our skin. So, what goes on down there affects everything we experience.
Use oils to release tension, feel more grounded or supported, fight off fungus, or just to deliver their health benefits throughout the entire bloodstream. If we are soaking our feet, why not add some epsom salts to the mix to relax those muscles that are either supporting our weight or being crammed into an invention that was made to protect our feet (that’s called a shoe).
How often are you barefoot? Do you walk on the soil barefoot or just inside the house? If your shoes are off, are your socks off, too? Do you ignore your feet? We tend not to notice our body unless it is giving us trouble. What are your feet saying? What are you going to do about it? It is summer now, so get your barefoot time in.
Breakfast for the sole
First, roll both ankles in circles one way and then the other. Second, rub the bottoms and twist each toe separately. Third, walk out on the dewy morning grass, and let the feet come to life (snow is even more invigorating but less nutritive). So you know, morning dew is full of nutrition and those large pores on your feet are gobbling it up. Put on some oils if you like and try to keep those feet on the Earth as you reach for the stars. Happy feet make for a good life’s journey, so step up.
Author: Geoff Lamden is a naturopath, teacher, foodie and home remedy maker. Geoff helps those he works with create a deeper connection to themselves, their community, and their natural surroundings for lasting health. Geoff practices naturopathy at Continuum Healing and grows food, kombucha and community at home and in his family’s garden. He believes that when a person becomes well, a chain reaction of health is started within and around them. It is his honor to offer the gift of wholeness to those he works with.