There’s nothing quite as rewarding as coming home after a long day at work and preparing a relaxing foot soak to ease away your troubles and improve your mood. If you’ve forgotten about your feet lately, its time to give them some much needed TLC with one of the most enjoyable at-home spa activities out there. All you need is some Epsom salt, hot water, and a simple bowl or bucket. Happy soaking!
Benefits of soaking your feet
Promotes relaxation
Perhaps the most well-known benefit of foot soaks, spending 10-15 minutes with your feet immersed in a warm bath full of soothing ingredients, is a great way to wind down from the day and settle into a place of calm relaxation.
Improves the appearance of the feet
Your feet are incredibly hard-working, yet so often neglected. Take the time to soften the skin, eradicate calluses, and restore your feet to their former beauty.
Reduces pain
If you stand a lot, you’ve likely experienced acute foot pain. Along with resting your feet whenever you can, be sure to soak them a few times a week to help reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
Treat fungal infection
When you add the proper ingredients to your foot soak, it can function as an antifungal powerhouse. It can help draw out infection from the skin and reduce itching and redness.
Prevent ingrown toenails
Along with cutting your toenails regularly and properly, soaking your feet can help keep your nails soft and prevent them from becoming ingrown. It will also help you cut them with ease
Forget spending hundreds of dollars for a day at the spa. Treat yourself (and your hard-working feet) from the comfort of your own home with these relaxing foot soaks.
Best foot soak ingredients:
Combine a few (or all) of the following ingredients for a detoxifying, refreshing soak.
Epsom salt: Pretty much any at-home foot soak will include Epsom salt. Keep a bag of this handy salt in your bathroom to use in the bath or for your feet to help soften skin and relax tired muscles. Plus, it dissolves well in hot water, making it an excellent, gentle exfoliator.
Baking soda: If you need something a little more heavy-duty to recover your feet from a season of sandal-wearing, baking soda is a must-have. It can restore cracked heels and help eliminate dead skin.
Lemon: Let’s face it; feet can get a little nasty. If you’ve noticed a bit of a funk following you around or are battling a nasty case of athletes foot, its time to cleanse with the antifungal properties of lemon juice.
Oil: Olive oil or coconut oil are both wonderful additions to any food soak. These oils can help moisturize your skin and will soak into your feet without leaving an oily residue.
Essential oils: Tea tree essential oil not only smells great, but it has potent antibacterial and antifungal abilities as well. Lemon essential oil has many of the same attributes as fresh lemon and is great to keep on hand. Lavender is a calming scent that is a great choice if you are soaking your feet before bed, as it can help fight insomnia and allow you to relax. Peppermint is often considered the opposite of lavender since the invigorating scent is crisp, awakening, and can help you focus on the task at hand. Cedarwood, rosemary, eucalyptus, and wintergreen are all also excellent choices.
Vinegar: Though vinegar doesn’t have the greatest smell, its ability to soften calluses and detoxify makes it a great addition to the occasional foot soak. Cover up the scent with some essential oils and only use it occasionally to avoid drying out your feet.
A great foot soak base is about ¼ a cup of Epsom salt and 4 cups of warm to hot water (or as much is needed to cover your feet). Dissolve the Epsom salt in the water in a shallow container that can fit both of your feet and let them soak for about 15 minutes. Pat dry with a towel and follow with soothing foot lotion and socks. Add any other ingredients to this basic soak and customize it as desired. If you have stubbornly dry skin or cracked heels, use a handful of Epsom salt to exfoliate gently. More severe cases may need a foot scraper or pumice stone.
-Susan Patterson
