3 Tips for Caring for Your Feet While Christmas Shopping This Year

A full day of Christmas shopping puts you on your feet for several hours, which can lead to heel pain, arch pain, blisters and other foot-related problems that require care from a podiatrist. Unless you plan to shop exclusively online this year, it's useful to put an emphasis on taking care of your feet as you tour the malls in the suburbs and the specialty shops downtown. Thinking about your feet will allow you to get everything checked off your to-do list without having to add one more entry—make an appointment with your local podiatrist. Here are some strategies that you can use to care for your feet as you shop for Christmas gifts.

Wear the Right Shoes

Sometimes, people choose to dress up for Christmas shopping, but this can be a poor decision. Dressing up typically means that you'll be wearing dressy shoes, which have the potential to generate foot pain. High heels for women and lace-up dress shoes for men can be uncomfortable and potentially leave you wish blisters. You're better off dressing casually for your Christmas shopping outing, and that includes wearing the right shoes. A pair of athletic shoes won't steer you wrong; their cushioned soles and insoles will lessen the impact of walking on your heels, as well as provide support for your arches.

Lighten Your Load

Many Christmas shoppers walk around the mall for hours with heavy bags in each hand. The more weight you're carrying, the more strain you're putting on your feet—and this could leave you with sore heels that require care from a podiatrist. Instead of carrying heavy bags for long periods of time, return to your car after each few purchases and drop off your bags in the trunk. This will lighten the toll on your feet and reduce your risk of discomfort.

Rest When You Can

One of the best, and simplest, things you can do for the health of your feet is take breaks. During your shopping outing, try to get off your feet when you can. When you need to browse your shopping list at the mall, find a bench to sit on; even sitting for a couple minutes can alleviate some of the strain on your feet. Take a break for a meal during the shopping outing and, when possible use the mall's elevator or escalator to avoid having to climb up and down the stairs.