I would like to preface this article with the note that I did not anticipate the events that occurred while I was on vacation, but it most definitely helped me shape the direction of my health tips.
An often overlooked element of vacation packing and readiness is health, specifically when it comes to your feet. I mean think about it, you’re at an all-inclusive in a foreign country and you’re walking around all day in bare feet or sandals on beaches and pool decks or on excursions. Have you ever thought about what you put your feet through?
Here’s some tips for your toes that will help you ensure you have the best trip from the flight to the beach and back.
Pre-Trip Pedi
I start off every vacation with a pedicure before I leave. This helps ensure your feet are the best health before you fly. You remove any calluses, clip your nails and your feet get a little makeover for all those sandals you plan on wearing. It’s a win/win.
In the Air
I’ve flown enough to know that sometimes you have to take your shoes off at the airport, which is really disgusting when you consider how many people walk through security without shoes on or in bare feet no less! So, to start your trip off right, I suggest:
The Right Shoes
Choose a comfy pair of shoes that you like for your flight. I went with my Nike’s that slip on and off so I don’t hold up the line if I have to take them off, or in the event I want to slide them off on the plane, I can easily put them back on without doing plane yoga to reach my feet. And with these comfy shoes, you should definitely wear…
Socks
If you do have to or even choose to take your shoes off at the airport/on-flight, I’d recommend some socks. Not only can flights get pretty cold, but socks help keep your feet from coming into direct contact with the airport and plane floors. I actually wear a thin pair with my shoes and then pack an extra fuzzy pair for the flight.
Beach Time
Ok, here is where my elusive preface to the article comes into play. I am, among my friends, known to be one of the clumsiest/accident prone people they know. So, it should come as no surprise to anyone that on the first day of my beach vacation, I was walking along the beach, stepped on a sharp and punctured my foot. Yes, punctured. And on the ball of the foot no less. Walking became a bit more difficult for me the rest of the trip but I managed because I brought along my…
First Aid Kit
Injuring yourself in another country is no joke. You want to make sure that you get injuries checked out if they’re serious, even mildly serious, and always travel with a mini first aid kit. Now, being the clumsy person that I am, the first aid kit definitely got its use. Keep any cuts (or punctures) you incur clean and dry until it’s started to heal. I had iodine, Polysporin, gauze and medical tape on hand to seal up my wound and unfortunately for me, I kept clear of the pool or ocean for the first 3 days until I could be certain that my foot was ok enough to get wet. Which leads me to…
Flip Flops/Water Shoes
An odd suggestion for foot health perhaps, but flip flops or water shoes help your feet from coming in direct contact with rocks, coral, glass and more while on the beach and in the water. And of course, the one time I took my shoes off was the time I stepped on a rock. So there’s the use case right there. Wear protective footwear.
Sunscreen
Whether you’re pool, beach, or adventure bound your feet need sun protection too. Nothing is worse than realizing you forgot to SPF the tops of your feet and get 2nd degree burns on your toes (as a ginger it’s happened to me in the past, and I can tell you it’s not pleasant).
Avoid the Bloat
Finally, with the changes in altitude, food and activity, your feet often take the brunt of a vacation. With sight-seeing and walking tours too, your poor feet tend to get a bit neglected in the wake of visiting new cultures. So here are some final foot love reminders:
Hydrate
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Water helps you reduce the bloating and swelling that your feet will endure throughout the flight there and back and also help relieve the pressure from walking all day.
Elevate
If you are walking all day or doing more activity than usual, don’t forget to give your feet a break too. Spend some time laying back, relaxing and elevating those feet so they have a chance to reset and recharge for the next day’s activities.
