Cold feet are a common ailment in winter. It is more common in women, but men can also suffer from it. There are several causes and risk factors for this discomfort. If you often suffer from cold feet and if you have other symptoms, it is advisable to discuss this with your doctor.
A lower ambient temperature is a common (but not the only) cause of cold feet. The body reacts to this by constricting the blood vessels, which reduces local blood circulation. Read in this blog how you can improve the temperature in your feet with some simple tips.
Massage of cold feet
A massage of the feet and lower legs can stimulate blood flow through the pressure and friction of the massaging movements. An increase in blood flow brings heat from the rest of the body to the feet. You can read more about massage here.
Warm food and drinks
On cold days or when you are outside a lot, it is nice to eat or drink warm. Think of oatmeal porridge for breakfast, a hot soup at lunch or a thermos with herbal tea for on the road. It supports the body to stay warm, because bringing a cold meal or drink from the fridge to body temperature costs the body a lot of energy.
Exercise
“The more we exercise, the better will be the circulation of the blood....Those who accustom themselves to proper exercise in the open air. will generally have a good and vigorous circulation.” Healthful living 186.1
Sports or other physical activity indoors or outdoors stimulates circulation and makes cold feet disappear. Moving around creates heat in the muscles. The higher heart rate distributes the heat throughout the body.
It is best to be active in the morning. By firing up your 'internal heater' early in the day, you will be less cold during the day. You benefit from it all day long.
Water
Water is a good conductor. Hydrotherapy, a treatment with water, is therefore perfect for cold feet in various ways. It sounds more complicated than it is. Hydrotherapy can be as simple as a hot water bottle.
Another form of hydrotherapy is a warm foot bath. You can read how to apply this in this blog. Start your foot bath with lukewarm water if your feet are very cold. Once your feet have warmed up a bit, you can slowly increase the temperature by adding more warm water.
If you want to make yourself more resilient to the cold, you can get used to taking a cold shower in the summer. Finish your hot shower daily by running cold water over your body for 30 seconds. Then dry yourself thoroughly and get dressed. This has a stimulating effect, so it is best to do this in the morning.
Temperance
Smoking and caffeine cause blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow. This can therefore contribute to cold feet. It is therefore better to stop smoking and replace caffeinated drinks.
Warm clothing
“Prevention is better than cure” is a well-known expression. In the case of cold feet, you could say, "Keeping warm is better than having to warm up." Wear warm, covering clothing to keep your feet and legs warm. Choose long socks instead of ankle socks; don't wear nylon tights, but leggings. Preferably buy clothing made of natural materials that are breathable and insulating.
Also wear warm, waterproof shoes, in which you may put a thermo or wool insoles. Please make sure that an insole or thicker sock does not cause your shoes to be too tight. If your feet are pinched in your shoes, this can make blood flow more difficult.
Don't obstruct
Make sure other clothing is not too tight either, so as not to impede circulation and breathing.
Your posture can also (partly) obstruct your blood vessels. By crossing the legs, pulling up under you or resting your legs on an edge, you reduce the blood flow in your feet. Pay attention to your posture and try to improve it.
Concluding
I hope that these tips will help you to get warmer feet and it will contribute to your well-being.
Disclaimer
The information on this website is educational and general in nature. The posts on this site are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, personalized advice, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
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