As the weather warms up and the outdoors looks more inviting, our thoughts naturally start heading toward outside activities. Caring for our entire bodies is important, so keeping foot health top of mind while staying active this summer is a good idea.

Below are a few exercises you can do this summer to help keep the impact on your feet low. 

Walking

The great thing about walking is that it's free, easy to do, and you can do it anywhere. You can walk alone or as part of a group to give yourself company and motivate yourself to get out and about. Walking is much easier and has a lower impact on your feet than running, but that doesn’t mean there’s no risk of foot or ankle injury. Avoid long-distance walking to prevent a foot injury from overuse. Start with short walks and add on distance slowly over time.

Riding A Bicycle

Bicycle riding offers flexibility when it comes to exercising during the warmer months. If you have an indoor, stationary bicycle, you can stay active even if it's raining and storming outside. However, a scenic outdoor bike ride can't be beaten if the weather is nice. Riding a bike is a great option for healthy exercises to protect your feet because your weight is spread amongst your arms, back, and hips. This is a great activity to do in a group with friends or family, which can make time fly by quickly.

Swimming

If your feet or ankles are hurting you, or you need to take special care to avoid injuring them, swimming and other water sports are for you. Your body becomes buoyant when you swim and do water aerobics, which takes all the pressure off your feet, ankles, and joints. Swimming gives you great cardiovascular health without the risk of injuring your feet. If you don’t know how to swim, you can still exercise in a pool's shallow end. The water provides a natural cushion for your joints, feet, and ankles and helps prevent sore muscles.

Yoga/ Tai Chi

Yoga is a great way to increase flexibility, balance and maintain good health. Be aware that some poses may stress your feet or ankles, so take it slow and build up to more complex poses. You can find many online yoga and tai chi videos that you can follow, but ideally, you should work with an instructor to ensure you're using the proper form.

A podiatrist can examine and evaluate your feet and ankles to find the cause of your pain. They will also assist you in finding a daily regime that works well for you and your condition. To make an appointment at our Middlesex County office, please call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information.