National I Love My Feet Day Date in the current year: August 17, 2024

Our feet are our primary mode of transportation. They take us everywhere we need to go and carry our entire body weight and any extra load we carry. The help us stand, walk, run, jog, jump, play sports, dance, and swim. Our feet are extremely strong and resilient, but everything has its limits, so it’s very important to take good care of your feet and maintain foot health.

Most people have to deal with foot problems at some point in their lives. The most common foot problems include blisters, corns and calluses, athlete’s foot, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, bunions, heel pain, plantar warts, stone bruise, flat feet (fallen arches), fungal nail infections, and many more. Even seemingly insignificant foot problems can turn into major complications; because of this, you should do your best to take proper care of your feet.

The absolute minimum of foot care includes washing your feet daily in lukewarm water and checking them for cuts, sores, blisters, cracked skin, and other minor injuries. Don’t soak your feet every day because frequent soaking may dry them out; only soak them when you’re giving yourself a pedicure or when your feet are swollen and tired. Moisturize your feet after washing, but avoid putting moisturizer between your toes to keep the skin there dry and prevent fungal infections.

To keep you feet healthy, avoid tight-fitting shoes. Don’t wear flat-soled and high-heeled shoes too often because neither is good for your feet. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day; rotate your shoes to give them time to air in order to prevent fungal infections. Change your socks regularly and don’t share your socks, shoes or pedicure utensils with anyone.

It’s also important that you see a foot health specialist (called a podiatrist) if you experience foot problems that are more serious than blisters. Trying to shave or cut off your calluses, or performing “DIY surgery” on an ingrown nail will only make things worse.

National I Love My Feet Day was created in 2015 by Carolyn D. Jenkins, the author of the children’s book My Feet: An Ode. She wrote the book and launched the holiday to celebrate our primary mode of transportation and promote good foot care. The next year, Jenkins went even further and founded the Jenkins Donelson Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on promoting good foot health for the undeserved through providing them with socks, shoes, foot care supplies, educational materials, and podiatric care.

There are many ways to celebrate National I Love My Feet Day. Soak your feet in a tub with warm water and Epsom salt to help them relax, book an appointment for a pedicure or give yourself one at home, book a foot massage or a reflexology session, learn some simple foot exercises to prevent foot pain and improve overall health, buy some fun socks or a new pair of comfortable shoes, walk barefoot on grass or sand, or schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.