After a long day, a nice relaxing soak sounds nice. But who has time to take a bath? Well, maybe a foot soak is perfect for you.
What is a foot soak?
Simply put, a foot soak is a bath only for your feet. Foot soaks have been around for thousands of years in all parts of the world. They were very popular with the Chinese and Japanese, as both cultures believed that the foot was the foundation or root to our health. This is because the soles of our feet carry more sensory nerve ending and sweat glands than any other part of the body.
Traditionally, foot soaks were done in barrels full of hot water, salt, and oils. This ‘barrel method’ can still be used today, or you can find gadgets specifically for foot soaking that offer special features like jets and massage options.
Benefits of Foot Soaks
There are lots of reasons to soak your feet! Here are five benefits to soaking your feet.
Softer Feet
Espom salt foot soaks can be used to exfoliate rough and cracked feet by removing dead skin. This leaves your feet soft and silky smooth! Rub the salt into the feet first to exfoliate, then let let your feet soak in the salt water to soften up the skin.
Pain Relief
Foot soaks can help relieve a variety of pain, from muscle to joint, in the feet. The hot water of a foot soak increases blood circulation, which helps to relax the muscles. The hot water also helps to reduce inflammation, which can lead to joint pain.
Treating Fungal Infections
Fungal infections on the feet are quite common. That is because often they are squished in socks and shoes, building up moisture for bacteria and fungus to grow. A foot soak can help to kill and remove the bacteria and fungus on our feet. A foot soak with essential oils such as tea tree oil can be extra beneficial for fungal infections.
Helps with Cuts and Bruises
Immersing your feet in hot water helps to increase blood circulation. More blood flow means more nutrients are being delivered to the feet, which helps to regenerate and speed up the healing process.
Boosts your Mental Health
Foot soaks are a great form of self-care and can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting your mood. Foot soaks help us unwind and relax, giving us a much needed break in our busy and stressful days.
With all these benefits, what’s stopping you from trying a foot soak? A good starting tip is to soak for 20 minutes or longer. Try it with essential oils even to boost your foot soak benefits!
Need a jump start? Schedule your foot soak at Angels and Sages Spa in Oklahoma City, or grab one of our premade bath & foot soak blends on our online store to get you started. Click here for more info.
