How to be nice to your feet (so they're nice to you)

Your feet take the brunt of everything, it seems, except when you're sleeping (and none of us spend much time doing that anyway). When your feet aren't feeling well your whole body doesn't feel well, so it's just common sense to do what you can to take care of them. Here are 5 suggestions to help you take care of your tootsies:

1) Don't go barefoot! Many injuries come from seemingly innocent barefoot activities like walking through the grass or dashing briefly across a sidewalk or street. Sharp objects or hot pavement can cause unexpected injuries that take much longer to heal than they did to happen.

2) Avoid heel pain, or at least treat it. People sometimes think there's nothing that can be done for plantar fasciitis, but there are options -- and if you don't treat it things will only get worse.
3) Wear sensible shoes, meaning shoes that attach to your feet, don't force and squeeze your toes into a tight point, and spread your weight out evenly over a thicker heel that isn't too high.

4) Protect your feet from contaminated water. Wear flip flops or other shoes at the pool, the gym locker room, and anywhere else there may be standing water. And take precautions when getting a pedicure at the salon -- salon equipment has often been found to have organisms in the drains and water jet outlets.

5) Take care of your feet while hiking. Wear good shoes that have already been broken in (not brand new), wear socks no matter how hot it is, and if you get a blister don't pop it -- blisters provide natural cushioning and protect from infection.