By the Foot

Image compliments of A Place By the Sea

For my birthday last year, my friend Megan told me to put on a pair of flip flops (in 45 degree temperatures) and join her for a surprise. A bit apprehensive about the no-shoes policy, I went along with her, mostly because her new car had seat warmers.

I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled up in front of Ginger Bay, a very nice, extremely reputable salon and spa. For the next 45 minutes, our tootsies were soaked, moisturized, buffed, massaged and coaxed into an unrecognizably good condition. My friend had given me the gift of a pedicure, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

It's very rare that I, along with many women (and most men), take the time to pamper my puppies. Our feet take us from place to place, we run, walk, jog and jump on them, they support us (literally), and we rely on them for balance. So why don't we take better care of them? We here at the Carpetology blog are firm believers in the benefits of healthy feet. Taking care of them means a lifetime of long walks, slow strolls, healthy runs, and hours of toe wiggling in soft, cozy carpets.

Still not convinced that pedis are just as beneficial as they are superficial?

According to an article published RunnersWorld.com in October, pedicures offer more than just a pretty polish. They moisturize feet, helping to prevent blisters, callouses and corns. With someone else trimming your toenails, you eliminate the awkward bending and stretching it takes to reach your feet, avoiding the risk of tearing nails and thus, developing ingrown toenails. InSpa Corporation, a network of spas on the west coast, tells us that "One-fourth of the bones in the entire human body are in your feet. When these bones are out of alignment, it can affect your entire body." Their website adds that pedis are not only physical, but emotional as well - a monthly pampering relaxes the body and releases tension.

Think of your feet as a mode of transportation. You wouldn't go over 3,000 miles without giving your car an oil change, so why would you walk hundreds of thousands steps without caring for your feet? Because they work as hard as they do, our feet deserve a little extra attention. Go ahead - love your feet.

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