How to keep your feet warm in autumn and winter?

The autumn-winter season can be cold and rainy. Such weather can be particularly troublesome for our feet, which tend to freeze during walks. Feet, much like hands, lack significant muscles or fat tissue, making them more susceptible to the cold. During the fall and winter, we should take extra care to protect them. How can we properly protect our feet from the cold?

Protection of Feet from the Cold

The most important protection for feet against the cold is footwear. Winter shoes should have a warm lining and a sole that protects against the cold of the ground. Additionally, it’s a good idea to choose winter footwear made of natural materials, such as leather or suede, which will ensure proper ventilation for your feet.

The second essential element for warming up the feet during winter hikes is socks. Here are a few types of warm socks that won’t disappoint even the coldest individuals:

Merino wool socks – their fibers are durable, dense, moisture-resistant, warm, and soft to the touch; additionally, merino wool has thermoregulating properties,
Outdoor socks – their sport-oriented design ensures effective moisture wicking and retention of the right amount of warmth; they are also very comfortable and often contoured,
Sheep wool socks – their thermal properties are unmatched – these are definitely the thickest and warmest socks, but they are more suitable for wearing at home (they can be too thick to wear in shoes).

If, despite wearing proper footwear and warm socks, our feet are still freezing, it’s worth considering additional protection in the form of winter insoles. We can choose durable and soft felt insoles, thinner insoles with aluminum foil for better insulation, or wool insoles made from sheep wool.

Warming Treatments for Feet

Sometimes, feet can freeze even when we are in a heated room. What can we do in such cases?

The first way to warm up your feet at home is by taking a foot bath. For the bath, you will need a basin with warm water, bath salts, and natural warming essential oils, such as pine oil, rosemary oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, orange oil, or sage oil. These oils can also be used for a warming foot massage, which should be done (preferably before bed) to stimulate blood circulation. A quick and intense rubbing of the feet can have a similar effect. Some people use a brush with natural bristles for this purpose.

The above methods should be effective. You can choose one of them or, if necessary, use them all in sequence. Remember, after the bath, massage, or brushing, it is a good idea to put on wool socks and warm up under a thick blanket with a cup of hot tea (you can add honey, ginger, or raspberries to the tea). This treatment not only warms us temporarily but, if used regularly, can strengthen immunity and completely eliminate the problem of cold feet.