5 Tips to Save Your Feet on Black Friday
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we know the biggest shopping day of the year—Black Friday—is right around the corner. If you’re planning to get out there and get your first pick of holiday gifts, we want to give our Nature Coast patients some strategies for saving your feet and your money.
Make a plan. There are sure to be lots of stores with special offers and limited supplies of this year’s most wanted holiday gifts, so plot your course before you set out. Prioritize what tops your list to purchase. Also, see how to minimize the walking by visiting multiple stores in one mall or plaza where possible. Place items of lesser importance further down on your list, and be prepared to call it quits if your feet start to hurt.
Choose a trusted pair of shoes. It goes without saying that the most comfortable and supportive pair of walking shoes or sneakers that you own is the right footwear choice for a Black Friday shopping excursion. It is no time to make a fashion statement—leave the fashion boots and anything with a heel at home. It’s also a good idea to pack a couple of bandages or small pieces of moleskin that you can apply to any spot on your feet that starts to feel sore. Your shopping day will definitely be shortened if a painful blister forms.
Take breaks. You’ll be able to shop longer if you take a few breaks throughout the day. Find a place to sit and, if possible, elevate your feet. It will keep the blood flowing and give your feet a chance to rest.
Let your fingers do some of the walking. Remember that many Black Friday offers are also available online, where you can shop from the comfort of your couch. The holidays are a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself for maximum enjoyment of the entire season.
Get foot pain checked promptly. If Black Friday or any other holiday activities leave you with foot or ankle pain that doesn’t go away with a day of rest, contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 for an appointment. Our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, will examine your feet and diagnose and treat your podiatric discomfort so you can get back to enjoying all this holiday season has to offer.