Tired, achy feet are a common problem. Spas and salons offer a variety of pampering services to help relieve tired feet, but those services can be expensive. At-home treatments can provide the same relief without the high cost.
Basic Equipment
To give yourself a spa-style foot treatment at home, you need some basic equipment. Buy a plastic or metal basin large enough to soak your feet in. These are available in the housewares department of chain stores: check the aisle where dish drainers and other plastics are sold. For many foot-relief recipes, you also need a bag of Epsom salts, which are available in the health and beauty aisles of your local drug or discount store. To add an additional spa touch, you can line the bottom of your basin with marbles or small river stones for a massaging effect when you run your feet over the bottom.
For Tired, Achy Feet
The most basic spa-style foot soak for tired, achy feet is a simple soak using Epsom salts. Fill your basin with warm water and add 1/2 cup of epsom salts. Swirl to dissolve the salt. Soak your feet in this solution for half an hour or until the water gets cold. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to softly scent the water. A teaspoon of tea tree oil deodorizes and disinfects feet.
For a Toe-to-Head Perk Up
To soothe tired feet while energizing the whole body, try this recipe. Fill your basin with 1 gallon of warm water and add 2 cups of brewed coffee. The caffeine in the coffee is absorbed into your skin while you soak. Many new creams and body treatments are adding caffeine for its skin-tightening benefits as well. A coffee soak may also help with swollen feet, as the caffeine constricts blood vessels and pushes pooled blood back into the rest of the body.
For Dry, Cracked Feet
Dry, cracked feet can be itchy and painful. For a soak that helps to moisturize your dry feet, add 1/2 cup honey and 2 cups whole milk to your warm water. Stir well to dissolve and soak the dryness away. For extra dry feet, you can also add several teaspoons of olive or almond oil. You can also help heal cracks and dryness by piercing drugstore Vitamin E capsules and squeezing the oil into your water.
