A Cooling Evening Ritual for Hot, Tired and Puffy Feet
If recent warm weather has left your feet and ankles feeling hot, heavy or a little puffier than usual then you're not alone. It's something I struggle with, and other members of Team Bloom, particuarly those who are standing up a lot of the day, have said the same thing.
During warmer weather, our blood vessels naturally widen to help cool the body. Standing for long periods, travelling, gardening, spending more time on your feet, and excessive heat can all encourage fluid to collect around the ankles, leaving your feet feeling tired and uncomfortable by the end of the day.
Thankfully, there are a few simple things that really can help, and this little ritual at the end of the day is a great way to soothe your feet and feel cooler all over.
1. Start with a cool foot soak
Fill a bowl with cool water and add a generous scoop of epsom salts, or our Bloom Foot Soak. Epsom salts on their own naturally help reduce swelling, and our Foot Soak is blended with Epsom salts and cooling Peppermint oil, Lemongrass and Cypress essential oils. Cypress essential oil is a natural diuretic and helps ease puffiness and water retention and Lemongrass essential oil reduces sweating. This gorgeous product creates an instant refresh that helps revive tired feet after a long day.
If your feet are especially hot, pop the bowl in the fridge for 10–15 minutes beforehand or add a couple of ice cubes to the water.
2. Elevate your legs
After drying your feet, spend 10–15 minutes with your legs resting above the level of your heart using a couple of cushions. It's one of the simplest ways to encourage fluid to move away from the feet and ankles, and it feels wonderfully restorative after a busy day.
3. Massage upwards
Massaging the foot area with smooth upward strokes helps improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. Warm a little oil or refreshing Foot Balm between your hands before massaging into your feet, ankles and lower legs using slow, upward strokes towards the knees..
Our Foot Balm contains the same refreshing blend of Peppermint and Cypress essential oils found in our Foot Soak and leaves skin feeling beautifully cool and revived, while rich botanical butters and nourishing plant oils soften and condition even the driest summer feet.
4. Finish with an icy boost (optional)
If your feet are still feeling particularly warm, finish with a cool flannel wrapped around your ankles for a few minutes, or briefly roll a chilled bottle of water beneath the soles of your feet. It's a wonderfully refreshing way to end the day.
A few extra summer tips
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Stay well hydrated throughout the day.
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Try not to sit or stand in one position for too long.
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Stretch your calves and ankles regularly if you're travelling.
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Choose breathable footwear whenever possible.
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A gentle evening walk can often help get everything moving again.
A few quiet minutes of self-care at the end of the day can make a remarkable difference, helping your feet feel lighter, cooler and ready for tomorrow.
If your feet could do with a little extra care this summer, our Foot Soak and Foot Balm make the perfect pairing.
Shop the Cooling Summer Foot Ritual bundle here and save £6 or buy our luxury cooling set here which includes skin smoothing micro crystal foot files and pumice stone