We spend all day running around from responsibility to responsibility, putting pressure on our feet and making them sore. Sometimes it is not enough to put on a pair of fluffy socks at the end of a long day and elevate our feet. Instead, we need something that will instantly soothe and alleviate our discomfort.
Epsom salt baths have long been used for this very purpose. They are quick, simple, and effective–a 15-30 minute Epsom salt foot soak, done twice a week, can make a world of difference in your quality of life and overall foot and skin health.
Read on to discover the many benefits, both mental and physical, of soaking your feet in Epsom salt.
What Is Epsom Salt?
First things first, Epsom salt has no relation to sodium-based table salt, and definitely should not be consumed or used to flavor a meal. Instead, Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate compound. It is crystalline in shape and structure, and sometimes even comes in soft pastel colors such as pink or purple (though it is generally white).
Epsom salt is considered a natural solution to various body ailments and is typically added to warm water to create an extra-soothing bath. With foot problems, for example, you can put warm water and Epsom salts into a container large enough for your feet and soak your feet. The benefits of Epsom salt move beyond the physical, as Epsom salt naturally reduces stress and calms the body.
There are a lot of different Epsom salts on the market, so look for ones that are third-party certified by organizations like USP. You also want to find an Epsom salt mix that is 100% magnesium sulfate.
How To Take An Epsom Salt Bath
In order to reap all of the benefits of an Epsom salt bath, it is important to draw your bath correctly. Luckily, it is super easy to do, whether you have access to a bath or not!
The best thing to do is follow the directions on the back of the packaging of whatever brand of Epsom salt you decided to purchase. You can use a bathtub, basin, or container deep and wide enough to hold your feet. Fill the basin with warm (but not hot!) water until your feet are submerged.
Once you have enough water at the right temperature, add about one-half to three-quarters of a cup of Epsom salts to the bath and soak your feet. The optimal foot soak will last for 15-30 minutes, so as not to dry out the feet, and can be repeated twice a week.
For added aromatherapy benefits such as better mood and relaxation, add lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint essential oil to your foot soak.
Once your bath is done, get up slowly, as you might feel a little dizzy. Dry your feet completely and then rehydrate the skin on your feet with lotion or another moisturizing agent. And voila! It is really that simple.
The more consistent you are with soaking your feet, the more you will be able to experience the benefits of using Epsom salt.
The 7 Benefits Of Using Epsom Salt
Firstly, Epsom salts are beneficial because of how accessible they are. They are easy and relaxing to use, minimally invasive, and provide high value for their relatively inexpensive cost. Plus, you can use them right at home! No trips to the doctor, no daily ingestion of medications, no messy clean-up.
Best of all, Epsom salts actually work. In addition, Epsom salts offer both mental and physical benefits, such as:
1. Stress Relief
We live hectic lives, and our feet are the ones bearing a lot of that weight. Taking the time to draw yourself a bath and just let your feet soak will help you decompress from the many tribulations of everyday human life. Stress promotes all kinds of chronic illness, so reducing it as much as possible will benefit the entire body. A decrease in stress will also help stabilize your mood and reduce mental uneasiness.
2. Better Sleep
Less stress leads to better sleep. If you soak your feet in Epsom salts right before bed, you will help transition your body into rest mode, making it much easier to fall asleep right afterward. A better night’s sleep will help prepare you to take on the next day with vigor and better concentration and energy. While you can technically soak your feet at any time during the day, doing so close to bedtime will create added benefits.
3. Reduce Discomfort
One of the most common reasons to use Epsom salts is for relief. Whether your feet are sore from a long day, or you are suffering from some type of foot ailment such as corns, Epsom salts have the answer. Instead of using potentially risky (especially when used habitually) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil to relieve your discomfort, natural solutions like Epsom salt baths have few side effects and all the benefits. Consider supplementing your Epsom salt foot soak with an omega supplement, which will further soothe and calm the entire body.†
4. Detoxification
Epsom salts are effective by dilating the blood vessels near the skin and flushing out toxins. This relaxes and softens the entire region. If you have a splinter, for example, this process will allow for it to easily be freed from the skin.
5. Healing/Soothing
Epsom salt baths can relax the muscles and support the discomfort in your feet. They will also help relieve itchiness and dryness, as long as you remember to moisturize afterward.
6. Better-Looking Skin
If you ever feel self-conscious about the state of your feet when, say, getting a pedicure, Epsom salts can help increase your confidence and improve the overall appearance of your feet. Epsom salts exfoliate the skin on the feet by getting rid of dead skin and creating smoother and softer skin. Additionally, since Epsom salts promote better foot health and cleanliness, they neutralize any foot odors you may have had.
7. Protection From Fungus
Ever struggle with athlete’s foot? If you have, you know how unfortunate and sometimes embarrassing the situation can be. While Epsom salt baths will not necessarily solve this problem, they will help prevent future issues by creating an environment that is unattractive to fungi and bacteria. Make sure to check with your doctor before using Epsom salts if you are suffering from a fungal infection, as some infections (like staph infections) do not necessarily benefit from the use of Epsom salts.
Does Epsom Salt Increase Magnesium?
While one of the main ingredients in Epsom salts is magnesium, there is little evidence that using Epsom salts increases the levels of magnesium in the bloodstream. Therefore, Epsom salts are not a viable solution to a magnesium deficiency/insufficiency.
Since plenty of adults suffer from insufficient levels of magnesium, however, there are plenty of supplements and other treatment options widely available, which your doctor can point you towards.
Avoid soaking your feet in Epsom salts if you have diabetes, or if you have open wounds, sores, swelling, or burns on the feet.
If you are not sure if Epsom salts will work for your condition, consult with your doctor or primary care provider.
Epsom Salt For Better Foot Health
Soaking your feet in Epsom salts can reduce discomfort and support greater foot health, but how else can you keep your feet looking their best?
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To avoid athlete’s foot, (in addition to soaking your feet in Epsom salts) you can wear acrylic, breathable socks, and buy multiple pairs of sneakers, so each pair has time to dry out between uses.
- Recently, a poll on Twitter sparked an online debate as to whether or not you need to wash below the waist in the shower. Unfortunately for the people who answered ‘no’ to washing their legs (and feet), scrubbing your feet with water and soap is essential to optimal foot health. Additionally, you should carefully dry your feet after washing, since fungi love moisture.
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Wear breathable, well-fitting shoes. If your feet cannot breathe, they are more likely to become sweaty, which increases the risk of fungal infection and itchy skin. Well-fitting shoes, especially with arch support if you are going to be on your feet all day, will reduce the possibility of swelling and soreness in the feet after use.
Finally, if you notice anything different or worry about your feet, such as swollen toes or signs of an infection, contact your doctor for advice on which steps you should take for treatment.
In Conclusion
Epsom salt baths are simple, efficient, and effective at reducing foot discomfort and soreness, relieving stress, and detoxifying the region. They also improve the appearance of skin and create an environment less likely to welcome fungal infections.
By soaking your feet in Epsom salts right before bed, you can improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. Your feet will be cleaner, softer, and more comfortable, and you will be more relaxed!
