Are you someone who struggles with cold feet, no matter what you do? Do you have difficulty keeping them warm even after wearing thick socks? Are you looking for ways to improve your circulation and keep your feet toasty and warm? If so, then this article is for you!
Look, winter is here and the snow is falling. And that means whether you’re a seasoned skier or a beginner snowboarder, having warm feet is essential for a good day on the slopes.
But how do you keep your feet warm with poor circulation? You ask. Well, poor circulation can make it hard to maintain warm feet and can lead to extreme discomfort and even health risks. But that doesn’t mean your feet have to suffer. With a few simple steps, you can keep your feet warm and toasty all winter long, so they don’t get in the way of your daily activities.
From layering up to choosing the right sock materials and easy exercise, we’ll show you how to keep your feet warm despite poor circulation. So get ready to bundle up and stay snug – it’s about time we explore the snow guide for keeping your feet and toes warm. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean To Have Cold Feet
When your feet get or feel colder than the rest of your body, this is known as having cold feet. For instance, you could be having warm hands, yet your feet are feeling as if you just walked barefoot on snow.
Your feet could feel cold for a variety of reasons, from living in chilly climates to being a sign of a serious health condition. Poor blood flow in the legs and feet is the most common reason for chilly feet, though. So you might want to contact your doctor for a checkup if you often experience cold feet.
Otherwise, it is common and normal to experience cold feet once in a while. But since most of these cases are rather temporary or sometimes linked to a symptom of another condition, how frequently you should experience cold feet is unknown.
What About Poor Circulation: What Is It?
Put simply, poor circulation is when there is insufficient blood flow to one or more body parts. That means when there’s a reduction in blood flow to specific parts of your body, you might experience signs of poor circulation. It is a common condition among those with Peripheral arterial disease and can lead to an increased risk of having major foot issues.
It’s good to note that poor circulation is not a condition in and of itself. Instead, it is caused by other health problems, and therefore, treating the underlying causes rather than just the symptoms is so crucial. Poor blood circulation is caused by a number of health conditions.
Peripheral vascular disease, or PVD, which is a condition that inhibits the regular blood flow to and from the heart, is another prevalent reason for impaired circulation. This condition can also cause varicose veins, skin discoloration, and severe leg swelling.
The body receives life-supporting blood through circulation, which allows the heart to beat, the brain to function, and the body to move. Poor circulation can results in symptoms that first appear in the legs and feet, which, in turn, makes it hard to keep your feet warm.
Other causes of poor circulation include obesity, diabetes, arterial issues, and heart conditions. The good news is that you can effectively improve circulation with simple tips and easy exercises.
Besides, you’re not alone. Many individuals suffer from cold feet due to poor circulation. But by understanding the causes and taking the right precautions, it is possible to keep your feet warm despite the cold weather and reduce the risk of any further complications.
How To Keep Your Feet Warm With Poor Circulation
In the next section, we’ll explore the best ways to keep your feet warm with poor circulation. Find out what you can do to keep your feet toasty and comfortable, even when temperatures start to dip. Ready to learn more? let’s dive in!
Pay Attention to Socks
Well, it might sound obvious but one effective way to keep your feet warm is by paying attention to the socks you wear. Not all socks are made equal, we all know that. Some are so light that they hardly even register as clothing.
Look, a time will come when you will need those super-thin light socks, but if you want to warm up your delicate feet, tiny cotton socks just won’t do. Warmer feet will certainly call for proper socks, especially if you’re dealing with poor circulation.
Wool socks can be great, but just like how all feet are different, these socks are not created equal. Choose socks that are snug and carefully padded so they conform to your foot without being overly bulky.
Go for a wool sock that is particularly thick, either 100% wool or a blend of the same. Note that knitted socks are generally thicker compared to other types. You might want to wear cotton socks or two pairs of wool socks if you are still having trouble keeping your feet warm.
Just remember that wearing two socks can feel a bit restricting, so larger socks might be a great idea with this approach.
Alternatively, you can wear thermal or rather shearling-lined socks. These ones can offer a little bit of extra insulation and are also referred to as “slipper socks.” However, after one or two uses, this kind of sock would need to be washed, so it might not be the best everyday solution.
Moreover, you can always put any kind of sock in the dryer for around 15 minutes before wearing it. Although the warmth from the warm socks may fade after a few minutes, the immediate warmth may be sufficient to make you feel warmer and more comfortable for a few hours.
Choose the Right Boots
Do your feet feel like blocks of ice, no matter what type of socks or shoes you wear? Well, here’s yet another precaution.
It goes without saying that selecting the right boots is important to keep your feet warm during chilly weather. Your regular lightweight hiking shoes will be great for dry days, but all the rain mud, slush, and snow associated with winter will render them obsolete.
Cold feet inevitably result from wet feet. Invest in a pair of cozy, waterproof boots that are also breathable so that sweat doesn’t leave your feet feeling icy and frigid.
If your boots are not waterproof boots (and they absorb water), then your feet will get wet too. Fortunately, there are many different styles of waterproof boots out there that offer great waterproofing. So if you want to keep your feet warm and dry, the boots should be well-designed not to restrict circulation as this would reduce warmth. Also, they shouldn’t be overly tight and should have good soles that keep the cold out from the bottom.
You might be tempted to buy yours online, but it is best to have your boots fitted in-store. If you wish to buy online, make sure the retailer has a fair returns policy before making the purchase. Put on the socks you regularly wear when hiking to ensure a suitable fit.
Again, your footwear shouldn’t be too tight because this could restrict blood flow and result in cold feet even if your feet are dry. Check out for the following when trying the boots:
- Make sure your toes can move around in your boot.
- The boots and socks shouldn’t fit too tight: this will result in poor circulation
- Get your size right and treat your boots regularly.
Overall, one major precaution you should take to keep your feet warm and toasty is to make sure you’re wearing the right boots. You don’t want anything that undermines your efforts.
Consider Wearing Warm Innersoles
Did you know that standing on a cold surface causes you to lose heat more quickly than having chilly cold air all over your feet? In case your feet are still icy even after trying the ideas discussed above you may consider using woolen innersoles.
Not only will this create an additional layer between the boot and your feet, but it will also reduce unwanted odors and promote comfort.
Wearing Warm Gear To Maintain Heat
One of the greatest ways to warm your feet is to keep the rest of your body warm, something you’ve probably heard before. In other words, your feet won’t be able to defrost if your arms, legs, and core are chilly.
Consider wearing leggings underneath your pants, layering several sweaters, or draping a blanket around your torso or shoulders. You may also try donning a warm scarf, knit cap, or maybe an electric blanket.
You need to keep your head warm as well. If not, you will become completely frozen. Wearing hats and scarves while indoors might seem foolish, but who cares? It’s your house now!
Try to keep the temperature in your surroundings comfortable. Note that room temperature is considered normal when between 20 and 28 degrees. But that may vary from one person to another.
Wearing Comfy-Cozy Slippers
Wearing a pair of snug, comfortable slippers is one surefire way to keep your feet warm. Socks serve a purpose, and street shoes are for going out into the world.
However, a cozy slipper is an ideal compromise that will keep your feet warm as you relax in the privacy of your own home. Besides, they are the greatest footwear for indoor purposes.
For the best results, you should invest in insulated bedroom slippers that have plush linings and supportive arches. Comfortable slippers are a great way to kickstart your day, concentrate at work, unwind when you get home, and rest when you need to.
Wearing Toe and Foot Warmers
Although toe warmers may appear a little weird, they can be very useful. You can order yours online or at the pharmacies; note that their labels may read “hand warmers,” “toe warmers,” or both. Usually, they come in tiny packets that you tuck into your shoe’s toe box or sock.
Another choice for keeping your feet toasty in chilly weather is an electric foot warmer. This device warms your feet to the right temperature while allowing you to slip your feet inside.
However, before using them, be sure to read the instructions because some are not meant for skin contact. If that’s the case, though, you may place one between two pairs of socks if you don’t want to wear shoes inside. Otherwise, toe warmers can be a true game-changer if your feet are chilly most of the time because they typically offer five or more hours of heat.
Stay Active
Keep moving to improve circulation. Moving around every so often will help keep your feet warmer. Also, consider wrapping them in warm clothing and materials.
Your body tends to cool off when you sit or lie down for an extended amount of time. So getting up and moving around every hour is a good idea to help stay warm.
Even in freezing weather, getting up and taking a short stroll around your house can help stimulate blood flow and even raise body temperature a few degrees.
You don’t need to run laps around your block. If you don’t know where to begin, try some basic stretches, a few squats, or just take a leisurely stroll through your house.
You can effectively improve your body heat by doing any of these. If you have a desk job, you can help the situation by standing up and moving around the office. Moreover, you can use aerobic exercises such as running or even jumping jacks to improve your blood circulation.
Foot Baths
Soaking cold feet in a warm footbath is yet another way to alleviate the discomfort. To keep the fresh blood flowing to the feet all day, simply fill the bathtub or basin with warm water and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes. It might be especially useful before bed as it can also assist to relax the muscles.
That said, however, persons who have diabetic nerve damage should refrain from warming their feet in hot water since they might not be able to tell if it is excessively hot or not.
Check Your Feet Regularly
Always look out for any troubling changes, such as blisters, cuts, or sores, and keep your feet clean and dry, and well-covered. It’s also recommended to let your doctor examine your feet regularly to prevent anything from getting worse. If the situation worsens, it can be a medical emergency, so you should visit your doctor.
Avoid anything that is really hot. Always be careful when using things like hot water bottles, electric blankets, heated socks, heated shoes, hot baths, and electric heaters. These might burn your skin, and if you have neuropathy, you might not realize it until it’s too late.
Cold Feet: What Are The Causes
The term “cold feet” basically refers to more than just feeling uneasy before a big occasion like let’s say wedding. Some people genuinely have cold feet, which can be both physically and mentally uncomfortable, but a lot of people will have the chills at some point. While some causes are transient and normal, others could point to more severe medical concerns.
Below are some of the most common causes of cold feet:
Peripheral Artery Disease
Let’s start by stating that the arteries in the heart, brain, legs, and arms are all impacted by atherosclerosis. As such, peripheral artery disease is the term used to describe atherosclerosis that affects the upper and lower limbs.
Peripheral artery disease, therefore, results from blocked arteries in your legs, which can impair blood circulation and cause cold feet. It often happens when plaque accumulates in blood vessels, particularly in the arteries.
The accumulation eventually causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which reduces blood flow. It could also be a sign of something more serious, such as a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Your healthcare provider can detect this condition by examining the pulse in your legs.
Note that poor blood circulation makes it difficult for your heart to pump sufficient warm blood to specific extremities, thereby leaving your feet feeling colder than the rest of your body.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
One of the most common reasons for chilly feet is nerve injury, which manifests itself in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Over time, about 60 to 70% of people dealing with diabetes sustain some form of neuropathy.
Note that there are many different symptoms associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, such as burning, tingling, sensitivity to touch, etc. Although your feet may feel warm to the touch, they are actually frigid to you. These symptoms tend to worsen at night.
Blood Clots
Blood flow to or from specific organs or tissues will be impeded if there’s a blood clot in the blood vessel. In fact, clots can entirely stop the blood flow in some cases.
This can be a painful condition and if it spreads, it can cause serious problems including a heart attack, a stroke, or an embolism in a pulmonary artery.
Blood clots can occur anywhere in the body and this can lead to poor circulation. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for the same, if detected early.
Overweight
Your body will have to bear all the stress of extra weight, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting or standing. Other conditions associated with excess body weight include varicose veins and high blood pressure.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that results from an underactive thyroid. In this case, your body’s metabolism is hampered by low thyroid hormone levels, which also results in poor circulation and consequently colder feet.
Certain Medication
There are certain medications that can result in chilly feet by narrowing blood arteries, especially those used to treat head colds, blood pressure, migraines, and other related conditions. So consider talking to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you start having colder feet following a particular medication.
Anemia
Well, this one is simple; when there is a red blood cell deficit, anemia develops. It’s another common reason for cold feet, particularly among persons with severe anemia cases.
While anemia due to iron deficiency can occur in healthy adults, it’s normally easy to treat with dietary adjustments as well as taking supplements.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
This is a neurological condition that results in bizarre sensations in your legs while you’re at rest. Symptoms painful, creeping, creeping, and even chilling sensations on the skin of your legs. It can also lead to poor circulation and colder feet
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
This particular sort of nerve condition is brought on by the compression of the nerves in the foot and ankle. It is often experienced by those with diabetes.
Best Socks for Cold Feet with Poor Circulation
One of the most crucial things to keep in mind when choosing the best socks for cold feet is that thickness doesn’t always translate to warmth. The material employed in the making of the socks will often dictate how warm and cozy they are. Ideal materials include warm, moisture-wicking textiles like merino wool and insulating materials like acrylic.
While regular wool is not quite as soft or breathable as merino wool, other types of wool socks are still a decent choice and maybe even more affordable than merino. However, 100% cotton isn’t really the ideal option for chilly feet because it loses all insulating qualities as it gets wet, which is bound to happen if you go outside in rainy weather.
Here are a few picks you can check out:
Bonjour Woolen Thumb Socks
The fact that these socks are made of natural fibers makes them ideal for keeping feet warm and fresh. The wool gives your skin both hydration and the ability to regulate temperature, which adds to the overall comfort, making the socks certainly worth the money.
Additionally, you can take pleasure in the warmth without sacrificing the freshness. Every woman who enjoys traveling needs a pair of these socks in her wardrobe, and by wearing these, you’ll get to be cozy all day long and perfectly take care of your feet. Furthermore, it supports your overall daytime comfort, and it goes well with casual clothing as well.
Fresh Feet Organic Mid-Calf Socks
What you get here is a nice pair of cushion socks made from 100% organic combed cotton mixed with an odor-resistant technology that actively battles bacteria to keep your feet fresh and odor-free all day.
You’ll also enjoy optimal comfort, thanks to the elastic arch support in the middle, breathable mesh on the top for breathability, and soft terry material at the bottom for cushioning and sweat absorption. They are basically designed to meet market standards.
They have a premium elastic grip, great durability, and a close, comfortable fit. The heel and toe have also been toughened to withstand daily use and as mentioned, each pair of socks is made entirely of combed organic cotton. Moreover, each sock in the three-pair set is carefully tucked in a ribbon, and the three pairs are bundled up in a classy transparent plastic cover.
NOFALL Antislip Split Toe Socks
One thing we loved about this sock has a split toe and is available in Indian sizes ranging from 4 to 7. And it is made up of 88 percent cotton and 12 percent lycra. Making one of the best options to wear with exercise, yoga, etc. because it improves balance.
Even when using the restroom, you can put on slippers while wearing these split-toe socks. They offer a better grip inside the shoes as well, so you can wear them with your shoes as well. Furthermore, these socks are hand and machine-washable. That means you can use regular water and a washing machine to clean. And even after numerous machine washes, it keeps its grip and elasticity.
Conclusion
It’s not just on your wedding day that you may have to deal with cold feet. It’s a common experience, especially if you reside in a colder climate. However, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if the condition persists as it could be an indication of a more serious issue. Hopefully, you’re now ready to brave the snow and stay cozy despite poor circulation.
