Those of us who enjoy walking and running for exercise (or even power-shopping) depend on happy, healthy feet for our efforts. Here are a few suggestions for tender, loving post-exercise foot pampering:

Soak your feet in warm water, or use warm milk for an extra special treat, for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from water, pat dry, but leave a bit damp.

Use a pumice stone to get rid of rough or hardened skin. Don’t be too harsh, though. It’s better to remove build-up a little at a time rather than try to undo serious problems all at once.

Use a natural foot scrub. You can find them commercially or make one yourself at home. One I’ve used and enjoyed in the past calls for mixing together a cup of vegetable oil and a cup of sea salt. Cut an orange into thick slices and dip into the oil/salt mixture, then rub the slices all over your feet, with special attention to the roughened areas. Rinse and dry thoroughly when finished scrubbing.

If needed, trim your toenails. Cut the nails straight across and use a file (non-metal) to eliminate any sharp edges.

Massage a generous amount of cream (peppermint or tea-tree varieties are especially good for the feet) into your feet. Brush or dab on some cuticle oil and gently push back your cuticles.

Put your feet up on a pillow for at least 15 minutes. They need the rest, plus the elevation helps with water retention and swelling.

One additional area I have to pay special attention to is my ever-dry heels. I’ve tried the frequently suggested routine of applying oil or cream at bedtime, then donning a pair of socks. That’s fine for about 20 minutes, which is about as long as I can stand to wear socks in bed. I may have found a compromise, though:

All you have to do is cut the toe part of an old pair of white socks!

Sometimes I make life so much harder than it has to be.

Shout out with any foot-pampering tips or product suggestions of your own.