Summer is here and with it comes the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the hot weather, and even do some traveling. It’s SO good for you to spend time outside and ground yourself in nature. And, summer is the perfect time to do just that.
But, summer has its drawbacks, of course. The intense heat is no joke. Plus, the hot weather can also cause you to develop swollen feet and ankles. We’d rather pass on that aspect.
That’s why today, we’re sharing a guide on how to stop feet from swelling in hot weather. There are lots of things we want to do this summer, so there’s no time for swollen feet. Today, we’re going to talk about why it happens and how to prevent it.
How To Stop Feet Swelling In Hot Weather
We’re here to help you out if you suffer from ankle and foot swelling in the summer months. First, we’ll dive into what causes the swelling in warm weather so that we can better understand what’s going on how to stop it. Then, we’ll get into our tips and tricks for stopping the swell!
Is It Normal For Feet To Swell In Hot Weather?
Yes, it’s totally normal for feet to swell in hot weather. Of course, if it’s happening all the time, you should definitely talk to your doctor. Some swelling is normal, while other swelling can come from health conditions that affect blood circulation, like venous insufficiency or kidney disease. In some cases, swelling especially if it’s sudden, painful, or only in one leg can be a sign of a blood clot, which requires prompt medical attention.
But, in general, it’s actually not surprising at all that feet swell in the heat, as it can be caused by our bodies’ cooling mechanisms. Let’s dive into what that looks like.
What Causes Feet To Swell In Hot Weather
Your body’s cooling mechanism can contribute to foot swelling.
When your body needs to cool off, it naturally expands your blood vessels (aka vasodilation). The reason this works is that the blood vessels then allow more blood to flow closely to the skin, helping the heat transfer out of your body.
This mechanism can cause more fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues. But why does it end up in your feet and ankles?
Gravity also plays a role in the buildup of fluid in your feet and ankles.
Gravity is what pulls the fluid down to your feet and ankles. You’ll find that this is even worse when you’ve spent a long time sitting or standing. In hot weather, the way your body moves fluid back up to your heart slows down. This is when feet tend to swell.
Dehydration can make swelling worse.
Dehydration can alert your body to retain fluid because it’s expecting a period of drought, with little to no water. This will cause more fluid buildup in your tissues.
High sodium intake can also intensify the swelling.
Increased salt levels can cause the body to hold onto more fluid, which will be drawn by gravity towards your feet.
How To Stop Feet From Swelling In Hot Weather
Drink your water!
By now, you’ve gotta know how important it is to stay hydrated. Even though it may seem contradictory, increasing your water intake actually helps reduce fluid retention.
Lauryn is all about upgrading your water so that it boosts your hydration levels even more. You can do this so efficiently with Beauty Salt. It’s a quick scoop of powder to add to your water, and it hydrates you from inside out (with beauty benefits).
Move your body.
Long periods of sitting or standing can be a serious contributor to feet, ankle, and leg swelling. Just think about it like this: when you move, you’re helping your heart pump blood and fluid through your system more efficiently. This can reduce the buildup of fluid occurring at your feet.
Watch your salt intake.
If you’ve been dealing with a lot of swelling, you may need to look at the amount of salt in your diet. The right salt level is different for everyone, and too much can cause your body to retain water, making swelling worse. So, if you’ve been having a lot of salty snacks, try minimizing your salt intake and see if that helps.
Try ice.
Ice helps reduce inflammation and swelling in any situation. Your Ice Roller isn’t just for your face, although we recommend having one that IS just for your feet if you’re going to try it out. And you should. It’ll definitely help reduce swelling.
Elevate your feet.
Let gravity do its thing. It got you into this situation, so it better get you out of it, too. Take a moment, put your feet up (over your heart), and relax. This should help pull the fluid out of your feet and ankle and reduce the swelling.
Be strategic with your time in the heat.
It may be a good idea to spend some time in air conditioned rooms, especially if your feet have already started to swell. But, if you can’t avoid the heat, be strategic about it. Hang out in shaded areas, or try using a fan or ice packs to reduce your body heat.
Try compression socks.
We know, we know, compression socks usually aren’t the hottest of looks. But, sometimes they’re necessary to provide pressure in your veins to move the fluid back up to your heart. Lauryn loved compression wear during pregnancy.
Try dry brushing.
Dry brushing is a great way to reduce overall swelling and get fluid moving through your body. It stimulates the lymph system, which is also responsible for moving fluid throughout your body.
If you haven’t tried dry brushing with the Butter Brush yet, you’ve got to give it a go. It’s such an invigorating experience from head to toe. Plus, it’s super helpful for reducing swelling and stimulating the entire lymphatic system which will help you detoxify.
You shouldn’t have to suffer from swollen feet.
Do your feet swell in warm weather? Tell us all your depuffing tips below.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
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