Aunt Wang is 60 years old this year and has always had the habit of soaking her feet. She always feels that foot soaking is a simple but effective way to maintain health, and insists on soaking her feet for 20 minutes every night before going to bed. Her neighbor, Uncle Li, heard that foot soaking had many benefits and began to follow suit, but he chose to soak his feet in the morning. The two often exchange experiences of foot soaking together, but after a long time, Aunt Wang found that although both of them insisted on soaking their feet, the effect seemed to be different. Aunt Wang felt that her sleep quality had improved after soaking her feet, while Uncle Li said that she was refreshed after soaking her feet and felt very energetic throughout the day.
This makes them wonder if the effect of foot soaking is really different depending on the time period? So, they decided to consult a veteran TCM physician, Dr. Lee, in the hope of solving the mystery.
What is the difference between foot soaking at different time periods?
Soak your feet in the morning: Start your day with energy
Morning foot soaking may be a novelty for many people, but in fact, morning foot soaking helps to wake up the body. When you wake up in the morning, your body is still waking up from sleep, and soaking your feet can promote blood circulation, speed up metabolism, and provide sufficient blood supply to organs and tissues throughout the body. This increase in blood circulation helps the body to get back to work faster.
When soaking your feet in the morning, the water temperature should be kept at about 40 °C, not too high, otherwise it is easy to cause blood pressure fluctuations. The foot soaking time is controlled within 20 minutes to avoid physical fatigue caused by soaking for too long. People who are suitable for soaking their feet in the morning include those who have cold hands and feet in the morning and have low energy, and can improve these problems by soaking their feet and bring a good start to the day.
Afternoon foot soak: Relieves fatigue and promotes digestion
An afternoon foot soak is a great way to relieve the fatigue after noon. After half a day of work or activities, the body will feel a certain tiredness, and then soaking your feet can effectively relieve muscle fatigue and restore energy. In addition, soaking your feet in the afternoon can also promote the function of the digestive system and help digestion and absorption after lunch.
When soaking your feet in the afternoon, the water temperature can be slightly increased to about 42 °C, and you can choose to add some Chinese herbal medicines such as mugwort leaves to the water, which will help to promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis and reduce inflammation and sterilization. The foot soaking time can be slightly longer, controlled within 25 minutes. It is especially suitable for people who are tired from work in the afternoon and feel indigestion, and can rejuvenate their bodies in the afternoon by soaking their feet in the afternoon.
Soak your feet at night: Relieve stress and improve sleep
Evening foot soaking is the time period chosen by most people, mainly because it can effectively relieve the fatigue of the day and help the body and mind relax. After a day of work and activities, the body accumulates more fatigue and stress, and soaking your feet at night can help relieve this fatigue, release stress, relax the muscles of the whole body, and help improve the quality of sleep.
When soaking your feet at night, the water temperature can be slightly higher, keeping it at about 45°C, and the foot soaking time can be appropriately extended to about 30 minutes. During the foot soaking process, you can add some Chinese herbs such as lavender or jasmine that help relax the nerves to further enhance the relaxing effect of foot soaking. People who are suitable for soaking their feet at night include people with high work pressure and poor sleep quality, and by soaking their feet at night, they can effectively improve their sleep quality and ensure a good state the next day.
Soak your feet before bed: relax your nerves and help you sleep
Soaking your feet before bed is a great way to improve your sleep. Soaking your feet before going to bed can relax your nerves and promote blood circulation through warm stimulation, so that all organs of the body can be fully relaxed and restored. Some of the chemicals and hormones released through foot soaking can effectively help people fall asleep and improve sleep quality.
When soaking your feet before going to bed, the water temperature should be kept at about 42 °C, and the foot soaking time should be controlled within 20 minutes, which should not be too long, otherwise it is easy to cause overheating and affect sleep. When soaking your feet, you can add some Chinese herbal medicines such as lavender and chamomile to further enhance the effect of soaking your feet. It is especially suitable for those who have difficulty falling asleep and are prone to nightmares, by soaking their feet before bedtime, it can help them fall into deep sleep faster and improve sleep quality.
Soaking feet at different times has its own unique effect, and soaking feet in the morning can wake up the body and enhance vitality; Soak your feet in the afternoon to relieve fatigue and promote digestion; Soak your feet at night to relieve stress and improve sleep; Soak your feet before going to bed to relax your nerves and help you sleep. Reasonably choose the time period of foot soaking and adjust it according to your own situation, which can maximize the health effect of foot soaking.
The temperature of foot soaking is particular: the scientific basis for the selection of water temperature in different time periods
The temperature of the foot soak has an important impact on the effect. The choice of water temperature for foot soaking should be different in different time periods. In the morning, it is recommended to choose warm water with a temperature of about 38°C. In the morning, the human body has just woken up from sleep, and the blood circulation is relatively slow, so soaking your feet in warm water can gently promote blood circulation and help the body gradually wake up, while avoiding the burden of overheated water on the heart. The foot soaking time in the morning should not be too long, and it is advisable to control it to 15-20 minutes.
In the afternoon, you can choose a slightly higher temperature for foot soaking, about 40°C. In the afternoon, after a morning of activity, the muscles and nervous system may be a little tired. A slightly higher water temperature is more effective at relieving fatigue and relaxing muscles, while also promoting digestion and absorption after lunch. During this time period, you can choose to soak your feet before and after the lunch break, and the time is also controlled to about 20 minutes.
It is recommended to use hot water for foot soak at night, and the temperature is around 42°C. After a busy day, the body and mind need to be completely relaxed, and hot water foot soaking can help relieve tense muscles, promote blood circulation throughout the body, and improve sleep quality. The foot soaking time at night can be slightly longer, controlled to about 30 minutes, but also be careful not to overdo it, so as not to cause fatigue.
Before going to bed, you should choose hot water for foot soaking, and the temperature is also about 42 °C, but the time is controlled within 20 minutes. Hot water relaxes the nervous system and helps you fall asleep quickly. For a foot soak before bed, some calming herbs such as lavender or jasmine can be added to the water to help improve the relaxation effect.
The foot soak time should not be too long: grasp the golden hour
Controlling the time of foot soaking is crucial. It is recommended to soak your feet for 15-20 minutes in the morning, which can awaken various body functions under the action of gentle stimulation and avoid fatigue caused by too long time. The foot soaking time in the afternoon is controlled to about 20 minutes, which can effectively relieve the fatigue in the morning, and will not make the body feel overly relaxed and affect the work efficiency in the afternoon.
Soaking your feet in the evening can be a little longer, 30 minutes is appropriate, such a length of time can fully relieve the fatigue of the day, promote the whole body relaxation and blood circulation. However, it is also necessary to pay attention not to be too long, so as to avoid soaking the feet for too long and causing excessive blood circulation to concentrate in the lower limbs, resulting in an increased burden on the heart. Soak your feet within 20 minutes before going to bed, which can not only relax your body and help you fall asleep, but also avoid discomfort caused by too long a time.
Foot soaking taboos: Although foot soaking is good, it also needs to be different from person to person
Although there are many benefits of foot soaking, it is not suitable for everyone, and you need to choose according to your own situation. Patients with abnormal glucose metabolism should pay special attention to the water temperature and should not overheat it to avoid causing foot burns. At the same time, the foot soaking time should not be too long, so as not to cause excessive burden on the blood circulation of the lower limbs. Patients with cardiovascular diseases need to be more cautious, and should choose warm water when soaking their feet, and the water temperature should be controlled between 37-39 °C, and the time should not exceed 15 minutes, so as to avoid the increase of heart burden due to accelerated blood circulation.
In addition, keep your feet clean when soaking your feet to avoid infection. For patients with skin diseases such as tinea pedis, it is necessary to carefully choose the method of foot soaking, and it is best to do it under the guidance of a doctor. During the foot soaking process, if you have dizziness, palpitation and other uncomfortable symptoms, you should stop immediately and seek medical examination.
Reasonable foot soaking: healthy enjoyment under scientific guidance
Proper foot soaking can not only promote health, but also effectively relieve daily fatigue. Choosing the right foot soaking time and water temperature, and adjusting it according to your personal physique, is the key to ensuring the effect of foot soaking. Soaking your feet in the morning, afternoon, evening and before going to bed can maximize the health benefits of foot soaking. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to the taboos of foot soaking, and according to your own health status, you can truly enjoy the health benefits of foot soaking.