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Did you know that Blue Monday is actually the same day as National Hug Day? So, there is definitely a way to turn around this Blue Monday lark into positivity. Research shows hugging can relieve stress and keeping warm can keep you well, which is especially good during this winter season.

3 health benefits of hugging:

• Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which can heal feelings of loneliness.
• Hugging can lift one’s serotonin levels which can elevate a mood and create happiness.
• Hugging relaxes muscles to relieve aches and pains.

3 warm Cosyfeet slippers that hug your feet:

• Elise – Enjoy the comfy cushioned footbed

This soft, adjustable bootee keeps ankles and feet cosy while the secure, touch-fastening strap adjusts to fit swelling. Colour shown: Wine Floral

• Anna – Enjoy the wonders of wool

Luxurious 100% pure wool slipper with genuine sheepskin lining. Touch- fastening strap adjusts to fit swollen feet & ankles. Colour shown: Pebble

• Dreamy – Enjoy cocooning your feet in warmth

Stay warm in our snuggly, warm-lined bootee, designed to warm and insulate, ensuring feet and ankles stay cosy. Colour shown: Loganberry

Find out more about our Extra-Roomy Slippers range.

Our lovely Cosyfeet fitting expert and shop manager, Liz is featured in the new issue of My Weekly Magazine advising a bunion sufferer to try our Markle boot... 

National Storytelling Week (26^th January - 2^nd February) is an extravaganza of storytelling which takes place in schools, churches, pubs, museums and theatres around the country.

The week is run by the Society for Storytelling which was set up to promote one of the oldest art forms in the world. Storytelling is an age-old form of human communication: a way to tell others of our experiences, dreams, ideas and feelings, whether through the spoken word or in writing. 

Performance storytelling can be a powerful experience, both entertaining and moving. Story is also the traditional medium of communication from generation to generation, a tool for education and therapy. National Storytelling Week was conceived to increase public awareness of the art, practice and value of oral storytelling.

To find out more, visit sfs.org.uk. 

Click here to enter our competition to win a National Book Token worth £50.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions we make is to get fitter and healthier. We’ve got some simple suggestions to help you stay in tip top condition this year.

1. Try to get enough sleep

According to recent research, a lie-in could actually do your body some good.

In an experiment at Surrey University, researchers discovered that when volunteers cut back from seven-and-a-half to six-and-a-half hours' sleep a night, genes that are associated with processes like inflammation, immune response and response to stress became more active.

The team also saw increases in the activity of genes associated with diabetes and risk of cancer. The reverse happened when the volunteers added an hour of sleep.

2. Keep your feet warm

Have you ever been told that you need to keep warm or you’ll catch a cold? And did you just dismiss it as an old wives’ tale?

It’s been said time and time again that you can’t catch a cold by getting cold because they’re caused by viruses but maybe that isn’t the whole truth and there is some fact within the folklore.

According to a study back in 2005, having cold feet can undermine your natural defenses to colds and flu. Getting cold can lower the white blood cells of your immune system thereby opening the door to viruses. The study proved that people are almost 30% more likely to come down with flu when their feet are cold for just 20 minutes during flu season.

See our collection of warm socks.

3. Get walking

According to a recent report, tens of thousands of lives could be saved each year in the UK if people simply walked more.

The Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support concluded in their “Walking Works" report that walking could transform people's health by decreasing the odds of heart problems and stroke as well as making a difference in conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and many cancers.

If you don't walk already and want to find out how to get started, you’ll find lots of tips and advice on the ‘Walking for Health’ website at walkingforhealth.org.uk

See our collection of walking products.

To tie in with National Storytelling Week (26^th January - 2^nd February), we’re offering you the chance to win a National Book Token worth £50. To enter, simply tell us your favourite positive winter memory in 100 words or less via the form below. The entry that we like most will win the prize. We will also feature your memory in our February newsletter. Terms and conditions apply.* Good luck!

Click here to find out more about National Storytelling Week.

*Terms and Conditions
To be in with the chance of winning a National Book Token worth £50, tell us about your favourite memory via the form above by 11.59pm on Saturday 2nd February 2019. Our favourite entry will win the prize. One prize available. Prize will be sent as an e-Gift Card via email. One entry per person. The winner will be contacted by email. Prize cannot be exchanged for a cash alternative. Prize can only be sent to a UK address. We reserve the right to withdraw this competition at any time.

Feet are prone to taking their fair share of punishment through walking and wearing tight-fitting shoes, so naturally, they can suffer from pain and other issues.

There are lots of different causes and treatments, so, if you suffer from foot pain or want greater comfort, this easy-to-follow guide we’ve created will help you to find out what the problem is while also informing you about what might help.

What are the different foot pain problems and treatments?

Poor footwear, diabetes, and ageing are some of the chief contributors to foot problems as Mark S. Davies, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the London Foot and Ankle Centre, tells us.

“In the foot, any inflammatory or degenerative process affecting joints or tendons can be the source of a great deal of pain and the commonest afflictions are those of arthritis and tendonitis. Pain can also arise from inflamed nerves and Morton’s neuroma, which is a compression of the nerve between the third and fourth toes, can be particularly troublesome. Toenails can also be a significant source of misery.”

Here we’ve listed some common issues people suffer from and what causes them.

Bunions

Causes: Wearing tight or narrow shoes can cause bunions to form as they put pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), which is the joint between the bone of the foot and big toe.

Bunions (known medically as hallux valgus) are a bony deformity that sees a bump form on the large toe joint and this can cause it to turn slightly inward. As well as the formation of the bump you may notice pain and swelling over your big toe joint, hard and sore skin and changes to the shape of your foot.

Mark S. Davies from the London Foot and Ankle Centre tells us a bit more about the condition.

“There are many causes of foot pain. One of the most common foot problems we encounter is as a result of bunions. This is a deformity of the big toe exacerbated by tight shoes. Having said this any deformity if pronounced can be a source of pain and this includes, in particular, the lesser toes.”

Potential treatments for bunions

There are a number of treatments available for bunions and non-surgical treatments are usually tried first.

Our comfortable wide fitting shoes offer extra wide, deep and roomy footwear so that people suffering from bunions do not have to go through the pain of putting on shoes when going out.

Here at Cosyfeet we also have a variety of bunion relief accessories to help you or a loved one enjoy some respite from the pain that it can cause. These include gel bunion covers, gel bunion and metatarsal pads and gel bunion relief sleeves.

For severe cases, surgery can be considered, and the type of surgery will depend on the level of deformity, age, and the severity of the symptoms.

Athlete's foot

Causes: The fungus thrives in warm, damp areas like showers, pools and gyms. Can be caught walking in these areas barefooted or wearing shoes that are warm and damp.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin and is often found between the toes, although the infection can spread and cause discomfort, itching, blistering, cracking and pain to other parts of the foot.

Potential treatments for athlete's foot

Antifungal treatments such as sprays, powders and lotions can be applied to your feet and are available in pharmacists.

Petra Kravos, the founder & editor of Be Healthy Now, says feet issues like athlete's foot are common, but that there are lots of treatments available.

“Feet issues are very common today although people don't like to talk about them as they are an embarrassing problem. Bunions, fungal infections, cracked heels and ingrown nails are all issues many people face.

“Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly - that's very important as any wetness becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

“If, despite your best efforts, you still get feet issues and even pain, the treatment will depend on the type of issue you are facing. For example, for recurring fungal infections and Athlete’s foot use anti-bacterial essential oils such as tea tree and oregano oil. Use them twice a day but dilute them with olive oil before applying directly onto the skin or toe.

“For painful, cracked skin, a moisturising shea butter could do the trick but make sure you exfoliate and file the dry skin first. Raw honey and calendula cream are also great for skin healing.

“It's really important you take care of your feet and keep them healthy, otherwise this could have a negative impact on your health as you would be less active when you suffer from feet issues and pains.”

Ingrown toenails

Causes: Wearing poor-fitting shoes, not trimming your toenails properly or having a history of ingrown toenails are all the main causes of this condition.

An ingrown toenail is a very common issue and is where the nail grows into your toe, causing quite a bit of pain and discomfort.

You can get an ingrown toenail on any toe, but usually, it affects your big toe. Ingrown toenails can become infected and tell-tale signs of this include pus coming out of it and feeling hot and shivery.

Potential treatments for ingrowing toenails

Petra advises, “Cut your toenails properly to avoid ingrown nails - that means cutting straight across and not cutting on a curve.”

Check out our selection of nail care products that will help you to manage your nails. Our professional nail clippers and nail file can help ensure your nails are kept in a good condition and our gel toe caps can help people who are suffering from an ingrown toenail.

Other treatments you can try at home to help ease the pain include soaking your foot in warm water three or four times a day and wearing wide fitting shoes or sandals.

Corns and blisters

Causes (blisters): Often appear after walking and running, especially if the feet have become sweaty and you are wearing shoes that are tight.

Causes (corns):  Can be caused by bunions, hammer toe, or ill-fitting shoes.

Blisters are some of the most common problems that occur with feet and the majority of people will suffer from them during their life. Blisters are essentially fluid-filled pockets and are not a serious concern, but it is best not to burst them and to let them heal on their own.

Corns are patches of thickened skin that usually appear on the bottom of your feet or toes and form to protect the skin to stop blisters developing. While corns are painless, to begin with, they can become painful over time and will need to be treated.

Potential treatments for corns and blisters

For corns and blisters, there are lots of products that can help you such as the gel toe pads and gel looped toe separators, which both create a spongy cushion protecting your corns and blisters.

For blisters that have popped it is advised that you wash the area with warm, soapy water and to apply an antibiotic ointment to the area.

Corns and calluses are best treated by using thick cushioned socks over thin ones (read our helpful guide about choosing socks here), wearing women’s or men’s wider fit shoes and moisturise your feet to help keep your skin soft.

Peripheral neuropathy

Causes: High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy and is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. It most often damages nerves in your legs and feet, followed by the hands and arms. Some of the symptoms range from pain and numbness, tingling, sharp pains or cramps, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes.

Potential treatments for Peripheral neuropathy

Medical professionals say that maintaining a good, healthy lifestyle and keeping your blood sugar level under control can help you treat your diabetic neuropathy.

A person with diabetes should go for regular foot examinations and have their toenails professionally trimmed. If there are any foot wounds, then you should seek medical attention.

Common foot pain problems

Common foot pain problems that people suffer from are:

• Bunions
• Athlete's foot
• Ingrown toenails
• Corns and blisters
• Peripheral neuropathy

Other foot treatment options

Whilst we have touched upon the different foot treatments that are available to you for specific issues, The London Foot and Ankle Centre’s Mark S. Davies has provided further general foot-care tips:

“They can modify their footwear with appropriate shoes and/or inner soles and often physiotherapy can be very helpful in settling many foot conditions, particularly following injury or surgery. Although many of the exercises that can be performed are readily available on YouTube, one-to-one physiotherapy is the preferred route after having had an established diagnosis made.

“Feet are often under-rated and only truly appreciated when they start to malfunction. Looking after your feet is of paramount importance for maintaining independence throughout life and good quality footwear is a simple way of maintaining a functioning foot. If a patient has significant foot pain, he or she should seek appropriate advice from a medical practitioner, such as a foot and ankle surgeon, to advise on their options.”

If you are suffering from foot pain problems, then take a look at the footwear from Cosyfeet as we boast styles that have extra roomy fitting for women and men.

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, one thing that doesn’t often spring to mind is your feet. But after a long old year, your feet deserve some much-needed tender loving care. So, as well as vowing to watch less television or keep on top of the dishes this New Year, make sure you put the comfort and wellbeing of your feet on your list of resolutions too.

To help, we’ve put together a few ways that you can start giving your feet the treatment they deserve in 2019.

Pamper and Moisturise

Who doesn’t love to feel pampered now and again? And our feet are not to be missed when it comes to soaking our troubles away.

BeautyMommy blogger Nada has several tips for getting baby-soft feet overnight, the first being to exfoliate using a shop-bought or homemade scrub. “Most of us have dry and cracked feet because we don’t take care of them,” says Nada. “Dead skin can cause our feet to become dry and patchy, but regular exfoliation will get rid of the dead skin and result in softer and smoother feet.”

After soaking your feet for 10 minutes in your bathtub or foot spa, Nada says to “apply and massage a small amount of scrub to your feet, giving more attention to areas like the balls of the feet and the heels, then leave the scrub on for a few minutes before rinsing off with warm water.”

Sarah Waite, nail technician and blogger from Chalkboard Nails told us how as well as exfoliating, moisturising is also the key to maintaining silky-smooth feet: “Everyone wants nice looking hands, but your feet need some tender loving care too! The easiest thing you can do to improve the look and feel of your feet is to moisturise them. Just before bed, apply a moisturising lotion or body butter, and then pull on a pair of socks. You'll wake up with noticeably softer feet.”

Need some moisturiser recommendations? Check out our range of foot creams and lotions that your feet will thank you for, or why not try our moisturising socks.

Treat Yourself to a Pedicure

Pedicures are like an MOT for your feet, nail polish is optional! After a year of taking you to near and far places, the ultimate treat for your feet is to book in for a massage and pedicure with a professional. Relax and unwind as your therapist soaks your feet, trims and buffs your toenails before finishing up by massaging a soothing moisturiser into your feet.

To maintain your soft and renewed feet, Sarah recommends investing in a foot file. “If you're ready to take your home footcare up a notch, invest in a foot file, but avoid ones that have a blade or look like a cheese grater. Keep the foot file in your shower, and at the end of your shower, when your skin has been softened by the heat and the water, use it to exfoliate your heels and any rough skin you may have.”

Buy a New Comfortable Pair of Shoes

Shoe pictured: Megan

With the new year comes new ethics, and ‘out with the old, and in with the new’ springs to mind when it comes to footwear! It’s time to put aside that old, worn pair of shoes you’re attached to because they are ‘comfortable’. The new year is about starting afresh, so now’s the time to invest in a new pair that are comfortable, but also look the part, complement your wardrobe and will have you feeling like a new person.

Comfortable doesn’t have to mean basic - there are plenty of shoes out there that are both attractive, fashionable and comfortable. We offer an all-inclusive range of wider fit shoes that are extra roomy, comfy and suitable for a range of occasions in an array of styles. So, if a lack of comfort is what’s stopping you from buying yourself a new pair of shoes, we’ve got you covered.

Start Doing Foot Exercises and Stretches

A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions to exercise more, but let’s not forget about exercising our feet! Doing some foot exercises and stretching out our lower muscles from time-to-time is a great way to encourage good blood flow and can help alleviate any pains and discomfort. But there’s more to it than just flexing your toes.

Great Western Hospitals recommends some easy exercises for strengthening and stretching your feet that you can do in the comfort of your own home. See below two exercises to get you started.

Heel Raise

• Stand with your feet wide apart and knees bent
• Put your hands on your knees or on your waist
• Lift one heel off the floor
• Put it down again
• Repeat 10 times with each foot

Ankle Pull

• Sit on a chair
• Cross one ankle over the other knee
• Place your hand on the top of your foot and stretch your ankle by gently pulling your toes down
• Hold for 20 seconds
• Feel the stretch in your shin
• Repeat 3 times with both feet

Great Western Hospital recommends completing their list of exercises a minimum three times a week to strengthen your muscles and improve overall foot comfort.

Don’t Ignore Foot Problems

Medical professionals can sometimes describe our feet as ‘windows’ as they can often indicate a health problem elsewhere in the body. It’s for this important reason that your final New Year’s resolution for your feet should be that you get any unusual foot problems checked out by a GP as soon as possible, as it could be an indication of something bigger.

Podiatrist Jake Heath from Kenton Heath Clinic told the Mirror: “We neglect our feet and put up with signs and symptoms that, in any other part of the body, would have us running to medical professionals,” and it’s very true – how many of us have had a foot issue that we’ve ignored and waited to see if it would ‘go away on its own’?

Jake says that some common symptoms to be aware of include: a swollen toe, which could indicate gout; your nails turning club-shaped, which could point to a lung condition; sore toe joints, which could signal rheumatoid arthritis as well as ulcers and numbness which could be a sign of diabetes.

The list of symptoms to be aware of is endless, but Jake’s biggest advice is to not take a chance if you notice any changes in your feet “Speaking to your GP or podiatrist about changes in colour, or shape of nails is a good idea,” says Jake, as an early diagnosis can be key to preventing any long-term damage, as well as identifying any underlying health conditions.

From treating your feet with new, roomy footwear to buying yourself a soothing foot cream, we stock a range of feel-good foot products on our website that are sure to kick-start your new year in the right direction.

Ramblers are a British charity that was set up back in 1935. They are working to protect and expand the places people love to walk and promote walking for health and pleasure. To do this they created The Festival of Winter Walks which is an annual celebration of walking over the Christmas and New Year period. It is a great way to discover the pleasures of walking and meet new people.

This year hundreds of walks organised by Ramblers will be taking place all over the country, between 21^st December 2018 and Sunday 6^th of January 2019. All walks are free and open to all abilities.

5 ways walking can benefit your health:

• Walking regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight
• Walking can strengthen your bones and muscles
• Want to improve your mood? Walk!
• Walking has been known to help improve balance and coordination
• Getting out and about for a walk can help to boost immune function which could protect you from the common cold and flu that pass around during winter

We sell a variety of men’s and women’s durable boots fit for outdoor walks this winter.

The Moose High-Performance boot for women is designed for challenging conditions. Tackle rain, mud, ice and snow in this strong and flexible waterproof boot.

The women’s Minnie will keep feet protected, warm and dry. The cleated sole has good grip and is shock-absorbing for extra comfort.

The men’s Livingstone boot is 100% waterproof and specially designed for those with swollen feet. The water-repellent leather combined with our CosyTex™ membrane will keep feet fresh, warm and dry during a walk.

Stanley is a comfy and practical walking shoe for men. It is roomier than it looks due to its ‘hidden depth’ design.  Windproof, breathable and waterproof.

Now all you need to do is go and embrace the outdoors!

View our full range of men's and women's walking footwear.

To take advantage of this offer, simply add any item/s worth £50 or more to your basket and enter the offer code CFLPFP when prompted. Free delivery (UK standard) will be automatically applied to the order. Take advantage of this fantastic offer today. Offer ends at 11.59pm on Monday 17th December 2018. Terms and conditions apply.*

This offer is available for a limited time only. Offer ends at 11.59pm on Monday 17th December 2018. Terms and conditions apply.*

Shop now.

*Terms and Conditions
To redeem our free delivery offer (UK standard) on all orders of £50 or more, simply add any item/s worth £50 or more to your basket and enter the code CFLPFP when prompted. Free delivery (UK standard) will be automatically applied to the order. This offer expires at 11.59pm on Monday 17th December 2018. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer available on in-stock items only and/or if all items are in stock. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

Whether snuggling by the fire munching mince pies or entertaining guests with a dinner party or a dance is your cup of tea this Christmas time - we’ve got some fabulous products to help everyone enjoy this festive season, in comfort!

Gift idea for those with poor circulation: REVITIVE Medic

The REVITIVE Medic is scientifically proven to increase circulation. Using electrical muscle stimulation, this powerful and effective circulation booster may actively improve circulation. Developed and tested by researchers at leading UK universities, it has been known to reduce pain, swelling and other symptoms of poor circulation. Shop now.

Gift idea for those who have sore or sensitive toes: Snoozy Slipper

The Snoozy slipper is a cosy, warm-lined slip-on with a versatile design. With ultra-soft, fleecy-lined cosiness. Thanks to its clever design, you only have to simply fold the collar up or down at the front or back to create four different ways to enjoy snuggly softness. The seam-free toe area is ideal for sore or sensitive toes. Shop now.

Gift idea for those with swollen feet: Extra Roomy Super-soft Bed Socks

Keep swollen feet and legs warm at night with these Extra Roomy Super-soft Bed Socks. The brushed yarn is luxuriously soft while the loose top around the ankle offers extra comfort. Especially good to warm up swollen feet in bed. Shop now.

Gift idea for those who like to get out and about: Folding Cane with Carry Bag

An attractive, adjustable lightweight and easy to use cane that you can carry in your handbag. It folds up easily and comes with a quilted carry case. Buy in two pretty designs, Black Floral or Navy Sprigged Floral. Shop now.

Gift idea for those who like to relax: Rose Bath Oil

Soak away the stresses of the day with this beautifully-scented oil. The uplifting aroma is calming and soothing while the blend of essential oils and flower essences help hydrate and nourish the skin, leaving it radiant and silky smooth. Relax and unwind with rose bath oil after a long day. Shop now.

Gift idea for those who love a party: Koryl Shoe

A flatteringly, feminine extra roomy shoe that looks great for festive occasions. The beautiful fabrics, combined with an adjustable leather-look strap and button detail, bring a touch of glamour to any outfit. Shop now.

View our full Cosyfeet Christmas collection here.

On social media throughout December we are counting down to Christmas Day with our Cosy Advent Calendar, suggesting great gift ideas each day.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to see more.