National Wiggle Your Toes Day: Why You Should Do It Often

It's National Wiggle Your Toes Day. This day reminds us to give our feet some attention by letting the tootsies see daylight, after being wrapped up in socks for months.

While many love to observe the day either by walking barefoot through the beach or ditching shoes for sandals, there is more about Wiggle Your Toes Day than just 'fun.' For, toes are indicators of our overall health, and we stand to gain a lot from just wiggling our toes. So, here are some reasons why you should wiggle your toe more.

1) Flexibility and mobility: Studies say holding toes in one position too long can tighten the muscles, restricting them from going back to their normal length. Also, irregular toe spacing can lead to fungus formation in the toes.

2) Toenails are indicators: Feet and toenails can say a lot about underlying health conditions. While a thickened yellow toenail indicates a fungal infection, many diseases like Raynaud's Disease can be identified by the discoloration of toes. Symptoms like clubbed toes also indicate underlying causes. One of the rare symptoms caused by lung cancer is experiencing numbness or pins and needles in your toes or fingers

3) Improve circulation: Wiggling toes can improve blood circulation in the feet. Interruption of circulation can result in conditions like toe twitching.

Toe exercises

Now that we know the benefits of toe exercises, here are some ways to do them.

1) Flex and point your toes for several repetitions a few times a day.

2) Sit in a chair with a towel on the floor below your feet. Now exert your toes and bring the towel up towards you.

3) Keep your feet flat on the floor. Now, try to lift your toes and bring them all to the same height. Hold them for five seconds and bring them down. Repeat.

4) Raise your heel and curl your toes under. Ensure the tips of your toes are on the floor. Repeat.