10 New Foot Health Resolutions for 2026
We at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group have already covered the basics, like tossing out those ratty sneakers and trimming your toenails correctly. But if you really want to treat your feet like the high-performance machines they are, we need to go deeper. Your feet and ankles contain 25% of the bones in your entire body, so if you want a 2026 that isn’t defined by “ouch” and “ugh,” here are 10 high-impact resolutions to add to your list.
1. Eat Healthier
You are what you eat, especially your feet. From diabetes to heart health, your feet feel better when your organs and circulatory system are getting the nutrition they need.
2. Moisturize Your Heels Before Bed
Winter air is a moisture thief, and dry skin is more than just hard to look at. Deep cracks in the heel can bleed and become infected, which is all the more reason to take better care of your feet after the shower this year.
3. Take Shoe-lacing Seriously
If you have high arches or wide feet, the standard crisscross lacing can create painful pressure points on the top of your foot. Try to learn a lacing style that fits your foot shape to prevent nerve irritation (and tripping).
4. Stop Ignoring Pain
This year, stop trying to avoid the pain. For instance, if you feel a sharp, stabbing pain, especially one that lingers for more than three days, your body is trying to tell you something is broken or torn.
5. Lighten the Load for Joint Longevity
Every pound you shed is a gift to your cartilage that significantly reduces your risk of developing debilitating arthritis later in life.
6. Rotate Your Daily Footwear
Rotating shoes extends the life of your footwear and keeps your feet from getting fatigued, injured, or inflamed.
7. Start Doing Tennis Ball Massages at Work
Keep a tennis or lacrosse ball under your desk and roll the arch of your foot over it for five minutes while you work. It’s like a cheap, daily physical therapy session that keeps the plantar fascia from tightening up.
8. Upgrade Your Shoe Inserts
If you love your current shoes but they’re starting to feel a bit thin, swap your factory insoles or store-bought inserts for high-quality custom orthotics.
9. Listen for a Click
If your ankle or toe joint starts clicking or popping consistently, monitor it. If it’s accompanied by swelling, it might be your joint’s way of saying it’s out of alignment.
10. Schedule a Podiatry Check
Get a baseline foot exam this year! A podiatrist can spot biomechanical issues like hidden, subtle gait abnormalities before they turn into chronic pain or permanent joint damage.
If you’re worried about your foot pain, come see the expert team at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.
