Part of maintaining healthy nerves is keeping those nerves moving. Here are three simple exercises designed to improve your leg and foot health and even help improve balance.
1. The Clock – Foot & Balance Exercise
Imagine you are standing in the middle of a large clock. Keeping the left foot in place (without pivoting), extend your right leg and touch as many of the numbers as possible with the right foot, starting at twelve and working your way clockwise around the clock. Switch feet and repeat.
2. Sock Lift – Toe Grip & Balance Exercise
While sitting in a chair, place a sock on the floor. With your bare feet, use your toes to pick up the sock and hold it up for five seconds, and then release it. Repeat six times with each foot.
For a greater challenge, attempt the exercise while standing. Balance on one foot while lifting the sock with the other foot. As you get more comfortable with the exercise, increase the amount of time you hold the sock in the air with your foot.
3. Calf Extension- Stretching Exercise
Sitting on the floor with one leg extended out in front of you, take a rolled up towel and wrap it around the ball of your foot. With a hand on either end of the towel, pull the towel towards your body while pushing your foot outwards until you feel a stretch in the arch of your foot and in the calf. Hold for 10-12 seconds. Repeat six times with each leg.
Remember to check your feet for sores or blisters after exercise and to wash feet thoroughly in order to prevent infection.
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