Many New Year’s Resolutions involve things you’d like to achieve in the year that’s just beginning. Whether you want to take classes, travel to new places, or get in shape, there’s a common element you might not be considering — the health and strength of your feet.
You need healthy, uninjured feet to achieve all of these other goals. So, shouldn’t your first New Year’s Resolution for 2026 be to strengthen and protect your feet? Expert podiatrist Dr. Leonard Greenwald, in San Jose, California, recommends you consider these five ways to protect your feet.
Did you know that your ankles are one of the easiest areas of your body to injure? You put a foot down wrong, and you lose your footing. Your ankle can roll to the side, stretching, straining, or even tearing the ligaments that hold the joint securely together. After an ankle injury, you have a higher risk of reinjury.
To protect your ankles in 2026, talk to Dr. Greenwald about whether you could benefit from targeted physical therapy or custom orthotic supports. Maintaining strong, healthy, flexible ankles safeguards your mobility and independence for years to come.
An ankle sprain is an acute injury that can affect your feet. However, many other types of foot injuries are chronic, due to inadequate support or poor positioning. Foot issues like bunions and hammertoes are chronic injuries that develop and worsen over time.
Chronic foot injuries often relate to underlying problems with your footwear. If your shoes shift your weight too far forward, your toes and the front of your feet encounter regular, abnormal stress. Shoes that don’t give you enough room to move your toes can also cause problems.
Discuss your footwear habits with Dr. Greenwald and find ways to better support your feet this coming year. Whether that’s taking a break from high heels, finding athletic shoes with better arch or ankle support, or integrating custom orthotics, your feet will thank you!
Staying active is essential to a healthy body. Being overweight or obese adds pressure on your foot and ankle joints, so it’s good to maintain a moderate body weight through diet and exercise.
However, some types of athletic activity can be hard on your feet and ankles. That doesn’t mean you should necessarily avoid high-impact activities like running, but it’s good to stay thoughtful about the balance between strengthening your body and overstressing it.
Your sport, training regimen, the terrain you encounter, and the equipment you use all contribute to reducing your risk of sports injuries.
This strategy for protecting your feet may not be as obvious as finding the right shoes, but it can make a huge difference over the course of your lifetime. High blood sugar levels due to a condition like prediabetes or diabetes can cause serious problems for your lower body extremities, including your feet.
To avoid the need for more intensive diabetic foot care down the road, stay aware of your blood sugar levels and make necessary lifestyle changes to maintain a good range.
Your toenails can carry fungal infections and may even split without proper care. To finish off your New Year’s Resolutions to better protect your feet, why not treat your toenails right?
Trim your nails regularly, cutting straight across to reduce your risk of an ingrown toenail, and get signs of toenail fungus checked right away before the problem worsens.
Dr. Greenwald is ready to support new and existing patients with their podiatry care resolutions. To schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Greenwald online or over the phone today.
