Since I mostly paint at an easel while standing on a hardwood floor, my feet can be very “owie” by the end of the day …
In my late 30’s I started to feel like an old lady hobbling around in the morning and I wondered what was going on. I figured it was just an occupational hazard of being an artist, but when it started to get really bad, I found out that I have plantar fasciitis. Very painful for sure. I tried quite a few things including padded rubber mats to stand on, exercises to stretch and strenghthen the tendons in my feet, and squishy shoes. But there have been only been 2 things that have made a world of difference.
My first beloved friend is my funky painting shoes above. I stared wearing Dansko shoes– like nurses in hospitals. They took quite a while to get used to- many “owies” for a few weeks, but then my feet seemed to settle in and now my feet almost sigh happily when I put them on. Now I have a bunch of them that I wear while running around, but these stay in my studio for 2 reasons. One, they keep down tracking dust from my studio to the rest of my house. When I leave my studio, I kick them off. (although I have been known to take them to workshops) And secondly, they act as my “art catalyst”—When the shoes go on, I am in full painting mode. I don’t answer the phone, (unless it is a sick child at school) I don’t have the computer on, and I try not to think about laundry or anything else. I am in “go-go painting mode”. It truly helps to get me out of “mommy mode”. And they save my feet.
The second thing that has helped my feet (and this one will sound a bit crazy) is Lemongrass essential oil.
Yup. Kills the pain immediately and if I use it at night on my feet I have no pain the next day. Victory! If you try this, be sure to use only therapeutic-grade essential oil. I use and highly recommend Young Living essential oils since they are the purest distillation you can get.
If you buy the crap in a grocery store, don’t be surprised when it doesn’t work. For some reason, lemongrass is very effective in helping with tendon pain and inflammation, which is what causes the pain in my feet. Essential oils have greatly affected my family for the better over the past few years, but I am not going to go into that here. If you have questions, let me know. Just know that pure Lemongrass is a true friend!
And happy feet means a happy artist!
Lemongrass is good for so many things! Didn’t know about this. Does it discolor your feet? I put it on my big toe to help lower cholesterol! Love your painted painting shoes!!
thanks! no-I don’t notice any discoloration, good quality oils will completely sink into the skin with no residue. Cholesterol? wow! that’s awesome! I am always learning new things when it come to the oils. I know Thyme on the big toe will help with snoring and headaches.
Great advice, Christine! Thank you! I use lavender essential oil for immediate injuries. I had a very bad burn (from grabbing a hot screen out of the oven by mistake) and the lavender took away the ain and healed the huge blister without breaking it. And it healed MUCH faster with the oil too. I suffer the owies in my feet too so I’m definitely going to get some lemongrass essential oil. Again, thanks!
sure! glad to help! Yes, lavender is awesome. I use it every night for sleep. Cedarwood is great for that too- knocks me out.
Thanks
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My mother sent me this very bottle years ago. My kids were little and one day my 5 yr old daughter came to me with itchy bumps that I assumed were bug bites. (Later I realized the were chicken pox, a mild infection after the immunization.) I put lemongrass oil on them and she went out to play. She came running in later saying that bees were trying to get her. Later I put some of the oil on a bit of toilet paper, dropped it in a glass jar covered in plastic wrap poked with bee sized holes. Sure enough! Within 10 minutes there were about 10 bees in and around the jar. I have always been nervous to use it after that. Probably not a story you wanted to hear but it might be useful info for someone allergic to bee stings.
Also, I really enjoy your blog. It’s the only one I actually follow.
HI! Thanks Erica- If I remember, you have 5 children? I hope you are painting….I did not know that about the bees, but if you put lavender and peppermint on the kids, the bees will stay away. Spiders too. Spiders hate peppermint and so I spray the outside of my house, storage rooms and patio furniture with a few drops in a bottle of water and no more spider webs! It lasts through the rain too.
Make mine Merrell. I have a wardrobe of clogs, my shoe of choice for decades. The arch is a perfect fit and they give me good balance. Dansko also makes cute strappy sandals. Interesting tip on the lemongrass. Thanks for another entertaining and informative post!
Sure! I like Merrells too- I need the higher arch of the Danskos though. I have a few of their sandals now. yes, cute!
Nice to know, Christine. Thanks bunches.
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Again, really helpful . Thank you
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So good to know. I have the same issue and yes very painful. I must try the lemongrass
Thanks heaps.
Gayle
Young Living or DoTerra make the best- most other brands don’t have the quality or cut it with fillers. it does help…
Thanks for the tip Christine….
Could have used it many times.
Always enjoy you writings!!
Thanks!!! 🙂