New Year, New Feet: 5 Resolutions for Healthier Feet in 2026

The new year brings fresh motivation to improve your health, but most resolutions focus on diet, exercise, or sleep while completely overlooking your feet. Your feet carry you through every day, yet they’re often the last part of your body to get attention – at least until something goes wrong.

At Cascade Foot & Ankle Center in Provo and Nephi, Utah, board-certified podiatric surgeon and wound care specialist Jared Clegg, DPM, FACFAS, and our team want to help you start 2026 with a foundation that supports every other health goal you set.

Here are five achievable resolutions that will keep your feet healthy all year long:

1. Inspect your feet daily

Most foot problems start small and grow into serious complications when ignored. A quick daily inspection catches issues while they’re still easy to fix.

Check for these warning signs:

• Cuts, blisters, or sores that won’t heal
• Changes in skin color or temperature
• Unusual swelling or pain
• Cracked or peeling skin
• Discolored or thickened toenails
• New bumps, lumps, or growths

People with diabetes or circulation problems need to be especially vigilant. What seems like a minor blister can quickly turn into an infection that requires medical intervention.

Make inspection part of your routine by checking your feet right after your shower or before bed. Use a mirror to see the bottoms of your feet if bending is difficult.

2. Replace worn-out shoes

Shoes break down gradually, so you might not notice when they stop providing proper support. Walking in worn-out shoes strains your feet, ankles, and knees with every step.

Running shoes lose cushioning after about 300-500 miles. How long other shoes last depends on how often you wear them and what activities you use them for.

Signs your shoes need to go:

• Worn tread patterns on the soles
• Compression or flattening in the midsole
• Upper material separating from the sole
• Uneven wear patterns on the bottom
• Lost arch support or cushioning
• The heel counter is softening or breaking down

Keeping your old shoes as backup pairs seems practical, but wearing shoes past their useful life undermines your foot health. Invest in new shoes before the old ones fail.

3. Stretch and strengthen your feet regularly

Your feet contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles and tendons that need regular movement to stay healthy. Most people never exercise their feet directly, which can lead to weakness, stiffness, and pain over time.

Simple exercises performed a few times per week can help prevent common problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and general foot fatigue.

Try these moves:

• Toe curls with a towel on the floor
• Calf stretches against a wall
• Ankle rotations in both directions
• Picking up marbles with your toes
• Rolling your foot over a tennis ball

Start with 5-10 minutes three times per week. You can do these exercises while watching TV or during breaks at work. Consistency matters more than duration.

4. Schedule a professional foot exam

Many foot conditions develop slowly without obvious symptoms until they become painful or limit your mobility. An annual exam with Dr. Clegg can identify problems early when they’re easiest to treat.

Professional evaluations catch issues you might miss during home inspections. We check your gait, assess your foot structure, examine your circulation, and look for signs of nerve damage or biomechanical problems.

If you have diabetes, arthritis, or circulation issues, consider scheduling exams twice yearly. Athletes and runners benefit from regular assessments to prevent overuse injuries. 

Anyone experiencing foot pain, numbness, or changes in how their feet look or feel should come in right away rather than waiting for an annual visit.

Early detection prevents minor concerns from becoming major surgeries or chronic conditions that interfere with your daily life.

5. Prioritize proper foot hygiene

Clean, dry feet resist infections and stay healthier than feet that don’t get proper care. Basic hygiene helps prevent fungal infections, bacterial growth, and odor problems that can affect your comfort and confidence.

Daily washing and drying

Wash your feet daily with soap and water, making sure to clean between your toes where moisture and bacteria accumulate. Dry them thoroughly, especially in the spaces between toes where dampness lingers.

Nail and skin care

Trim your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. File rough edges smooth. Apply moisturizer to prevent dry, cracked skin, but skip the areas between your toes, where extra moisture can encourage fungal growth.

Sock and shoe rotation

Change your socks daily and more often if they get damp from sweat or the weather. Give your shoes time to air out between wears instead of using the same pair every day.

Start 2026 with healthy feet in Provo or Nephi, Utah

Taking care of your feet doesn’t require dramatic changes or expensive treatments. A few minutes each day for inspection, stretching, and proper hygiene can help prevent common foot problems before they start.

Call Cascade Foot & Ankle Center or schedule an appointment online to start the new year with a comprehensive foot exam and personalized care plan.