Maria - Health Center

4 Steps to a Healthy Lifestyle 🤩

Think you're leading a healthy lifestyle? Aside from occasionally veering off the path, most of us think we do a fair job of maintaining our health with good (or at least OK) eating habits and physical activity whenever we manage to fit it in. But is that enough to be considered "healthy?"

According to a recent study, very few adults actually meet the criteria for a healthy lifestyle. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that only 3% of American adults got a perfect score on what the authors say are the four basic criteria for healthy living. Just 13.8% met three of the criteria; 34.2% met only two criteria. Women scored slightly better than men.

See how well you measure up on the researchers' four keys to healthfulness:

Do you smoke?
Are you able to maintain a healthy weight (a BMI of 18-25), or are you successfully losing weight to attain a healthy weight?
Do you eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily?
Do you exercise 30 minutes or more, 5 times a week?
The good news is that these behaviors should not be foreign to you, as all but one are an integral part of the Weight Loss Clinic. Numbers 2 through 4 are the foundation of the WLC program, habits that we continually discuss, write about, and recommend.

Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health. If you are one of the lucky ones who never became addicted to ni****ne, pat yourself on the back. Smokers, I hope you are working diligently to kick your habit. It's impossible to underestimate the importance of a smoke-free life for your health -- as well as for the sake of those around you.

4 Steps and More
While those four habits are indisputably important for a healthy lifestyle, some may argue that more factors should be taken into consideration. What would be on your list?

Just for fun, I came up with my own personal top 10 list of healthy behaviors (beyond the four basics) that contribute to wellness and satisfaction with one's lifestyle:

Brush and floss daily to keep your teeth and gums healthy and free of disease.

Get a good night's rest. Well-rested people not only cope better with stress, but may also have better control of their appetites. Research has shown that a lack of sleep can put our "hunger hormones" out of balance -- and possibly trigger overeating.

Enjoy regular family meals. This allows parents to serve as good role models, can promote more nutritious eating, and sets the stage for lively conversations. Being connected to family and/or friends is a powerful aspect of a healthy life.
Smile and laugh out loud several times a day. It keeps you grounded, and helps you cope with situations that would otherwise make you crazy. Read the comics, watch a sitcom, or tell jokes to bring out those happy feelings.

Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace for at least 10-20 minutes each day. Contemplation is good for your soul, helps you cope with the demands of daily life, and may even help lower your blood pressure.

Get a pedometer and let it motivate you to walk, walk, walk. Forget about how many minutes of activity you need; just do everything you can to fit more steps into your day. No matter how you get it, physical activity can help defuse stress, burn calories, and boost self-esteem.

Stand up straight. You'll look 5 pounds lighter if you stand tall and tighten your abdominal muscles. Whenever you walk, think "tall and tight" to get the most out of the movement.

Try yoga. The poses help increase strength and flexibility and improve balance. These are critical areas for older folks especially, and both men and women can benefit.

Power up the protein. This nutrient is an essential part of your eating plan, and can make up anywhere from 10%-35% of your total calories. Protein lasts a long time in your belly; combine it with high-fiber foods and you'll feel full on fewer calories. Enjoy small portions of nuts, low-fat dairy, beans, lean meat, poultry, or fish.

Last but not least, have a positive attitude. Do your best to look at life as if "the glass is half full." You must believe in yourself, have good support systems, and think positively ("I think I can, I think I can…") to succeed.

Healthy lifestyle 😍💙

Today healthy lifestyle is becoming more and more popular both with the old and the young. People have become more health-conscious. They say that the greatest wealth is health. And it’s so true. The healthier we are, the better we feel. The better we feel, the longer we live.

A healthy diet is an essential part of staying healthy. We know that we should not stuff ourselves with fast food, sweets, sausages, pastry and fat food. Due to medical research, this type of food shortens our life, it leads to obesity, heart and blood vessels diseases, diabetes, gastric problems and lots of other serious ailments. To prevent all these problems we should enjoy well-balanced home-made meals with a lot of organic fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains and seafood. We are what we eat.

Keeping fit and going in for sports is also important for our health. Lack of exercise in our life is a serious problem. In big cities people spend hours sitting in front of computers, TV-sets and other gadgets. We walk less because we mainly use cars and public transport. We certainly don’t have to be professional sportsmen, but we should visit fitness clubs, go jogging, walk much, swim, go cycling or roller-skating or just dance. Doctors say that regular moderate physical activity is necessary for our body because it protects us from strokes and heart diseases, flue and obesity.

We must understand the harm of bad habits for our health. Smoking, drinking or taking drugs mean serious illnesses and even death from lung cancer or liver diseases, for instance. Ci******es kill about 3 million heavy-smokers every year. Drug addicts die very young. So I think there is no place for bad habits in a healthy way of life.

Taking a proper rest and getting enough sleep, from 8 to 10 hours daily, are also great healthy habits. Sleep is the food for our brain and the rest for our muscles. Moreover we should avoid getting nervous or worried for no reason.

Healthy way of life concerns our body, mind and soul. Healthy people live longer, they are more successful and they enjoy their life. I believe that it’s not difficult at all to follow these simple rules, and they are worth it.

Foods That Can Help With Rheumatoid Arthritis 🙂

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects various joints—mostly in the hands and feet. It's an autoimmune disorder, which means your immune system gets a bit confused and attacks your own tissues. The exact cause isn't known, and nobody has proven that any particular foods cause rheumatoid arthritis or make the symptoms worse.

Foods to Avoid
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis claim to feel better if they avoid foods that come from the nightshade family of plants, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
You can avoid these foods for a while to see if your symptoms improve, just be sure to replace them with other nutritious foods.

There are some foods that you should avoid because they aren't good for anybody. Stay away from foods that are high in trans fats that are still found in some snack foods and stick margarine.

It may help to cut back on saturated fat from dairy products and red meats, too. Replace the red meat with healthier fish and seafood, and choose canola or olive oil instead of butter. Cut back on added sugars by avoiding candy, sweets, and pastries.

If you're sensitive to sodium, it might be helpful to cut back on salty foods and processed foods. If you're not sure about how much sodium is okay for you to consume, you should speak with your doctor.

A Healthy Anti-Inflammatory Diet
The evidence isn't all that clear that any particular foods will help reduce the inflammation, but eating a healthy anti-inflammatory diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, healthy fats, and calcium sources is good for overall health and a terrific way to watch your weight.

Specifically, research shows that omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce inflammation. You'll find omega-3 fatty acids in foods, such as fish, walnuts, soy, canola oil, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds.

Also, eating fruits and vegetables may help to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. One study showed that women who ate diets higher in fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than women who ate typical Western diets.

That same study didn't show that eating fruits and vegetables would improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when women already had the disorder. But, since most people don't eat anywhere near enough fruits and veggies, increasing your intake of colorful fruits and vegetables is an easy way to improve your diet instantly.

Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) for Osteoarthritis 😉

Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (often referred to as ASU) are a natural vegetable extract made from avocado and soybean oils. As a dietary supplement, avocado soybean unsaponifiables have been shown in clinical studies to have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis.

What Have Studies Shown About Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables?
Natural remedies are popular with arthritis patients. Most people believe that natural products are safer than prescription medications. The implication being that there are less undesirable side effects with natural products. But does ASU work? What does the research say?

So far, there have been 4 studies that assessed the effect of avocado soybean unsaponifiables on knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis. Two of the studies were conducted over 3 months – one assessed hip and knee osteoarthritis, while the other looked only at knee osteoarthritis. Results from both studies revealed that patients who took 300 mg of avocado soybean unsaponifiables a day didn't need as much pain medication as before – they decreased their use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). There was no significant difference observed between the 300 and 600 mg once a day dose of avocado soybean unsaponifiables.

In the third trial, a 6-month trial that evaluated avocado soybean unsaponifiables on hip and knee osteoarthritis, 300 mg once a day improved the Lequesne Functional Index compared to placebo.

A 2-year clinical trial on hip osteoarthritis revealed that 300 mg once a day of avocado soybean unsaponifiables did not slow down joint space narrowing and no other significant differences were observed when compared to placebo after one year. A later analysis of the study, however, determined that avocado soybean unsaponifiables might decrease joint space narrowing in patients with very severe hip osteoarthritis.

How Quickly Does It Work?
Avocado soybean unsaponifiables took at least two months before any improvement was noticed, according to the study results. Interestingly, there also was residual symptom relief for 2 months after stopping treatment.

Wherever it is available as a supplement, a 300 mg soft gel daily is what is recommended to treat osteoarthritis. Eating avocado and soy, even in large amounts, will not provide enough of the unsaponifiables to provide a benefit for osteoarthritis. Only a small fraction of the oil is the unsaponifiable portion.

The Future for Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables
Long-term studies have not yielded positive results – some think that's because researchers looked at the effect of avocado soybean saponifiables on joint structure rather than focusing on symptom relief. More long-term studies are needed.

Regarding safety, there was no significant difference in adverse effects between avocado soybean unsaponifiables and placebo in any of the 4 studies.

In France, avocado soybean unsaponifiables are available with a prescription. The French have tracked its safety for 15 years and there appear to be no significant problems.

Rose Hips for Osteoarthritis 😉

Rose hips are the seed pods of roses. Rose hips are not visible if the bush is pruned once the rose blossoms fade. If the faded flowers are not pruned, the rose hips will appear as small, reddish balls on the tips of the stems toward the end of the growing season.

How Rose Hips Are Used as a Natural Remedy
Rose hips have become a popular natural treatment for arthritis. Rose hips contain anthocyanins—compounds found in plants that have antioxidant properties. Rose hips also contain carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, rubixanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Vitamin C is also abundant in rose hips.

Rose hips are available as an oil, as well as in powder or capsule form. LitoZin Joint Health is a popular brand name supplement product made of rose hips. As a supplement, rose hips have been studied for their health benefits, including pain-relieving properties for osteoarthritis. It is believed to act to decrease inflammation by reducing the production of COX-1 and COX-2, which is the effect of anti-inflammatory medications.

What the Research Says
A meta-analysis of three short-term clinical trials involving the same preparation of rose hips concluded that, compared to placebo (an inactive pill or sugar pill), rose hips are an effective pain reliever and it reduces the need for other pain medications. A total of 306 patients participated in the three trials the meta-analysis looked at; two of the studies were from Denmark and one involved patients from Norway.

The three studies included:

a study of 94 patients with early-stage osteoarthritis
a study of 100 patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (patients on a waiting list for hip or knee replacement)
a study of 112 patients with osteoarthritis of different joints (including some with hand osteoarthritis)
The three studies, all of which were funded by Hyben-Vital International (a manufacturer of rose hips products), did not directly compare rose hips powder to other pain medications (such as acetaminophen) or supplements (such as glucosamine), although it was reported in some newspapers that they did.

Researchers drew indirect comparisons to other studies that compared acetaminophen and glucosamine to placebo. Another limitation of the meta-analysis was that the three studies were all short-term, they lasted about three months each. Researchers concluded that there is a need for larger, long-term studies of rose hips for osteoarthritis. While these studies and the meta-analysis show there may be a pain-relief effect, the studies were all funded by a manufacturer that had a vested interest in the studies being successful. Given the large numbers of people with osteoarthritis, the number of patients in these studies was very small.

Discuss Supplements With Your Doctor
It is important to discuss any natural or herbal supplements you are interested with your doctor. You want to avoid any interactions with other medications you are taking. If rose hips are the active ingredient, they can either reduce or enhance the effects of your other medications. Discuss all supplements with your doctor and pharmacist.

Herbal and Natural Supplements for Osteoarthritis 😉

Herbal supplements are gaining popularity among osteoarthritis patients, but there is a lot you should know about each of the herbal supplements before buying and trying them.

Herbal remedies are derived from the extracts of certain plants. Since herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years, you are likely to presume they are safe—but think again. According to the American College of Rheumatology, herbal remedies are not subjected to the same quality assurance testing that is required for prescription drugs.

Precautions
Just because something is labeled as herbal or natural does not mean it has no side effects. Obviously, you are looking for it to have an effect on your arthritis. While you may intend for them to address your arthritis symptoms, they can also produce other effects in your body, some of which are annoying or even dangerous.

These supplements can also interact with prescription medications to either reduce or enhance their effects. In either case, it is important that your doctor is kept up to date with any supplements you are taking. Check out any supplement with your pharmacist or doctor when you have your prescriptions refilled.

Supplements Remedies Used by Osteoarthritis Patients
Devil's Claw: Devil's claw is a shrub that is native to Southern Africa. It has lush foliage and red flowers. It is named Devil's claw because of tiny hooks that cover its fruit. As a modern, popular supplement, devil's claw is used to treat degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis.

Stinging Nettle: Stinging nettle is a stalk-like plant; its extract is used to treat aches and pains associated with osteoarthritis. Stinging nettle can interfere with certain prescription medications, so discuss it with your doctor before trying it (or any supplement, for that matter).

Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU): Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) have been shown in clinical studies to have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis. Avocado soybean unsaponifiables are a natural vegetable extract made from avocado and soybean oils.

Rose Hips (LitoZin): Rose hips are the seed pods of roses. In clinical studies, a powder made from the rose hips of Rosa canina was found to be more effective than placebo for arthritis pain relief.

Pycnogenol: Pycnogenol is an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. One randomized, placebo-controlled study (what's considered the highest quality type of study) showed that Pycnogenol has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis symptoms by 56%.

Frankincense: Frankincense has been shown to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis. In one randomized, placebo-controlled study, patients who took an enriched extract of the 'Indian Frankincense' herb Boswellia serrata experienced significant pain relief in as few as 7 days.

More Natural and Herbal Supplements for Arthritis: Stay current with research as reported by the Arthritis Foundation. Check their guide for information on any supplements you think may be of use to you for your arthritis.

Arnica As a Natural Treatment for Arthritis 🙂

When working to manage your arthritis, you may consider natural remedies either as an alternative to traditional treatments or as a complement to them. Arnica is one that has gotten a lot of arthritis patients' attention because of its purported anti-inflammatory properties. While natural, arnica does carry some notable side effects that are important to be aware of before using it.

What Is Arnica?
Arnica, short for Arnica montana, is a perennial plant found in the mountainous areas of Europe and North America that produces yellow-orange daisy-like flowers. Since the 1500s, the fresh or dried flowers of the arnica plant have been used for medicinal purposes.

Possible Benefits
Arnica is used for bruises, sprains, muscle soreness, and muscle spasms often associated with sports activity. Arnica is also used to treat muscular aches, joint pain, and arthritis.

It is believed that the arnica plant has anti-inflammatory properties. Arnica has also been used for wound healing, superficial phlebitis, inflammation caused by insect bites, and swelling caused by broken bones.

Research on Use for Arthritis
A randomized study involving 204 people with hand osteoarthritis was published in Rheumatology International in 2007. It was found that daily arnica gel was as effective as daily ibuprofen gel, although neither treatment was compared to placebo. There also were minimal side effects with arnica.

In 2002, an open-label, non-placebo controlled study was published in Advances in Therapy, which involved 79 people with ​knee osteoarthritis. Study participants applied arnica gel twice daily for three to six weeks. One person had an allergic reaction, but the gel was well-tolerated by most patients. Arnica gel was found to reduce pain and stiffness and improve function.

Administration
Arnica can be applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture. It can be made into compresses or poultices. It is usually used topically because serious side effects can result from oral administration of arnica.

Oral homeopathic remedies that contain arnica do exist, but they are heavily diluted to eliminate potential harm.

Warnings and Precautions
There are serious side effects that can occur with oral administration of arnica. It is not advised that you take arnica by mouth without medical supervision, as it can cause dizziness, tremors, and heart abnormalities. Arnica can also irritate the mucous membranes and cause vomiting. It can be fatal in large doses.

The Arthritis Foundation does not recommend the use of arnica. They note that it can be toxic if it gets inside the body and taken orally, it can be poisonous. However, applied topically, it may be safe.

There are warnings that accompany even topical use:

Arnica should never be applied to broken skin.
People who are allergic or hypersensitive to arnica should obviously avoid it.
If used for a long period of time, arnica can cause skin irritation, eczema, peeling of the skin, or blisters.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the use of arnica. Always discuss what you are using or taking with your doctor, including supplements and herbs.

There are no known interactions with arnica. Still, it is important to discuss arnica with your doctor and be vigilant about monitoring for side effects.

Foot Care for People With Arthritis 🤓

Years of wear and tear can be hard on our feet. Disease, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that do not fit properly can also cause foot problems.

Problems with our feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions, such as:

Diabetes
Nerve disorders
Circulatory disorders
Arthritis
Pay Attention to Your Feet
You should check your feet regularly, or have a member of your family check them. Podiatrists and primary care doctors are qualified to treat most foot problems. Sometimes the special skills of an orthopedic surgeon or dermatologist are needed.

Prevent Problems
It also helps to keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible. You can do this by:

Putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down
Stretching if you've had to sit for a prolonged period
Walking
Having a gentle foot massage
Taking a warm foot bath
What Not to Do
Avoiding certain actions or behaviors can help to prevent foot problems.

Try to avoid pressure from shoes that do not fit right.
Try not to expose your feet to cold temperatures.
Do not sit for long periods of time (especially with your legs crossed).
Do not smoke.
Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot ailments.
Proper Shoe Fit Is Essential
Here are tips for making sure your shoes fit properly.

The size of your feet changes as you grow older. Always have your feet measured before buying shoes.
The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other. Fit your shoe to your larger foot.
Do not select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your foot.
Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot.
During the fitting process, make sure there is enough space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
Do not buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.
Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping - the shoes should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.

Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right. Then take them home and spend some time walking on the carpet to make sure the fit is a good one.

More Shoe Fit Tips
The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, flexible material to match the shape of your foot.
Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of skin irritations.
Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery.
Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on hard surfaces.
Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.
Fungal and Bacterial Conditions
Fungal and bacterial conditions, including athlete's foot, occur because our feet spend a lot of time in shoes - a warm, dark, humid place that is perfect for fungus to grow. Fungal and bacterial conditions can cause:

Dry skin
Redness
Blisters
Itching
Peeling
If not treated right away, an infection may be hard to cure. If not treated properly, the infection may recur. To prevent infections, keep your feet clean and dry, especially the area between your toes. Change your shoes and socks or stockings often to help keep your feet dry. Try dusting your feet daily with foot powder. If your foot condition does not get better within 2 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Dry Skin
Dry skin can cause itching and burning feet. Use mild soap in small amounts and a moisturizing cream or lotion on your legs and feet every day. Be careful about adding oils to bath water — oils can make your feet and bathtub very slippery.

Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are caused by friction and pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. If you have corns or calluses, see your doctor. Sometimes, wearing shoes that fit better or using special pads to solve the problem. Treating corns and calluses yourself may be harmful, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Over-the-counter medicines contain acids that destroy the tissue but do not treat the cause. While these medicines may reduce the need for surgery, check with your doctor before using them.

Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. Warts are sometimes painful and, if untreated, they may spread. Since over-the-counter preparations rarely cure warts, see your doctor. A doctor can:

Apply medicines
Burn or freeze the wart off
Take the wart off surgically
Bunions
Bunions develop when the joints in your big toe no longer fit together as they should and become swollen and tender. Bunions tend to run in families.

Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or recommend cortisone injections to relieve pain. Surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure and repair the toe joint, if the bunion is severe or when other conservative treatments provide inadequate pain relief.

Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a piece of the nail breaks the skin. This can occur if you don't cut your toenails properly.

Ingrown toenails are very common in the large toe. A doctor can remove the part of the nail that is cutting into the skin. This allows the area to heal. Ingrown toenails can often be avoided by cutting the toenail straight across and level with the top of the toe.

Hammertoes
Hammertoe is caused by a shortening of the tendons that control toe movements. The toe knuckle is usually enlarged, drawing the toe back. Over time, the joint enlarges and stiffens as it rubs against shoes. Your balance may be affected. Wearing shoes and stockings with plenty of toe room is a treatment for hammertoe. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

Spurs / Osteophytes
Spurs are calcium growths that develop on bones of your feet. They are caused by muscle strain in the feet. Things that can make spurs worse include standing for long periods of time, wearing shoes that don't fit, and being overweight. Sometimes spurs are completely painless. Other times, spurs can be very painful. Treatment for spurs includes using foot supports, heel pads, or heel cups. When severe, surgery may be needed.

5 Best Foot Warmers for People With Arthritis 😍

The Arthritis Foundation recommends heat therapy as a fast and easy way to relieve joint pain. While a simple heating pad might do the trick, they suggest finding a product that can surround the affected area for a more complete and lasting relief.

When it comes to arthritis of the ankles and feet, foot warmers could very well be the solution you've been looking for. Whether to soothe aching soles after a long day on your feet or to reduce pain and inflammation while at work, these products have become increasingly popular among people with arthritis and other circulatory or joint disorders.

Here are five great options that are not only effective but well-priced and easy-to-use.

1
Genuine Foot Furnace Bed Slippers
Genuine Foot Furnace Bed Slippers are cleverly designed, insulated booties you can wear at night to relieve foot pain caused by arthritis, diabetes, or fibromyalgia.

The slippers require no batteries and don't need to be plugged in; rather, they work by generating and retaining heat from the feet themselves. The extra-soft, duck down lining is gentle on your feet and loose enough so that you can wear socks inside.

Genuine Foot Furnace Bed Slippers are a washable, one-size-fits-all solution that is decidedly low-tech but offers surprising warmth and comfort for people with persistent or intractable foot pain.

2
Grabber Foot Warmers
Grabber Foot Warmers are thin but comfortable shoe inserts that provide instant heat relief for more than five hours. The product begins to work the moment it is exposed to air and utilizes ingredients that are non-toxic, all natural, and non-combustible. The chemicals—iron powder, vermiculite, cellulose, charcoal, and salt—react in the presence of oxygen are commonly found in all types of camping and survival products.

Grabber Foot Warmers are sold 30 to a pack and are the perfect solution for people who have to work outdoors in cold weather. The activated insoles provide consistent 95-degree temperatures to relieve aches and pains from ​tendonitis, ​plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and other foot disorders.

One helpful tip: to ensure the insoles fit snugly in your shoe, you may want to purchase a slightly larger size.

3
Dr. Scholl's Warming Foot Massager
Dr. Scholl's is all about feet, and this clever, well-priced solution offers two forms of therapy. This cozy foot massager is made with an attractive faux suede shell and an extra-cushy, synthetic fleece lining. Simply slip your feet in and adjust the heat to one of two temperature settings.

You can also use the massage function which is not all that active but rather provides a soft, rhythmic buzz. The massage function is entirely separate from the temperature control and can be switched off if you like.

While the Dr. Scholl's Warming Foot Massager comes in a one-size-fits-all size, it may be a bit too snug for men with feet over size 11.

4
ObboMed Carbon Fiber Warming Booties
If you'd rather have a little more mobility than the Dr. Scholl's massager allows, you may want to take a look at the Obbomed warming booties. These cozy, zippered booties can be heated up in advance and then tugged onto your feet for several hours of heat relief.

The inner lining is made of carbon fiber which reportedly has better heat retention properties. The booties are powered by a five-volt, low-voltage USB outlet which means you can even use your laptop as a power source. They take around 15 minutes to fully heat up and reach a temperature of up to 109 degrees.

The ObboMed Warming Booties are actually something you can wear around the house without looking like you've donned an orthopedic medical device. They come in a dark grey color with a velour exterior and thick fleece lining. The booties are not machine washable but can be easily cleaned with a light sponging of Woolite.

5
Serta Ultra-Plush Electric Foot Warmer
Leave it to Serta, the bed mattress people, to create a soft and simple way to warm your feet while watching TV with your better half. This spacious, 36-inch by 20-inch electric pad is large enough to accommodate two pairs of feet and can even be laid flat at the end of your bed in place of a traditional hot water bottle.

Made of an ultra-plush, 100 percent polyester fleece, the Serta electric foot warmer has four temperature settings to provide the right level of heat relief for people with poor circulation, arthritis, or diabetic neuropathy.

The external covering is machine washable and comes with an 8.5-foot power cord. Like all Serta products, the Ultra-Plush Electric Foot Warmer has a manufacturer's one-year guarantee.