Dear World
Our Hands require attention and taking care of them is important.
Read our Hand Care blog on this website, which has a step by step guide to washing our hands.
For those that are ready to go to deep care, there is also a step by step guide that is part of a nurturing bedtime routine and the importance of this ritual is presented in the Hand Care blog.
Next –
The following is taken from the Simple Living Global Back to Basics Program –
Hand Nails
Set aside a moment with no distractions
After a shower or bath makes this job easy
Have some nail scissors and a nail file ready
Sit down where there is plenty of light
Place a towel down on the table or your lap
Put a paper towel/paper tissue on the towel
Rest one hand on the table or your legs
FOCUS your mind on what you are doing
Concentrate on the task and nothing else
Start with the right thumb then fingers
Cut following shape of the natural nail
Do not cut too short or touch the skin
Pay attention – be very care-full
Place the cut nails and tissue in trash
Then repeat above with other hand
If this task is too difficult, ask someone with a steady hand to support you.
Next –
Gentle movements needed
Use a nail file and go one way only
Sweep across and file into shape
Run fingers under the filed nail
Any rough edges, file a bit more
Wash your Hands – see our guide
Dry with towel by gently dabbing
Use cream or lotion to moisturise
Rub extra cream in if hands very dry
Pay attention to the cuticles and nail
Massage oil or cream into the actual nail and cuticle, using fingertips in a gentle anti-clockwise movement.
Remember to stay on the job and that means your mind is with the task in hand. Pun intended !
Feet Nails
Feet nails are generally hard
Always cut after a bath or shower
Have plenty of light – important
Use nail clippers for this job
Place a towel on the floor first
Put paper towel or tissue on top
Sit on the floor – get comfortable
Lean forward so you can see nail
Cut across from right to left
Do not cut off too much nail to start
Use fingertips and press to check
If nail bed is touching – stop now
If not, cut a little bit more off again
Do not cut down inside the corners
Stay very FOCUSED on this task
Next –
Use nail file to smooth out nail ridge
Apply cream to soften and moisturise
Use thumb to rub cream into nails
Pay attention to the detail of the toes
Use more cream to massage the foot
If heels are cracked, use extra cream
Use fingertips and rub into the cracks
If you want to make this more of a ritual then soak the feet in a large bowl of water – not too hot.
ADD some bath salts or bath gel and mix in with your hands and check the temperature.
Have a towel ready on the side and prepare the space around
Place the feet gently into the bowl
Leave to soak for 10 minutes
Remove one foot at a time
Remember to wipe between toes
The above is a simple step-by step practical guide that requires regular attention.
Never rush or Push and try to do it Fast or while there are other things going on.
This is about taking care of yourself and valuing this job as important as anything else in your life.
NOTE – if you notice any of the following, check in with your GP or contact a registered podiatrist:
- Nails discoloured
- Fungal Infection
- Painful corns
- Swelling
- Lumps
- Athlete’s foot
- Ingrown toe nails
- Bunions
- Warts
- Pain when walking
This publication is ©Copyright and the Moral Rights of the Author, Bina Pattel and Simple Living Global are asserted. Other than for the purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended, no part of this work may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to Simple Living Global – info@simplelivingglobal.com.
