Now I am not talking about painting happy faces on your toes to make them happy. 🙂
(Although that will ABSOLUTELY make those piggies look happy!)
Kidding aside, happy toes are toes that are strong and mobile!
You might think "They are toes. Those piggies are so far away. Why do I need to pay attention to them?"
Here are a few reasons why you want happy toes. When your toes are strong and mobile, they help with the following
Protect against sprained ankle
Improve your balance
Prevent corns & calluses
Improve your walking & running gait
Prevent plantar fasciitis
Provide Arch Stability
Prevent Hammertoes
Happy toes are so important for everyday life. If you are an athletes (especially land sports) having happy toes can dramatically improve your performance and prevent injuries!
So How Do You Get Happy Toes?
Here are 3 exercises that will help strengthen your toes and increase your mobility
1) Toes Lift (Basic)
Feet flat on the ground. Find balance while standing tall
Lift all toes up. Release all toes down.
Repeat 5 times
2) Alternate Toes Lift (Intermediate)
Feet flat on the ground. Find balance while standing tall
Lift big toes Up, Press other 4 toes down. Find balance
Release big toes, Press big toes down, lift other 4 toes. Repeat 5 times
3) Toes Spread (Advance)
Feet flat on the ground. Find balance while standing tall
Lift all toes up
Lower toes one at a time. starting from pinky toe to big toe. Repeat 5 times