Foot notes

Face your fear
According to Dr. Christoph Leonhard, a licensed psychologist and professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, the best treatment for overcoming any type of phobia is confronting it. “Usually, we break it down into two areas: one is exposure to the naturalistic stimulus, actual feet for example, and the other one would be do it in your imagination,” says Leonhard.

Get comfy
Leonhard suggests starting the process by diving right in: Read about feet or look at pictures of them in a magazine.

Don’t be list-less
Next, rank what you find most disgusting about feet in a hierarchy. “Let’s be gross, and say [what repulses you most is] working out in your old sneakers and socks and then, having your naked, sweaty feet in front of you. That would be the highest one on your hierarchy,” he says.

Avoid avoidance
Finally, confront your fear. “You could just wear socks with your sandals, but that’s avoidance,” Leonhard says. “And when you go through life like that, you really trade away a lot of fun things.” Not to mention, running the risk of being a fashion disaster.

Click here to find ways to get your feet sandal-ready for the summer.