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Standing on your feet all day can cause serious problems for many people. Whether you stand long hours for your job, or for recreational reasons, you need to make sure that you do everything you can to relieve as much stress on your feet as possible.
When you stand for too long, you can begin to experience joint and foot pain. If you do it many times, like with a job, your muscles can become fatigued, leading to discomfort even when you aren’t standing. Here are a few things you can do to help alleviate the stress that is associated with prolonged standing.
Find the Right Shoes
One of the most important things you can do if you stand all day is to find the right pair of shoes. Shoes come in many styles and you want to find the pair that works for you.
Avoid going for the most stylish shoes and look for cushioned comfort. If you cannot find a pair of cushioned shoes that you like, you can always purchase inserts that will give you the comfort you need. Also, don’t purchase shoes that are too “spongy,” as this will provide you with little support and could end up hurting you more than helping. Cushions that support with a little bit of give are the best.
Find a pair of shoes that fit properly. Make sure that they are large enough to be comfortable, but not so large that your feet will slide around in them, which can cause blisters. You’re feet will swell throughout the day, so find a pair that provides just a little amount of wiggle room.
Exercise Regularly
As with most health problems in life, a little bit of exercise can go a long way in alleviating pain and discomfort, and foot problems are no different.
When you build and strengthen the muscles throughout your body, you will have the ability to stand more comfortably. You want to make sure that your leg and back muscles are especially strengthened, as these anchor you body to your feet and provide stable support that will take the tension off of your feet. Here are a few exercises you can try at home or throughout the day to help.
Stretching is also another great way to relieve the pressure on your feet. Take intermittent sitting breaks and stretch your calves and hamstrings. Gently roll your ankles around in small circles and ball your toes to help work out any kinks that may begin to form while you are standing.
Work on Great Posture
This goes hand-in-hand with regular exercise. If you have bad posture, you put a lot of undue pressure on your feet, which will be exacerbated the longer you stand.
Keep your back as straight as possible while you are standing, “pulling” your bellybutton in toward your center. Your shoulders should be level with your ears and your neck should be straight. When you slouch, all of your weight is out of balance and, ultimately, goes to your feet, causing pressure points that can really ruin your day. Starting with a straight back will help you avoid these pressure points.
When you walk, place your heel down first and roll up onto your toes. The heel-toe method of walking is the best way to avoid putting pressure on your feet. This method is also much easier when you have good posture.
Take Care of Your Feet
When you can, use every possible opportunity to take care of your feet. If you stand in one place for a long time, you can use a cushioned floor mat that will give you cushioned support. You can view Sky Solutions products here and see if a mat would work for you.
At home, pamper your feet with a massage and a nice soak. Epsom salt works wonders for aching feet. Epsom salt is the household name for magnesium sulfate, which reduces swelling and improves circulation when you soak in it, easing any foot problems you may have.
If your feet are especially swollen, you should use an ice bath. The ice will temporarily numb the nerve endings in your feet, helping with any pain you may have, and cause the muscles to relax, reducing the swelling. If the ice bath is too cold for you, you can also use a cold compress or, in a pinch, even a bag of frozen vegetables and apply it to the affected area.
If you stand all day, make sure you take care of your feet with these suggestions.
Georgia Francis enjoys writing, her articles focusing on a range of topics to make daily life a little easier. Georgia is a remote worker with a teenage daughter and 2 dogs.