For many people, a big part of their working day involved being on their feet. And while the actual tasks that they might be responsible for can add more stress to their minds and bodies, simply standing on your feet all day can take a real toll in and of itself. Luckily, there are things that you can do to help minimize the effect of this stress and wear and tear.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to protect your feet when working on them all day.
Be Smart About Your Shoes And Socks
One of the first things that you should do to help protect your feet when walking or standing for a major part of your day is to be smart about the shoes and socks that you wear.
When on your feet all day, gravity will cause your feet and legs to swell. To combat this, you should be wearing compression socks that will help to keep the blood flowing back up to your body from these lower extremities. Additionally, you should seek to wear shoes that don’t alter the natural form and shape of your feet. Try to find shoes that don’t squeeze your feet or toes or that don’t force you into an unnaturally high or low arch. You should also look for shoes with a thick sole that will help to absorb the shock of walking.
Use Anti-Fatigue Mats When Possible
Another thing that you can do to help protect your feet is to be careful about what surfaces you’re walking or standing on.
In some instances, like when working in a warehouse, you may have to walk on hard surfaces with little change in what the surface is. But wherever you can, look to not stand or walk on surfaces like concrete or metal. And for places where these flooring options are all that you have, seek to find solutions that will allow for places with anti-fatigue mats or other flooring options that will be softer on your feet.
Follow A Recovery Plan After Work
After a long day of being on your feet, it’s vital that you know how to help yourself recover from this stress when you get home. Otherwise, you could continually exacerbate the problems that you experience on a day-to-day basis.
Just as with other injuries, when your feet are hurting you, you should follow the guidance of R.I.C.E. This means that you should seek to ice your feet, either in an ice bath or with ice bags. You should also elevate your feet so that you can get your blood flow going and help with swelling. Massages can also help work out any tension that you have in your feet and legs, which is bound to happen.
If you stand or walk for long hours during your work days, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how to better protect your feet and not be riddled with constant feet, knees, and back pain.
