As much as most people would prefer not to stand the whole day, you might not have an option in some careers. Those who work in retail, hospitality, security, as well as occupations such as nursing, spend most of their time standing or walking from one place to the other. And at the end of your shift, you might experience some fatigue or discomfort on your feet. When you are standing all day, you will be forcing your feet to bear the entire weight of your body. Apart from your feet, you might also be straining your back, neck, joints and other muscles. The good news is that you can prevent pain and discomfort on your feet, knees, back, neck and other areas of your body, by wearing shoes for standing all day. Wearing footwear that is specifically designed for standing all day comes with numerous benefits.
Prevent Foot Pain
If you spend more than 8 hours on your feet every day, you might end up with foot pain if you are not wearing proper footwear. A quality pair of shoes, made of breathable, comfortable materials, will go a long way in alleviating foot pain. The best shoes for standing all day don’t rub against your feet or squeeze your toes. They provide ample cushioning while allowing your toes to wiggle and relax. Therefore, even if you spend your whole day standing or walking, you will not experience pain or discomfort on your feet, as long as you are wearing quality shoes for standing all day. A proper pair of shoes designed for standing or walking all day will also come with a wide footbed. Thanks to this design, your foot will spread out naturally, leading to greater stability. Also, such shoes are equipped with a wide toe box, which allows your toes to spread out.
Improved Posture and Stride
Some poorly designed and constructed shoes will prevent you from walking properly, thus forcing your ankles, feet, hips, and knees, to assume a poor posture. When you wear proper shoes, maintaining a natural posture is much easier. And if your muscles and joints are properly aligned, then you can walk comfortably, without any issues. Also, if you assume proper posture when standing, then you will not place unnecessary pressure on your ankles, knees, and back. As a result, you will not experience any pain or discomfort at the end of your shift. If you are a security officer, a chef or a nurse and you’ve been experiencing pain, excessive fatigue or stiffness at the end of your shift, then it’s time to check the shoes you are wearing. If they are not designed for standing all day, then they might not offer the right amount of support and comfort.
Proper Arch Support
The arches in your feet are composed of ligaments, tendons, and bones. These structures play a vital role in movement functions as well as weight-bearing. Also, they provide flexibility and stability to your feet. Arches also help with shock absorption, every time your foot strikes the ground when you are jumping, walking, standing or running. People have different types of foot arches – medium arches, low arches, and high arches.
Approximately 60% of the world population have medium arches. These arches are the most biomechanically efficient, compared with the others. However, individuals with medium arches are still prone to common foot problems such as heel pain. Approximately 20% of the general population have low arches or flat feet. Low arches tend to be biomechanically imbalanced and they can expose your feet to issues such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and arch pain. The remaining 20% of the general population have raised or high arches. High arches tend to be more rigid compared to the others. For people with high arches, most of the stress exerted on the foot is absorbed by the ball and heel areas of the foot.
Quality work shoes come with adequate arch support. They will absorb shock and impact every time your foot strikes the ground while helping you to stand with more stability and better posture. Also, shoes with proper arch support will reduce pronation, while minimizing injuries on your legs and feet. Also, a pair of work shoes with the right amount of arch support will reduce the pressure exerted on the Achilles tendon, thus lowering the possibility of getting ankle eversion or inversion.
Adequate Cushioning
If you stand all day or walk frequently, then you will need adequate cushioning. Every time your foot strikes the ground, it experiences high-impact pressure. And with time, this pressure will wear out your joints, tendons, and ligaments. Fortunately, if your work shoes have adequate cushioning and shock absorption, then the impact on your joints will be minimal. Shoes come with different levels of cushioning. However, it’s highly advisable to replace your shoes once the cushioning wears out. If you stand on concrete or other hard surfaces the whole day, then you should ensure that the shoes you wear have ample cushioning.
Prevents Blisters
Blisters are a common issue, especially for people who spend the better part of their day on their feet. Blisters are normally caused by ill-fitting shoes or wearing shoes that are not properly broken into. Also, if your shoes have poor ventilation, then there might be an accumulation of sweat, and you might end up with hot spots and blisters. Therefore, wearing the right type of shoes will ensure that your feet can breathe comfortably while preventing hot spots and blisters. And if your feet are happy, then you will enjoy a higher level of productivity at work.
Enhance Circulation
If your work shoes are not comfortable, they might leave you with swollen feet, leading to poor circulation in your entire body while making it extremely difficult and uncomfortable to walk or stand. Wearing good quality shoes will improve circulation in your legs and feet while preventing varicose veins problems. Apart from enhanced circulation, wearing quality shoes will give you self-confidence. Wearing a pair of comfortable shoes will leave you feeling great mentally while making your days rewarding and positive.
Long-term Benefits
If you are young, then you might not experience most of the foot-related problems that have been mentioned above. However, if you fail to take care of your feet when you have the opportunity, you will eventually end up with numerous issues such as knee pain, joint pain, back pain, and foot pain, among others. Conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, and endless foot pain might eventually lead to surgery. Fortunately, wearing quality shoes from an early age will help you to avoid such problems. While purchasing a pair of high-quality work shoes might seem expensive, the implications of wearing improper footwear are more severe, both financially and healthwise – especially for people whose careers involve standing for long periods.
Protection
Apart from cushioning, support and comfort, a pair of quality work shoes will also protect your legs. For example, if you work in a hospital environment, then your feet are exposed to various hazards such as sharp objects, and harmful organisms. Wearing a pair of sturdy, high-quality work shoes, will ensure that your feet have adequate protection against such harmful elements. And if you happen to come across slippery surfaces, then their slip-resistant outsoles will ensure you don’t lose your footing.
Closing Remarks
Whether you are an attendant in a retail store or you work in a fancy restaurant, wearing the right shoes is vital. Since you will be spending the entire day on your feet, a pair of quality work shoes will keep your feet comfortable throughout your shift, while preventing foot and back-related issues. Also, wearing proper shoes will prevent blisters, sores, bad posture, leg issues as well as discomfort, which might potential ruin your workday or lower your performance. While saving money is a good thing, never sacrifice quality for the price.
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