Something as seemingly benign as the way we comport ourselves when heading into work can have a distinct impact on our overall health. You may be putting your back and feet at risk for a chronic condition on a daily basis and not even know it. To help you maintain overall health for a long time to come, you might consider the tips on hand from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in a new report.
Many people don’t realize the role that their shoes play in foot, leg, and back health. If you’re walking for great distances on a pair of heels, the pain is eventually going to catch up to you. Heels should be kept at a maximum of little more than a couple inches, and those intent on wearing heels ought to think about wearing flats on the way to and from work and then changing once parked or in the office.
Even then, if your job requires a lot of walking, the pain could catch up to you. The same goes not just for heels, but really any type of shoe that doesn’t fit properly. You do yourself a big favor by purchasing the right pair of shoes, and this is made easier when you go shoe shopping in the latter portion of the day, once your feet have swelled up. A shoes that fits at the beginning of the day may actually prove to be too tight overall.
In fact, much foot pain and many injuries result from the simple fact that many people don’t realize how a shoe is supposed to fit in the first place. A well-fitting pair of shoes will enable you to move your toes around the inside, and your biggest toe should never touch the front of the shoe. You also want to avoid any type of shoe that comes to a point, as this can smash your toes together in an unnatural way. You should also get out of the habit of breaking in a shoe that is uncomfortable. If a shoes fits properly, it doesn’t have to be broken in.
Those things you bring to work with you also play a critical role in your overall health. If you’re loaded up with a purse, a briefcase, a laptop bag, and any number of objects contained within all of those, then the stress will eventually add up and weigh on your back. A backpack is a good idea for those who have to carry a lot, but even that has to have limits. The pack must be worn properly with the heaviest items closer to your back.
Finally, be sure to stretch out your feet, legs, and back at regular intervals. In this way, you ensure that they’re getting the release of tension necessary to promote good health.
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