Whether it’s Holiday shopping, travelling or endless Holiday partying, your feet are bound to be overworked this season. Looking good does require some sacrifice on our end but it does not mean that we have to suffer in pain. So here are some top tips to keep your feet happy this busy season, courtesy of the Columbia Orthopaedic Group.
1. When shoe shopping, whether it’s a pair of killer high heels or a pair of funky wedge boots, opt to shop at the end of the day because your feet are at their largest. Stand in them and walk around. Make sure it can accommodate the entire length of your foot and it has enough space for your toes especially your longest toe. And contrary to popular belief, there should be no “break-in” period for shoes. If that pair of wedge boots does not fit in the store, it probably still won’t fit at home.
2. Make sure you are wearing the correct shoe size. Believe it or not, your shoe size changes over the years. Trace your foot on a paper and use it to measure against your shoes in the closet. If it fits within the borders or if it hangs over the shoes, then it’s most likely too small for you.
3. According to experts, any footwear that elevates the heel puts pressure on the front of the foot and makes the toe box constrictive—a not so comfortable combo. But because it is next to impossible to ask a woman to give up her high heels or stilettos, the next best thing is to always bring a pair of flats or slippers so your feet can breathe. Of course, you can also wear more of wedge boots because it gives the height minus the discomfort.
4. Soothe your feet regularly with a little massage (you can even add a little moisturizer). A basic foot exercise is to point or flex your toes up and down to work out the stiffness and rotate the ankles to achieve a range of motion. After a long day at work or at play in those stilettos or wedge boots, your feet will love you for it.
