Does your job mean you spend most of your working day on your feet? If so, you’ll no doubt be more than familiar with sore heels, aching arches and swollen ankles. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, care worker, hospital worker or retail assistant, you can do things to prevent discomfort and pain and keep your feet in optimum condition.
Supportive Shoes
While you may want to make a fashion statement, it’s important that your footwear is supportive and comfortable. When looking for work shoes, look for flexible soles which bend with the foot’s natural movement and enclosed footwear that has secure fasteners. The most comfortable footwear has cushioning and a non-slip sole to help with grip.
Rest Your Feet on Regular Breaks
Rest when you can, even if it’s just for a few minutes every few hours. If your feet are already sore, remove your shoes and give them a gentle rub to increase blood flow and help ease tight muscles. If you have heel pain, as well as regular rest, try not to run or walk too fast. This may not always be easy if you are very busy on a work shift, but your employer should allow for adjustments. Some care assistants, for example, may be rushing from client to client but are entitled to a break of at least 20 minutes. For those considering care assistant jobs Meath, employers such as www.caremark.ie/job-opportunities/care-assistant-jobs-meath/ can offer support.
Exercise
Regular exercise can help increase the strength and flexibility of your feet, which have to carry your weight around every single day. Gentle yet effective exercise includes walking, yoga and Pilates, which help to also strengthen leg muscles to support your body if you spend long periods on your feet.
Self-Care
You don’t need to have expensive pedicures to keep your feet healthy, as you can carry out some treatments at home. Massaging your feet at the end of a long day with a foot cream or oil is therapeutic, and you can use a pumice stone for removing dry skin.
