Healthy Lifestyle: What has shoes got to do with it?

Hello and how are you on this good day? Today’s post is what I’ll like to term “buy now and pay later”. 😏Before you wonder what the means, I’ll explain. It’s a term I learnt from a dear friend’s mum and what it simply means is that, there are things that we buy because they gratify our immediate desires but in the long run, cause pain.

Our feet are the foundation of our everyday lives. Every good foundation must have the appropriate support. The health of our feet has a profound effect on our entire body and quality of life. We spend most of our days in shoes so buying and wearing good shoes is very important. Shoes go beyond good looks as bad shoes can cause long term injuries. Investing in good shoes can help you to feel your best and prevent injuries , thereby beneficial to health. For the sake of your overall health, always choose shoes that are supportive and comfortable.

Without realising it, wrong shoes can significantly reduce your quality of life. All shoes alter the shape of our feet and studies have shown that poor footwear can affect us in many ways that can actually start a vicious health cycle. In relatively healthy people, bad shoes can cause foot pain, leading to reduced physical activities. For people in poorer health, it may actually lead to disability.

Wearing improper shoes can be hard on your feet, making them tired which will most likely cause a change in the way you walk. This alteration can in turn tire out your knees, making you more prone to injuries. Lower body fatigue can happen with any ill fitting shoes but is more common with flip flops.

If you must clench your toes to keep to keep your sandals on or step in a particular way to prevent the shoes from slipping, you’re wearing the wrong sandals.

If you notice knee pain, consider your shoes first, especially if you lead an active lifestyle or are on your feet for extended hours.

Wrong shoes may lead to slips and falls which is dangerous at any age, more so for the elderly.

One thing most people fail to notice is how their bodies align when standing. If you are misaligned , it can have repercussions on the health of your joints all the way up to your neck. Your shoes provide your body with support, beginning with your arches. 

Not everyone has normal arches as many are born with high arches and flat feet, which means they need added support. Not wearing supportive shoes on abnormal arches can cause a lot of symptoms, pain in the feet or lower legs.

When you take steps, your ankles, knees and hips, back and neck rely on your feet for proper balance and even distribution of body weight.

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and shoes can make or mar your workout. Choosing the appropriate shoes can protect against common injuries associated with your chosen exercise. Injury caused by inappropriate shoes can needlessly derail your fitness plan. Investing in  good shoes can prevent injuries and make exercising more pleasant and comfortable. Buy shoes that are appropriate for your chosen workout exercise and surface.

Strong lower body motion starts with your feet. When shoes don’t have enough support, neither do your ankles or knees. A lack of of support can encourage your knees to bend improperly and become unstable. Support is especially important during physical activities. When running or playing sports or even standing for long periods of time,  wear athletic shoes with lots of internal support, strong heel caps and side posts that support the ankles.

If you exercise 5-7 times a week for at least 30 minutes, you should change your workout shoes every six months and check for signs of wear and tear from time to time.

Finally, shoes have so much more to offer than just to walk, good shoes can take you to good places.

Till next week, keep on moving don’t stop.