If you have a job that sees you on your feet for several hours a day, then you know how hard it can be on not just your feet, but your back and neck as well! By day’s end, especially if you’ve recently switched from a desk job to one that sees you standing or moving around more, your feet are positively killing you!
Sure, over time, you’ll adjust and get used to it. But even so, after an especially long, trying day, that pain can return. The following tips can help keep it at bay.
1) Posture matters! Be mindful of how you’re standing and maintain a good, erect posture with your shoulders and back, and keep your chest out at all times. As the day grinds on, it’s all too common to begin to slump or slouch, and over time, this can and will cause pain and discomfort.
2) Wear the right shoes. This is another one that most people don’t think about, but everyone’s feet are shaped differently. If you don’t have well-defined arches (flat feet), then you’re going to experience pain by the end of a long day standing unless you’re wearing shoes with great arch supports.
On the other hand, if you tend to have rigid arches, then buying a shoe with good arch supports will do more harm than good. If this describes your feet, then what you really need are shoes with extra cushioning and padding. If you have any questions, talk to your chiropractor and he or she can steer you in the right direction.
3) Don’t stay in one place! Even if you’re working, say, a cash register that requires you to be in the same location, you can still shift the position of your feet on a regular basis, and you should. Take any opportunity to walk, bend and stretch to keep your muscles from stiffening up on you.
Over time, you’ll build the strength and stamina your new standing job requires, but for now, adopting the simple tricks described above will help minimize your discomfort.
