You might be thinking, “I’ve got this. I know all about shoes.”
But do you? How well do you actually know your shoe size? What style of footwear is best for your feet type? And how long should they last before they need to be replaced?
The average person takes 10,000 steps per day, which adds up to more than three million steps per year, per the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society.
You may think that it doesn’t matter, but the truth is that there are many ways our footwear choices can affect our health, happiness, and balance (or lack thereof).
It’s important to consider what we wear on our feet every day in our life because the wrong choice could lead to problems like bunions, corns or even worse.
So if you’re ready to take care of your feet, read on!
What to look for in a shoe
A good shoe should be a snug fit, but not too tight. This ensures that your foot is held securely in place for support and comfort so you don’t get blisters or calluses.
Choose shoes based on how they feel rather than their size, and make sure there is 3/8 to 12” of space between the end of your longest toe and the tip of the shoe when you stand up.
Not only that, but it will also prevent your feet from sliding around inside of the footwear while you’re walking so you don’t trip.
If you know what your arch type is, then buy shoes that cater to that type of arch and fit properly!
For example, if you have flat feet then you shouldn’t wear high-heels since they put weight on the ball of your foot which can create unnecessary pain and damage to joints.
And if you have high arches, then wearing flip-flops all day every day might not be the best idea since they don’t provide much support.
How often should you replace shoes?
If your shoes have been worn for 400 or more miles, then it’s time to get rid of them so you don’t get injured from wearing an unsafe shoe.
As people get older their feet get smaller and more sensitive which leads to problems like corns, plantar fasciitis, and swollen feet. And the best way to resolve these problems is to get your feet fitted for a new pair of shoes with arch support and high-quality materials!
So, don’t wait until you get injured. Get new shoes every 400 miles or so and you won’t regret it.
Common foot problems
It hurts so much when my feet hurt. So what should I do?
Think about your shoes! You can probably tell if your shoes aren’t fitting well or if you’re having any other foot health problems simply by looking at what you’re wearing.
If you want to find out for sure, take a look at this list of warning signs:
Warning signs and painful conditions
- You feel foot pain when wearing certain shoes.
- Your feet or ankles ache after standing or walking.
- You have redness on your toes and the balls of your feet.
- Your shoes are worn down along the inside of the sole.
Sports injuries
Sports injuries can happen when we least expect them, but there are many ways that we can protect ourselves. When doing any sort of high-impact sport or exercise like soccer, track, and field, basketball, or long run be sure to use proper footwear.
Blood flow
Blood flowing of the feet is reduced by tight, narrow shoes and this can cause you to lose feeling in your toes. So if you feel like you’ve lost any sort of sensation or movement in your feet after an injury, take a break from sports and see your doctor for treatment!
Fungal infections
Fungus is a common cause of fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and the prescription-strength creams that we use to treat it can weaken our skin. So if you’re battling an infection, be sure to wear strong shoes made from high-quality materials so your feet won’t hurt too much after a long day on your feet!
Ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails are caused by pressure on your toes which can come from wearing tight shoes with little to no arch support. Wearing high-quality shoes made for your foot type is the best way to prevent this problem without sacrificing fashion!
Cracked skin
Cracked skin is caused by wearing shoes that aren’t made from high-quality materials and this can lead to blisters. If your feet hurt after a day’s wear, then you might be suffering from foot pain that could’ve easily been avoided by the right shoes!
If you’re noticing any of these foot issues, it’s time to make a change!
How to prevent them
Here are some tips on how to have pain free and happy feet:
- Check them on a regular basis
- Keep your feet clean
- Keep the circulation flowing in your feet by sitting or sleeping down with your legs up
- After sitting for long periods of time, stretch
- Massage your feet gently
- Soak your feet in a warm foot bath to relax
- Maintain a dry and clean environment for your feet, particularly between your toes
- Change your socks and shoes on a regular basis
- Apply foot powder to your feet on a daily basis
- Apply a tiny amount of mild soap and a moisturizing lotion to your legs and feet on a daily basis
- Roll a tennis ball under your feet to get the blood flowing
If you have sweaty feet, replace your socks as soon as possible after you finish your activity. Wearing socks made of moisture-wicking material is also a good idea.
Don’t let your footwear get in the way of your overall health – invest in good, reliable shoes that will keep your feet happy all day long!
You thought they were good shoes, but now is the time to talk about footwear essentials.
Footwear essentials
There are many different types of footwear, but you know that you need to be wearing the right kind for your specific activity. It’s important to take care of your healthy feet. If they’re not happy, then that’s a problem!
Luckily, there are many ways to take care of them that don’t require much effort on your part. You just need to find what works for you, and I’m here to help.
Ankle support: Keeps you from rolling over your ankle while running or working out.
Specialized shoes for working out: If you’re doing high-impact activities, then you need good support.
The right shoe fit: Your footwear should not be too large or too small. Make sure that your big toe is at the end of the shoe and that there are no extra spaces between your toes or around your feet.
Quality construction: High-quality shoes can last for a very long time and provide the best support. When you’re thinking about footwear essentials, think about how much wear and tear your chosen shoes will go through.
Cushioning: There are many different types of cushioning that vary in their purpose. Cushioning helps absorb shock and can prevent injury.
And remember: Footwear is a key component of our daily routine. Whether you’re going for a run or just going to work, it’s important that you have the right shoes for the task at hand.
If your feet tend to still be in pain after trying out all of these things, contact your foot doctor so they can provide medical advice! They’re trained professionals that know how to analyze your foot problems and help you get them under control.
The importance of making your feet happy
This can not be overstated. Our feet are the foundation of our bodies, and they need to be treated right.
One recent statistic shows that 48% of Americans have had foot problems resulting from their footwear. However, according to podiatrists who spoke to ABC News, 80% of people have size-related issues with their shoes.
What does this mean? A lot of people are wearing shoes that don’t fit them.
Wearing shoes that don’t fit may not be such a big deal when you’re just going out to dinner, but it can cause serious damage if you wear the wrong pair of shoes for an activity like running or hiking.
If you know what’s right and what’s wrong, you won’t have to worry about any of this.
What your feet want and need: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Your feet want the best for you just like you do, and while we can’t exactly give them some vitamins or anything like that, you need to keep your feet healthy.
Your feet need to breathe! All those little holes in your shoes are there for a reason – to let air flow through the footwear and cool down your feet as you wear it. In addition, your feet want something soft against them.
Maybe you would feel weird wearing cotton underwear on the street, but that kind of fabric is what you need to keep your feet healthy! Your feet can’t talk, but they’ll show you if the shoes you’re wearing are comfortable or not.
If your shoes feel tight or uncomfortable, chances are that they really are – and this discomfort will only get worse.
Conclusion
Proper footwear is key to having happy feet! Just remember all of the things we went over today – good shoes should be a snug fit but not too tight, you shouldn’t wear wet shoes or walk around with them on for long after they get wet (because that can lead to uncomfortable and sometimes harmful issues like athlete’s foot), and you should replace your shoes every 400 miles or so to avoid injury.
Our feet are our foundation, and they are essential for staying active well into your senior years.
