4 Ways to Take Care of Your Feet, Legs and Back On and Off the Job
Wearing comfortable boots is critical if you have to work in them all day. There’s nothing worse than wearing work boots or military combat boots and having your feet hurt. The thing with boots is that when your feet hurt and you have to be on them all day, it’s going to affect your knees and back as well. It’s not good for any of your body to not have the support that it needs. If you are in law enforcement or security then military combat boots are the standard uniform requirement. steel toed boots are required on a construction site. There are many professions that require that you wear boots to work. Here are a few things that you can do to protect your body besides making sure you have the proper fit of boot.
At Home Foot Care
When you get home, immediately take off your military combat boots or work boots. It’s a good idea to put them outside where they can air out and get rejuvenated. Even if you don’t feel like you put any extra strain on your back or legs during them, try icing your feet. Massage and elevation are also good techniques. Standing for long periods of time can cause swelling and inflammation over time. A bucket of water and ice for 20 minutes, a good foot rub and propping your feet up above the level of your heart are some great ways to make sure your feet are taken care of and thus so is the rest of your body when it comes to standing and walking all day.
Stretching Exercises
Even while you are at work you could be doing some stretches to relax and lengthen your muscles. About one an hour or so, try and stop to dd a couple of these stretches. Calf raises will help to pump any pooled blood from your feet back to the body. To do a calf raise you’ll want to stand on the edge of a step on your toes with your heels hanging down. You should feel the stretch along your calves right away. Raise your heels a few inches above the step and stand on your tiptoes. Hold, lower and repeat. The runner’s stretch is another good one. This one is done by standing with your hands against a wall. As you push one leg behind your body, force your heel into the floor and hold. You should feel the stretch. Repeat on each leg.
Taking a Break
If at all possible, try and sit down for a couple of minutes every so often. This will give your body the opportunity to pump blood differently instead of pooling it in the feet, especially if you have to stay standing in one spot. If you aren’t allowed to sit, depending on your job, there are various things you can do. For example, if you are in a security position, you could squat down to check a bag instead of bringing it up to the counter. Or in a construction zone, squat to pick up tools from the ground and hang there for a second before coming back up.
Body Positioning
How you stand is directly related to the type of pressure that you are putting on your back, legs and feet. Try to notice when you are slouching or hunching. Your shoulders should be back and check out slightly. Having your head held high not only gives you better posture but helps you to be able to be more aware of your surroundings. Don’t stand with all your weight leaning to one side. Distribute your weight evenly among your feet. Change the position of your arms periodically to get the blood moving.
Don’t think that because you are wearing good military combat boots that you are automatically going to protect your feet. Sure, they are better than other types of shoes for standing and for protection but you need to keep in mind all of the above tips. These will help you to be able to keep your job long term. You wouldn’t have to quit for health problems because you hadn’t been caring for yourself.
