Across the world, millions of people are struggling to maintain healthy levels of physical activity. The problem can be traced to two primary causes: increasingly sedentary living and working desk jobs where sitting is the norm for hours at a time.
Those concerned about inactivity have the option to pursue careers that involve lots of standing and walking. But that creates a new problem: maintaining their health and well-being while being on their feet most of the time.
If you work a job that requires you to be on your feet most of the time, the good news is there are ways to mitigate the negative effects. It comes down to six key components. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what you need if working on your feet all day:
Comfortable shoes
It goes without saying your feet need all the help they can get. That means wearing the right footwear. Many companies specialize in comfortable shoes for doctors, nurses, educators, and other professionals who find themselves on their feet for most of the day. These shoes provide the support your feet need without compromising on comfort and convenience. They’re also designed to be slip resistant and manufactured under sustainable standards.
Compression socks
Many professionals make the mistake of thinking socks aren’t an important factor in keeping their feet and legs feeling good throughout the day. The reality is compression socks go a long way in preventing the aches and pains we commonly associate with long spans of time spent standing and walking. What’s more, compression socks reduce swelling and increase circulation in the feet and legs. With this in mind, those who work on their feet need supportive compression socks to go with those comfortable shoes.
Lightweight sweater
Working on your feet can mean long stretches of standing mixed in with an equal amount of walking. As a result, it’s not unusual to find yourself feeling chilly one moment and overheated the next, especially if you need to walk briskly or take several flights of stairs to get from one place to another. With this in mind, we recommend keeping a light jacket or sweater with you throughout the day. That way, you can easily put it on and take it off as needed.
Pedometer
If you’re walking thousands of steps at work each day, you might as well get credit for them! Sure, you’re getting your steps either way, but wearing a fitness tracker, smartwatch, or standalone pedometer will keep you extra motivated to keep moving when your body wants to call it quits. You may even start a competition with yourself to see how many steps you can get in a single day. What’s more, a smartwatch includes additional features that may prove useful depending on your line of work.
Proper diet
Standing and walking requires more energy than most people think. Not only should you make a great effort to stay hydrated throughout the day, but you should also be eating a well-balanced diet. This will ensure you’re getting the nutrition needed to maintain adequate energy levels throughout the day. That way, you aren’t relying on snacks, sodas, and other unhealthy energy boosters to get you through your shift.
Good night’s sleep
In addition to proper nutrition, your body needs quality sleep in order to endure a full-time job where you’re constantly on your feet. With this in mind, it’s essential to maintain a regular sleep schedule in which you get a minimum of seven hours of quality sleep each night. While some schedules make it impossible to maintain a regular sleep schedule, those with standard daytime work hours should make an effort to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Doing so will ensure you have the energy you need to be on your feet all day.
While millions of people struggle with sitting too much, others find themselves on their feet all the time. If you’re someone with a job that requires several hours of standing and walking, you’ll need all the help you can get to avoid pain and discomfort and increase energy. By utilizing the factors listed above, you’ll be on your way in no time.
Alex Farina is a freelance writer from Ohio. He enjoys writing about design, fashion, nature, and technology.
