Healthy High Heel Habits
High heels have copped a fair bit of flack from the media recently, and in all honestly, they probably deserve it. But, lets face it, with the fashion industry as it is, high heels aren't exactly going anywhere. Whilst no high heels are essentially good for you, it is a fact that some are better than others.
Most girls feel that high heels not only make their legs look longer but make them feel sexier as well. The good news is that if we adopt some healthy high heel habits we can certainly decrease the impact that they have on our feet. But do this we must be smart about it.
1) Keepheels that are over 4.5cm’s as “sometimes shoes” for events that require more posing than walking. Anna Morgan's 1st rule of high heel wearing is "the height of the heel should be inversely proportional the amount of walking you do"- in other words : the higher the heel the less walking your should be planning to do in them.
2) Don’t wear shoes that are either too large or small for your feet.
3) Cushion your shoes with gel products and paddings when possible. These gel supports and protectors can help to stop blisters, skin irritations or worse. However, try to remember that not all gels are suitable for all shoes, so a little trial and error my be required. Note: if shoes are already too tight, then adding cushions to them is only going to make them worse.
4) Wear more sensible styled heels such as those with a broader toe areas and wider heel bases.
5) When possible, buy shoes with inbuilt padding on the soles for added comfort.
6) If possible, try and go for heels that are more supportive such as those that have ankle straps. The reason for this is that it increases the stability and support of the shoe and stops your toes from having to claw to keep your shoe on. It also helps from stopping your feet from jamming too far forwards in the shoes.
7) If in pain, change your shoes. If the pain lasts longer than a day after removing your shoes, get it checked out by a podiatrist.
These are only a handful of hints to help you on your way to more comfortable heels. Always remember that different feet act differently in different types of shoes so the more you know your feet, the smarter you can be.
