Finding the Right Footing at Home

In the opening of the 1994 film, Forrest Gump looks down at a nurse's shoes at a bus stop and says, "Mama always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. Where they going, where they been."

He's not wrong. For example, people have always been very passionate about "the rules" when it comes to what to wear on their feet in the house. Some people walk in with the shoes they wore to the store, while others opt for socks, slippers, bare feet or even special "inside shoes."

This may be a cultural practice for some, while for others, it's about keeping your house free of dirt and germs. However, one way to settle the debate is to consider the health of your feet.

Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and a combination of 120 muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. And while you might not think about it, you're on your feet a lot. Studies estimate the average person stands for about four hours and walks 5,000 steps per day.

With so much use, it's no wonder that up to 87% of people experience foot pain at some point in their lifetimes. That pain can—no pun intended—put a cramp in our lifestyle when it comes to working, exercising, walking or even keeping up with the grandkids. If that pain makes us less active, it also can lead to weight gain, weaker muscles and lower heart function.

Several things can contribute to foot pain, including medical conditions like diabetes and age-related changes to your foot structure. The natural padding of the heels and balls of your feet may decrease over time, your arches may flatten or your joints could become stiff or less flexible.

However, wearing the wrong shoes or going barefoot also can increase the risk of strains, stress fractures and aches due to the lack of support and shock absorption—especially on hard floors in your house.

In fact, podiatrists have reported an uptick in foot conditions since COVID-19. They believe it's due to more people working from home, where they may pay less attention to their footwear choices.

The good news is that indoor-only footwear can reduce the risk of strains in addition to protecting you from bacteria and preventing injuries like stubbing your toe or stepping on something painful (like a Lego). It also can lessen back, hip and knee pain from going shoeless.

So, what type of shoe should you wear in the house? Many podiatrists suggest clogs, slip-on sneakers or sandals that support your arches. You also can add orthopedic inserts to existing footwear to promote foot health and comfort. However, slippers with bendable soles don't quite make the cut.

Just remember, if you're going indoor shoe shopping, try them on in the late afternoon or evening when the feet are at their peak size. The shoe should also hug your heels but not constrict your toes.

Because, as Forrest's mama said, the right shoes can take you anywhere.

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