Foot health is Your health!

Our feet are very important, yet we as humans tend to care for our cars more than our feet. When we think about feet, it’s the part of our body that takes us where we want to go. Without healthy feet, your entire posture is affected. And in our world, our shoes are designed to deform our feet. We are told we should walk on clouds and our shoes are softer and narrower. The truth is that our feet have been made to walk on hard ground that is uneven. Ther truth is that our feet should be wide, yet all our shoes are narrow. When you look at the photo of two feet which one do you think is healthier? Just by looking at it. One of those feet have been deformed into an unnatural shape that is affecting the entire posture. We are not told to stretch our feet, massage our feet or exercise our feet. No one ever taught us to take care of our feet properly.

I made a switch to bare foot shoes couple of years ago. It’s when I was learning more natural way to live, and I was actively changing my lifestyle. The transition was not easy. I got my first pair from Vivobarefoot (not affiliated) and I wore them for one hour around the house for probably two months, just to get used to them. They are not easy to get used to them. For people who do not exercise and have weak back muscles it will be even harder. Still, I believe it is worth it. I also used toe spacers for ten minutes per day, twice a day for some time. I started stretching my feet (many videos on you tube teach this). Once I made a final switch, I know I will not go back to regular, narrow shoes. I used to suffer from low back pain when I would stand for too long, even washing the dishes and it was eliminated when I made the switch to bare foot shoes. I can stand taller now. Overall, the improvement in my posture is significant.

When your feet are deformed, it affects your legs. When your legs are affected by your feet, your hips will become affected, your back and next, your shoulders will be affected. All because you simply wore your shoes that squeezed your toes all day long. For me, it is not as much about the zero drop insoles, but more for the comfort of my toes. Do your toes have enough room to stretch when you walk. I tried different brands, and I do like them. For walking on pavement I like the Lems, for trail waking I like Earthrunners or Be Lenkas. For the gym, I like Xero shoes. For going out I like Be Lenkas or Origo Shoes.

Yes, you may say it’s another investment and it is. Depending on what you are looking for, some are more expensive and others are less. The major investment here is in your time and energy getting used to new form for your feet. Some people feel like their posture feels unstable. I like to get regular chiropractor’s adjustments, just to make sure it’s not me. The process of change may be faster for some, but don’t rush through it. This is your health we are talking about it. If you can’t afford a change right now, just make sure the next pair of sneakers you buy is wide. This will already help your toes. Retraining your feet is just as possible as retraining your brain. You can do it. I would not go back to regular shoes.