How do pandemics have adverse effects on our feet?

It’s been more than a year, and coronavirus has changed our world as we know it. It has affected us mentally and physically. Lockdowns are still continuing in places where the pandemic is spreading fast and claiming lives. In all other places, strict quarantine and social distancing laws are in place to ensure the safety of citizens.

The transition to work from home has led to more people not wearing shoes every day as they previously had when leaving the house. Now they spend most of their time barefoot or wearing slippers. Office going people have been working in their pyjamas and wearing sandals and slippers at home.

Barefoot or wearing slippers can cause health problems?

However, the so-called comfortable footwear has actually led to health problems, with many having developed ‘lockdown feet’. during the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms and recreational sports have closed temporarily, leading most people to work out in their living room and go for runs and walks around the neighbourhood. People are doing high-impact exercises at the gym without shoes! That’s what people are doing at home.” Exercising barefoot is leading to foot strains and ankle sprain and overuse injuries.

What can you do to avoid injuries?

You need to change your exercise routine to minimize overuse injuries. In addition to walking and running, try cycling, stairs and yoga. Also, you need to immobilize the foot with a walking boot or an ankle brace,” he says. “You may also have to make lifestyle changes, such as limiting exercise for a while, and that’s not what people want to hear during this pandemic.” Please use sandals with a good amount of support, which are easy to slip on and take off—as opposed to a traditional closed-toe sneaker.” People are roaming in the house and apartment and it’s proving dangerous without foot support. They are stubbing their toes against furniture and corners.

You need to look at these behaviours that might be affecting your feet.

You are walking barefoot that causes injuries in your feet. There is a high risk of ending up with food problems including tendinitis, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis. It also deprives the tendons and ligaments of cushioning and support putting them under stress. Also not wearing shoes eliminates support for the heel and ball of the foot putting them under intense pressure. This might result in foot problems for people having high arches. There are Conditions such as the ball of foot pain that needs professional attention and are common when you walk about a lot without shoes.

What are the other factors that affect our feet?

You are exposing your feet to various hazards that you can’t worry about when wearing shoes. If you don’t wear shoes at home which eliminates cushioning and makes your feet at risk of sores and calluses on the feet` soles. Home activities like preparing food in the kitchen or climbing a ladder put your feet at risk of dropped objects and slipping off. It might result in injuries such as ankle sprain, laceration, toe fracture, and foot sprain.

How can you protect your feet from injuries?

Please wear some nice and comfortable shoes at your home. You should invest in good shoes and comfortable slippers. Also please get a cushioning mat for places where you spend the most time such as the kitchen and standing desk. You can do stretching exercises for your feet and enhance your range of motion. Also, you don’t have to overdo your workout sessions. Please try to make an effort to resist the urge so you don’t put stress on your joints that might lead to arthritis.

Due to the global pandemic, our mental and physical health is at risk. Also, quarantine and lockdown time is putting all the risk at our feet. It is necessary to ensure that you can put your foot forward when life goes back to normal.

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