The extent of the Corona virus pandemic has affected our lives in various ways. Each person has been affected differently, from isolation from loved ones to loss of employment. However, the pandemic has introduced new behaviors, such as quarantine, that might be affecting your mental and physical health. So, while you’re focusing on keeping yourself safe from infection, check for these behaviors that might be affecting your feet.
1. Walking Barefoot
Now that you’re spending more time indoors, chances are high that you ditched wearing shoes a few days into the quarantine. Well, this might seem like giving your feet some rest from the regular bustle of the days before the pandemic. However, going barefoot is not as good as it seems. There is a high risk of ending up with food problems, including tendinitis, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis. Walking around the house without shoes deprives the tendons and ligaments of cushioning and support, putting them under stress.
Your arch is exposed to strain that develops into plantar fasciitis when you walk without shoes. Additionally, walking barefoot exposes the inside of the foot and ankle to stress, leading to tendinitis. 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 with high arches.
2. Home Exercise
The temporary closure of recreational centers and gyms is making people exercise in their living rooms. Others are going for runs and walks in their neighborhoods. Many now do Zumba, aerobics, and stretches while barefoot at home. Unfortunately, the habit increases the chances of fractures since it’s like going to a regular gym without shoes. An injury might happen anytime, exposing your ankle to sprain.
You have to consult the best podiatrists if you have any issues with your feet, including those resulting from home exercise. Conditions such as the ball of foot pain need professional attention and are common when you walk about a lot without shoes. Too much movement while working out exposes the joints to irritation because they lack cushioning to protect the bottom of the foot. Your foot springs without any support when you work out barefoot, leading to pain in the ball of the foot.
3. Weight Gain
The pandemic has encouraged being less active by making people stay home. Not being active like before is contributing significantly to weight gain. Besides, spending more time at home has made people resort to binge eating to beat the stress. The pandemic-inspired stay-at-home behavior makes indulging in sports hard.
All these new behaviors are significantly helping people gain weight. An increase in body weight in a short period of time puts the feet under intense pressure. So, whenever you walk around, especially barefoot, the bottom of your foot is exposed to immense pressure. This strains the plantar fascia ligament, making you likely to feel pain in the arch, heel, or both.
4. Home Activities
Now that you’re doing almost everything from home because of the pandemic, ditching footwear seems like a good idea. Unfortunately, this exposes your feet to various hazards that you can’t worry about when wearing shoes. Ignoring to wear shoes at home eliminates cushioning and makes your feet at risk of sores and calluses on the feet’ soles. Besides, you can’t rule out the possibility of stepping on a sharp object on the floor.
Home activities like preparing food in the kitchen or climbing a ladder put your feet at risk of dropping objects and slipping off. All these might result in injuries such as ankle sprains, lacerations, toe fractures, and foot sprains. Additionally, there is also a risk of breaking a toe when you knock on furniture that has been in a single place for years.
Learn To Protect Your Feet From Some Of The Above Problems
Consider getting some nice shoes to wear at home. The ideal home shoes have a good sole with enough cushioning inside. You can invest in a pair of nice running shoes or slippers with a supportive bottom layer. The rule of thumb is to ensure that the shoes match the shape of your feet. Additionally, get a cushioning mat for places where you spend the most time, such as the kitchen and standing desk. A nice anti-fatigue mat offers appropriate cushioning between the feet and floor.
If you’re a professional who spends long hours on your feet at work, such as in a mechanic’s shop or construction site, don’t forget to invest in the right footwear, like composite toe safety boots. These safety boots not only protect your feet but also provide support and cushioning, making them essential for ensuring your comfort and well-being, both at work and home.
Do some stretching exercises to strengthen your feet and enhance your range of motion. You just have to resist the urge to overdo the exercises. It is very tempting to pick a snack any time while working from home and spending more time indoors. However, make an effort to resist the urge so you don’t put stress on your joints that might lead to arthritis.
All in all, The coronavirus pandemic is encouraging behaviors that put your mental and physical wellbeing at risk. Self-quarantine at home is putting the foot at risk of various problems that were not common pre-Covid. A visit to a podiatrist is necessary to ensure that you can put your foot forward when life goes back to normal.
Also read: 10 Ways to Deal With Muscle Pain
