Cleaning out my closet a few weeks ago, I collected a pile of shoes I no longer wear. These were shoes I had collected over several years accumulated from different times of my life. Some were still functional, some old and worn, and others I call “shoe dreams” which I will explain later. All these shoes got me thinking about age and how our life changes and we adjust.
Perhaps you can relate to the number of shoes you have had during your life and how they seem to coincide with different ages and activities. Some types of shoes never change, but the style or design may be different. Others, as I like to refer as “shoe dreams,” are shoes beautiful to look at but are not functional for walking. They may have a heel that it just too high or the fit is just not right. These are the shoes that gather dust because they are too beautiful to part with, but you will never, if ever, wear. Did you know there have been studies showing personality based on a person’s shoes? For example, heels can project confidence, pumps – control, boots – laid back and go with the flow. This does not just apply to women either. Men’s shoes can also give many clues to their personality. Untied sneakers, socks with sandals, suede desert boots can all give you clues to laziness, style, as well as high and low maintenance characteristics.
Shoe Trivia
A bit of trivia that you may find interesting is the average person in the United States owns 19 pairs of shoes. In her book Footnotes, Suzanne Ferriss, PhD, reveals that people may not realize it, but shoes are a collector’s item and buying shoes triggers an area of the brain’s prefrontal cortex called the collecting spot.
I can tell you that my shoes have changed a lot over time. At one time my shoes were all high heels except for my running shoes, hiking boots and flip flops. Today I have a mixture but no real high heels and many more flats. Now when I buy shoes, I still look for style, but comfort and fit are most important. This is a relief because I enjoy being on my feet much more and can stand for hours without feeling the discomfort of cramped toes and stressed legs.
Something I noticed is I now look for shoes that are wider. I did not realize, but our feet change over time and tissue becomes less tight, which can cause increased width and sagging arches. As we age foot care becomes more important. By age 50, most American will have walked 75,000 miles according to a UCLA article. This would be comparable to walking around Earth’s equator three times! Taking care of your feet is important, so don’t ignore pain or problems.
Exercising Your Feet
One place to start with foot care is exercising your feet often. Exercising, as with overall health, can improve foot health plus may reduce risk of injury. It also can maintain blood circulation.
A great way to begin and best overall foot exercise is walking. Walking uses full range of motion and is great for your entire body. Try walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes several days a week. Find the right footwear. Don’t skimp because there is undeniably a variation in sneakers. Invest in good, well fitted, footwear to avoid injuries and problems. Have your foot measured and ask about other foot issues such as flat feet and pronation before looking at athletic footwear. Your shoe should be wide enough, the right length and accommodate without pressure. They should feel good and comfortable too.
Add to your walking program by combining flexibility and resistance exercises. You can do these types of exercises during your daily routine. You can improve your flexibility no matter how old and stiff you are by applying slow, gentle daily stretches to one group of muscles at a time.
An example of a flexibility exercise is to do a toe raise (lifting the heel off the floor), toe point (pointing the toe down on the floor) and toe curl (curling the toes under onto the floor with the heel lifted).
Resistance exercises work muscles. A good example is toe splay. This exercise works to improve control over the toe muscles. You can work with both feet at once and one at a time. First sit in a straight-backed chair with the feet resting on the floor. Spread the toes apart as far as possible without straining and hold in this position for five seconds. Repeat doing this motion for 10 times. Once you have built strength, you can add a rubber band around the toes to add more resistance.
As with all exercise, it is important to consult with your physician before beginning a new program or if you have arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or structural foot problems.
Taking The Transformation To The Next Level
Perhaps you have undergone changes in your shoe selection over the years and transformed the type and look of your footwear style. This doesn’t mean you must sacrifice your personal style in order to keep your feet in comfort. The choices for quality shoes are better than ever before. Many manufacturers today have focused on stylish footwear with cushion, cooling fabrics, soft leathers, and foot molds to help with pain-relief. Take care of your health and find the right shoe so you can enjoy being on your feet for a long time to come.
About The Author
Robin Anne Griffiths is a certified master development coach, personal trainer, behavior change consultant, and yoga instructor. She specializes as a movement instructor for senior populations. Her mission is to help with living a fuller and healthier life as you age. Her Better You Series is three unique programs tailored to help with positive changes in diet, fitness, and life direction. She works with groups and individuals on life transitions to create personal balance – physically and mentally. You can find more information at her website and read her blog.
