It’s that time again! The Christmas carols are playing, the malls are packed full of people and if you’re in retail, the shifts are that much longer and harder on your feet. We can recall from our high-school days doing 12-hour standing shifts! Little did we know back then that this could lead to massively achy feet, legs, joint and muscles. So what can you do to reduce the toll on your feet this holiday season? Sole Motion Podiatry shares our top 6 tips! 

1. Invest in comfortable shoes.

We know from experience that many stores may have restrictions on the types of shoes you can wear. Typically they’ll need to be black, professional, maybe polishable and likely closed in. Whether you have restrictions or not, you can still find shoes that can support you and help you feel better for much longer – and NOT like you’re walking on hard concrete all day. Check the shoe has good cushioning, that there’s nothing that is tight or that rubs, nothing with a significant heel, and a shoe that supports your arch and ankle as opposed to an open-backed shoe.

2. Cushion hard surfaces

Retail store floors can be made from all sorts of materials these days. We’ve been noticing quite a few bare concrete floors in more boutique-style retail stores as they go for the minimalist and high-end feel. The upside? Trendy. The much more significant downside? Concrete is a tough surface for your feet. Many people will be working on tough surfaces for long periods. If this is you, we’d invest in a cushioned mat for behind the counter, or wherever you find yourself working often. Check with your boss – but if it decreases your soreness and increases your happiness (and hence service or productivity), we don’t imagine it’d be an issue.

3. Consider how you get to and from work

We hope that with such long shifts, you’re not having to walk all the way to work too. But if you are, make sure you’re doing so in a comfortable and supportive pair of sneakers and not in your work shoes. You’ve got to give your feet as much of a break as you can!

4. Take a moment to stretch

Seems a little too simple, right? Stretching gets the blood flowing and the muscles working, which will get you feeling better in the long run (especially towards the end of that 12-hour shift) if you do it regularly. Your muscles will be less stiff and painful, and your future self will thank you!

5. When you get home

When you get home, take your shoes and socks off, pop your feet up on the couch or elevate them in some way, and take a nice, deep breath, knowing you’ve survived another day knowing your feet haven’t fallen off. We’re kidding. Sort of. Aside from elevating your feet, you can give them a gentle massage to stretch out those tired muscles (or get your significant other too – doctor’s orders!) and if your feet are swollen, immerse them in cold water for 20 minutes. This will help to repair any damage from the day faster – and trust us, you’ll have plenty of micro-tears after being on your feet for so long.

6. Get help if pain develops!

Finally, and by no means the least important, if any pain develops, don’t hesitate to see your Podiatrist. Pain is a sign that something is wrong and that damage is occurring. If you’re continuing to do these long shifts, we can almost guarantee that the pain will only get worse – because when will your feet have a chance to recover when you’re on them all day? Come in and see our expert team – we’ve been where you are! We’ll be able to reduce your risk of further injury and get your feet healthy and happy so that you can enjoy your holiday break after the mad rush.

For any questions or to make an appointment, give us a call on 1300-FX-FEET