By Author/Blogger Reggie Simpson

30 Nov 2015

You may not be paying much attention to your feet, so it may come as a surprise that some of the seemingly normal things you do in your day to day life may be causing damage to their overall health.

Read on to discover five common mistakes that can contribute to damage and how to avoid them.

Running Incorrectly

As you run, you land on the supination (outside) of the foot, before rolling to the pronation (inside) of the foot and finally returning to the supination.

Those who over-pronate are affecting the way they land and push off from the ground, which can cause damage to the feet, shins, Achilles tendon, knees, hips and back.

To avoid over-pronating, try to place your foot correctly, buy better fitting running shoes or seek advice from a podiatrist.

Not Stretching your Feet

You may be used to stretching your body before or after a workout, but do you include your feet in the regime? It’s important to include foot stretches to prevent constriction and reverse the damage of wearing tight shoes on your toes.

Stretching will also strengthen your arches, which will lessen your risk of experiencing foot cramps.

Wearing the Wrong Socks

Socks are essential for working out as the foot has more sweat glands than anywhere else on the body. However, it’s important to ensure you’re wearing the correct kind. Choose a synthetic material over cotton as cotton socks are more likely to trap moisture which in turn could cause blisters or even encourage fungal infections.

Frequently Wearing High Heels

High heels can cause pain, bunions, corns or calluses when worn frequently. Try to explore other choices that will complement your wardrobe just as well – a great pair of flats can look just as stylish.

Putting Stress on your Feet

If you’re putting too much stress on a particular part of your foot, you will be at a much higher risk of developing calluses. Common areas include the big toe and the ball of the foot.

Try to avoid placing too much pressure on your feet by wearing comfortable shoes or cushioned inserts, or ask a podiatrist for further advice.

If you’ve been doing any of these without realising how they could affect you, try to consider the ways you could make simple changes and improve the health and condition of your feet.