After a long day with our feet stuck in tight, stiff, narrow or uncomfortable shoes, many of us want to wiggle our toes with joy when we get home. It's exciting to be barefoot and feel the floorboards or carpet under our feet. But is walking barefoot at home a breather for our feet or can it cause any harm?
The answer could vary. It's okay to go barefoot, but it's not for everyone. Experts say that we should not walk barefoot all the time, since the foot is not designed to walk on hard surfaces all the time.
During the pandemic, many people have been spending more time on their feet; shifts have been longer for people working in supermarkets and hospitals, for example. However, many office workers stopped wearing shoes and spent more time barefoot. This caused an increase in foot problems.
Effects of going barefoot
Going barefoot while doing our morning chores (brushing teeth, making coffee, picking up the kids) is unlikely to cause us any problems. It's the longer periods of being barefoot that lead to potential problems.
When people are used to being supported by shoes and then go barefoot all day, certain tendons and ligaments become stretched and stressed more than normal. This can cause pain and discomfort, and also cause (or aggravate) several common foot conditions, such as:
- Plantar fasciitis:e deeply painful and all too common. This foot condition occurs when the tissue that connects the heel to the ball of the foot is damaged or torn. And while plantar fasciitis sometimes occurs for an unknown reason, new or increased activity could be a factor. Wearing supportive shoes and not going barefoot is one of several potential remedies for plantar fasciitis.
- Tendonitis: Various tendons are present in the feet, connecting the muscles to the bones. With tendonitis, inflammation occurs in that tissue and causes pain.
- Morton's neuroma: Walking barefoot can exacerbate Morton's neuroma, a condition characterized by pain or numbness in the ball of the foot or toes. The risk of developing this condition is increased if we wear narrow heels or shoes with a small toe box, and if we have flat feet, certain medical conditions (such as bunions), or if we play sports that place a lot of weight on the ball of the foot. The best shoes for Morton's neuroma have a wide toe box, good arch support, and cushioning in the forefoot.
- flat feet: People with flat feet generally feel better when supported by a good shoe. Walking barefoot puts a strain on the foot for people with flat feet and can lead to aches and pains or cause other common foot problems.
Also, wearing something on your feet can protect you from the agony of stepping on a tack, a sharp-edged toy, or stubbing your little toe. This is uncomfortable for anyone, but it's a bigger concern for people who have diabetes and a condition known as peripheral neuropathy (also known as numb feet). These people could step on a sharp object but not feel pain, which is an important signal that allows us to know how to clean and bandage a wound.
However, if our feet do not hurt and, in general, we do not have any problems, it's ok to go barefoot at home. Just keep in mind that support can always be used from time to time. Spending a lot of time barefoot can cause problems. And it is better to prevent a problem than to treat it. You don't have to wait until you have pain, a symptom of a problem, to develop good habits, like wearing slippers inside the house. It's like waiting until you have health problems to start eating healthy and exercising. Prevention is key in general health, as well as foot health.
Are there benefits?
If we are passionate about freeing our feet from the shoes, we can do it in moderation. There are no contracted benefits of going barefoot all the time, although there are no drawbacks either.
However, there are some small advantages to consider. It is undeniable that a certain pleasure is felt when touching the ground with your feet, and they can feel free and airy. Also, it works for some small intrinsic muscles in the feet, as going barefoot can give them a little workout. When barefoot, people tend to spread their toes a bit more and can improve their flexibility.
It can also help with balance. When you are barefoot, we can feel the ground. This is helpful for balance, which can be a concern for some older adults.
What shoes to wear at home?
Wearing the same shoes inside the house that we wear on the street is disgusting. After all, they've probably come into contact with dog urine on the streets, and who knows what other rough edges. Supportive slippers, or even a pair of dedicated sneakers, are recommended for those who don't prefer slippers or feel more stable in something that's tied up.
Some characteristics to take into account when choosing a shoe or slipper are:
- be comfortable: If we don't like wearing them, we won't wear them at home either.
- Provide arch support: These help by distributing body weight across the feet and cushioning the impact of walking.
- Having an cushioning and shock absorption: It is recommended to avoid thin, flat and flimsy slippers. Flip flops are also generally prohibited. Having some cushioning is particularly important as we age, and the natural fat pads on the bottom of our feet begin to atrophy. With our own natural cushioning diminished, having a shoe or slippers at home helps.
And, once it is time, we must buy a new pair of slippers or slippers to walk around the house. We will replace slippers if there are signs of wear or if the soles appear to be uneven.