There’s a lot of debate out there about whether slippers are actually good for your feet. They’re comfortable, after all, but some criticism in recent years has led to some people proclaiming that they aren’t actually good for your feet. Looking after your feet is important, and making sure they stay healthy could have a big impact on your overall health. Did you know that many other problems like back issues and posture problems start with the feet? That means they need looking after.
The reality is that there isn’t one clear answer as to whether slippers are either good or bad for your feet. As with lots of things, there are pros and cons. It’ll also depend on what your feet are like and what other issues you might have. But the biggest thing that plays a role in whether slippers are good for you or not is the type of actual slipper you’re wearing. There are loads, and some of them are much better for your feet than you might think. In this article, we’re going to look at a few different types of slippers as well as going into a bit more detail about which might be better for your feet. Keep reading to find out more…
It depends on the type of slippers
To really answer the question of whether slippers are good for your feet, we have a look at a few different types of slippers and the issues they might be causing. Aside from the actual type of slipper, other factors play a role like how healthy your feet are in general, as well as the quality of the slipper, how often you wear them and a range of other things. But the first thing we can look at is the type of slipper.
You might be used to wearing a slip-on slipper that’s easy to put on and comfortable. After all, they’re called “slippers” for a reason. These are the original type of slipper and they could be the one you’re most used to. But they might not actually be the best for your feet.
One issue with these types of slippers is that they don’t create the best posture when walking. Because they’re easy to slip on, they’re easy to slip off. That means a shuffling or unusually forward-moving walk might be created as you try not to lose them. This isn’t that common, and if you have a good pair of well-fitting slippers you might be able to avoid it. But altering your posture when walking can cause join and even back issues. Walking correctly has a massive impact on your overall health and many issues with joints and backs start with incorrect posture or if you aren’t walking right. Many of these issues often start with footwear, so it’s something you need to keep an eye on.
Another reason why these types of slippers might not be the best for your feet is because they can cause a lot of dryness on the underside or sole of your foot. These issues can be particularly apparent with older people, especially those who don’t look at the underneath of their feet very often and won’t spot an issue until it has already become serious.
These issues are often created simply from wearing slippers too much. That doesn’t, in itself, mean that slippers are actually bad for your feet. Traditionally, people only used slippers in the morning when they got up, or a bit before bed at night. Over time, because of their comfort, slippers became more popular and many people kept them on all day This isn’t recommended. As with many things, moderate use is the best way to go about things. You especially shouldn’t wear slippers outside or when doing any strenuous activity. They don’t offer the support you might need.
The repetitive friction of these sorts of slippers is what creates dryness and burns. This can be hard to spot and you may only notice when you start bleeding or when the problem has become much more serious. Dry skin can lead to callouses and cracks. This could become a much bigger problem during the winter months as well.
Many of these issues are created from slip on slippers without the proper support or backing. But that’s not the only type of slipper available. As you can probably therefore imagine, a much better slipper option is one that has a full back like a normal shoe. These will not create the same friction issues, and will also help you walk properly so as not to shuffle and cause posture issues. These types of slippers are much better for your feet and for prolonged use. Don’t worry if you’ve still got normal slippers, these are ok as long as you’re careful. Try to only wear them for an hour or so all day and do not use them outside or for lengthy periods. Make sure you don’t shuffle when walking, either.
You can also get orthotic slippers that give you additional support and can help back issues. These might need to be fitted by an expert, but they can be a much more supportive option than normal slippers. As you can see already, a lot of the issues associated with some types of slippers simply disappear if you spend the time and money needed to find the right pair for you. That’s why we can’t really say that slippers are “bad” for you, it really does depend on the type of slipper, as well as how often you use them and how you walk in them.
Hopefully, you now know a bit more about what’s good and bad about certain sorts of slippers. Now you know what to look for when you need some new ones, or how to use your existing slippers in a more healthy and sustainable way.
0 comments