In Nigeria, fuel station attendants, law enforcement, hairdressers, bank customers and others all have one thing in common. These people fall into a unique category of people who stand for long hours in the course of going about their business. This should be okay but while standing is a natural human posture, doing so for long periods of time can cause sore feet, swollen legs, lower back pain, stiffness in the neck, and other health problems.
If you find yourself in such situations, doing these 7 things will give you some relief.
1. Wear comfortable shoes
Sandals, heels, and oxfords might be cute, but they are not ideal when standing for long hours. Put on shoes that fit you well and provide arch support. In such situations, shoes made of mesh or soft cotton are usually more comfortable, compared to leather.
2. Rock back & forth on your toes
This will help improve the circulation in your legs. Periodically lift up on your toes then go back to your starting position. You can repeat it as often as you like.
3. Avoid locking your knees when standing
Locking your knees is bad for both your legs and your feet because it places a lot of pressure on your legs over time. As you stand, ensure your feet are placed in a way that ensures your overall weight is evenly distributed.
4. Hold your hands behind your back
Crossing your arms in front of you can give you poor posture. To stay upright and maintain the right posture, keep your arms behind you. This pushes your shoulders up and out whenever your hands are not occupied with anything else.
5. Stretch regularly
Stretching is an excellent way to relax your muscles and correct your posture. The best part of it is that it is easy to execute anywhere you find yourself and you can do it while working or standing in a queue. Just be mindful of people standing close to you.
6. Invert your body later in the day
After standing all day, try to counteract some of the pressure gravity has exerted on your legs by inverting your body as shown here.
7. Get a massage
If you can squeeze it into your schedule and budget, book a massage session. An affordable option would be to treat your feet to a relaxing foot soak. In this case, all you need are a tub of hot water, Epsom salt and essential oils.
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You mentioned that we can maintain our bodies’ wellness via frequent stretching, right? I suppose my office security guard could benefit from this trick because his back would always be sore at the end of the day. Maybe visiting a wellness center could help him feel better eventually. http://www.floreymedical.com.au/medical-services