While the pandemic had us locked up in our homes, focusing on downing the vitamin C and zinc, most of us forgot about the havoc that quarantine was wreaking on our feet. Slippers and flip-flops have become the most relied-upon shoes over the course of a year, and waltzing back into the office wearing dress shoes have plenty of society struggling to find relief from newfound foot pain.
Working from Home: Good for the Soul, Bad for the Feet
Just as you likely began to fall in love with your at-home work set-up, that email pops up notifying you that in-office work is starting back up. Loungewear was all the rage throughout the pandemic. After slipping and sliding across the floor in your beloved fuzzy socks every day—living your best life—stepping into 2019’s work shoes might have you thinking, “How on earth did I ever wear pumps for eight hours every day?” But you’re certainly not alone.
The Culprit
Fortunately, foot experts have weighed in on the subject. Believe it or not, although avoiding your tight-fitting, restrictive shoes for more than a year has been nothing less than freeing, your feet have likely reshaped to adapt to adapt to their new, shoeless environment. That said, you might find it tough to fit into your old shoes. The quick resume in activities, like work or the gym, might be putting excessive, unfamiliar pressure on your feet, leading to a development in various foot issues, including the notorious bunion.
Time to Swap Out the Slippers
Shoes are essential in managing foot pain, and mindfully investing in shoes that support your feet will significantly lessen any foot pain you may be experiencing. Here are a few shoe characteristics that can help relieve bunion pain or prevent it from worsening in the future:
- A wide shoe base
- Laces or fastening instead of slip-ons
- Soft or stretchy lining
- Arch support rather than flat soles
While shoes are a considerable contributor to pain, treatment options for painful bunions are also available. The Bunion Bootie is a comfortable and easy-to-wear bunion splint that you can wear with or without shoes to find relief from bunion pain and prevent them from worsening over time. Made of soft, breathable fabric, it feels great against your skin. Plus, the design is discreet enough to wear in public for added comfort. If lockdown feet got you down, the Bunion Bootie is a beneficial option for taking care of your feet and relieving bunion pain that may have developed since returning to work post-pandemic.