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The holiday shopping season is here. This means hours of walking through the mall, standing in line and ultimately putting added stress on your feet. There are a few tips you can follow to make the season a little more foot-friendly.

Holiday shopping is like a marathon, and it is essential to wear the appropriate shoes. The ideal shoes are comfortable and well-fitted, providing support similar to that found in walking or running shoes. Shoe inserts can be used for added support if needed.

Avoid wearing heels, flip-flops or shoes that are too tight or constraining. Heels may look great, but they tire out the feet quickly and could increase the risk of trips and falls. Flip-flops do not provide sufficient foot and ankle support.

Marathon shopping usually means a lot of packages or extra weight to carry. Be mindful and try to travel light. Carrying a lightweight purse will help make up for the extra weight of added packages and boxes. A good tip is to frequently unload packages and boxes into the car as you are shopping to avoid carrying too much weight.

Taking breaks throughout the shopping day gives your feet and legs a rest. During the breaks, you can stretch the calf muscles with simple stretches or even elevate your feet on a bench to take the pressure off and reduce shopping-related swelling.

If you have diabetes, you should take special care during lengthy shopping trips. Remember to pay attention to your feet throughout the day to ensure that blisters or cuts do not develop, as these could lead to lasting problems. Examine your feet after a day of shopping to look for signs of any problems and consult your physician if you discover a problem.

Following this advice can prevent many problems caused by prolonged periods of time on your feet. Many people get distracted by the rush of holiday shopping and push themselves through the pain. It is important to pay attention to your body during the shopping season. You do not want to end up with problems preventing you from fully enjoying the holidays with family and friends.

 

Dr. Susan Girardo received her doctorate degree in podiatric medicine and surgery from William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago, Illinois. A Chicago native, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in cellular biology. After receiving her doctorate, she went on to complete her residency training in surgical treatment of the foot and ankle at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. Dr. Girardo accepted a staff position at Ochsner following the completion of her residency training in 2019. Dr. Girardo’s expertise is in diabetic wound care, limb salvage, and foot and ankle surgery. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Girardo at Ochsner Health Center – River Parishes, 502 Rue de Santé, LaPlace, please call 985-652-3500 or schedule online at Ochsner.org.