Feet First

As soon as the cold weather descends upon us, our bodies are working overtime, trying to protect us from harsh winds, snowfall, and other unpredictable conditions. Winter in Toronto often means ice and snow under foot, and every storm creates a unique set of hazardous conditions and unstable surfaces, both indoors and out. Healthy feet are one of your first lines of defence.

Your quality of life is directly related to your ability to be self-sufficient—capable of performing daily activities like walking, shopping, participating socially with friends and family, working and playing. If your feet hurt or you have other foot problems, you’re less likely to function at your best. If you modify your gait to avoid a painful bunion, for example, your posture and balance will be affected, making you more vulnerable to falling, or other injuries.

Good foot health is also important if your job demands that you be on your feet for any significant amount of time. Poor foot health can harm work performance, resulting in lost time and productivity, and lower job efficiency and effectiveness.

While below zero temperatures and shorter days might make you want to hibernate, staying active is key to keeping agile during the winter months. Although the research is still up for debate, there does appear to be a link between colder temperatures and an increase in inflammation, so if you are managing arthritis or other autoimmune disorders that make you prone to joint stiffness, cold weather can contribute to an uptick in these symptoms. Your feet (combined) make up 25% of your body’s bones, 18% of its joints, and 6% of its muscles. Doing damage to any of these parts can cause serious harm to your body and affect how (and whether or not) you complete your daily tasks.

Movement is an important part of staying nimble on your feet, even in your clunkiest winter footwear. So, it follows that one of the best ways to stay healthy is by moving, whether it’s through activities like running/walking, weight lifting, cleaning your house, or Pilates, of course. Staying active does take its toll on our feet, which tend to suffer more wear and tear than the rest of the body, but pressure and movement can also affect your knees, hips and entire spine. Hold onto your socks, however, because we’ve got some strategies to keep your feet fit.  Visit us on Instagram all month for videos and more of our favourite exercises to keep your feet fit for winter!