Why are you putting this body part in a sling?
They’re protected and babied and probably more money spent on them than any other part of your body. New ways to shelter them and give them the ability to carry you around keep popping up … and at an ever-increasing expense.
And, yet – again – nature gave you what you need. You’re just not using it.
Guess what? I’m really using mine … finally. And I’ve been told I shouldn’t since the ripe ol’ age of 10. That’s a lot of decades of misinformation I’m countering.
And what’s fun is that the way I’m allowing mine to strength and grow makes such a cool conversation starter. I’ve met some great people who quiz me about what I’m doing. (And I’ve gotten a couple dirty looks – can’t quite figure that one out, but it still amuses me. It’s their issue, not mine.)
What’s going on? I’ve stopped believing that my feet need to be held, in effect, in a sling. And I’ve been flat footed forever and a day. But guess what? I swear I’m beginning to see baby arches in my feet! And my feet were so solidly flat that you could use the bottoms as some sort of level, I swear.
As I said long ago, I go barefoot a bit more often. I’ve eased out of the idea I was given of: Oh my gosh, you have to wear custom orthotics and supportive shoes every moment of every day! But, in addition to going barefoot a bit some around the house, I wear Vibram Five Fingers to work out and run and hike (and sometimes to run errands because they are so massively comfortable).
The question I get the most is: But what about arch support? The answer: I’m allowing my feet to build that back in. And it appears to be working. And, in the meantime, it still feels much better than all that support did.
As my daughter, a clinical massage therapist, explained to me: If you put your arm in a sling for years, would you be able to use it normally? Would you build any normal muscle tone? The same is true for your feet. There are muscles there that can become stronger. If you begin exercising and walking around barefoot (or in barefoot-simulating shoes), you increase your balance, improve how the muscles are aligned, reduce foot pain, get your body’s natural shock absorber to start working again and lessen the chance of injury. When you use all the arch supports and orthotics, that is like putting your arm in a sling.
I know, I know – it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? It has been for me, too, and I’m usually an early adopter of alternative views about health.
If this information puzzles you, just give the idea a try. Gradually. See how you feel. What happens if you don’t wear those super-supportive insoles and/or shoes for an hour or two? How do your feet feel? Try something like VFFs, and see what the results are. I found out quickly that my feet felt way better in them vs. my custom-made orthotics in supportive athletic shoes or hiking shoes.
It’s not like I have perfect feet either. As I noted above, they’re flat … or flat-ish at this point! I have some arthritis in my right foot. (Which is where being barefoot may have hurt me – but if you didn’t previously own a huge dog who stepped on your foot half the time when he headed out the door, you’re probably good to go!)
Natural, back to basics, safe, effective health is built on an open-mind. You have to be willing to try, as long as it’s not dangerous. Remember that our bodies, including our feet, were designed to get us around nicely. We were given what we need.
I’ll be curious to hear what you think. But, one note: Please, please, this isn’t about any foot fetish thing. So, thanks anyway, but spare me those comments and emails! I am probably the anti-foot fetish person. I think feet are icky. But we need them. And I like mine to get me around comfortably. But they are simply a means to an end. I’d ignore them if I could. And I really have no desire to go barefoot outdoors much, except maybe in some lush park … maybe! Therefore, the VFFs – perfect combo. No worry about stepping in weird ick, but I still get the barefoot benefits. However, if you love being barefoot outside or all the time or whatever, I’m cool with that. For you. I just really don’t want to dialogue about it; thanks!
Live well, live happy
“To live is the rarest thing in the world.
Most people exist, that is all.”
~ Oscar Wilde
7 quick ways to ease the tireds
It hits you, and it’s rough — that worn out, run down feeling that feels as if you had a tank of gas quite awhile ago, but it’s been on empty for the last 100 miles. You’re on fumes at this point. You’re tired, and all you want to do is lie down. You don’t want anyone bothering you, and you sure don’t want anyone telling you to do anything different.
Fatigue in all its forms — from a simple slump to utter inability to get through the day — is so insidious. It can sneak in, bit by bit, until you don’t even realize how far downhill you’ve gone.
This is the number one complaint of many people. They’re tired. End of story. And I’m not surprised it’s become the number one complaint. Look at our lifestyles, and it’s evident. We sleep too little, and go too much. We eat food that doesn’t fuel life. We go all the time, but none of that involves things that renew our body and keep it well: play, connection, stress relief, movement.
Of course, fatigue can be just one symptom of any number of diseases. So, you may need to explore further. But, if you suspect a few changes might be what you really need, here are some things to try:
Move
Honestly, sometimes when you’re tired, you’re simply tired from not getting your body off the couch, out of the office chair, out of the car. Your body is designed to be in motion. A body in motion stays in motion. So try some form of movement, and see what happens. Do you feel better? Can you do it? How do you feel afterward? What can you accomplish after moving your body?
I swear this is the most important one. When you’re slumped in your chair and sure you can’t get through, stand up and at least walk around. If you can, go outside and get some sun and fresh air. Just that bit may help a lot.
I know there are times — rare but existent — that I think: I canNOT go to the gym and do a work out. (One of my forms of movement.) But I know that’s not really the fact much of the time. So I go. I come back, and I’m ready to roll. Ready and with enough energy to do much more than I would’ve thought. That movement is like putting gas in the tank. And, heck, changing the oil! And anything else that keeps my machine — my body — operating nicely.
Drink
No, not THAT kind of drink! And no weird “energy” drinks either. Water. Pure, refreshing water your body may be in serious need of. Many of us are suffering from chronic dehydration. And dehydration kills your energy as well as impacting your overall health.
Rest
If it’s earlier in the day, try a nap. Not a long sleep, a nap. 15-20 minutes. Don’t force yourself to sleep. If sleep doesn’t come, just look at it as rest. Again, notice how you feel afterward, and you’ll get the clues you need.
If it’s later in the day, go to bed earlier! Yes, really. You can do it. You’ll do it if you end up ill so just do it … now.
Meditate
Yes, I said the m word! Meditation is calming, but it also can energize you by allowing your body and mind to rest for awhile. You don’t have to go study in India, learn how to transform yourself into a pretzel and chant for hours. 15 minutes again; it’ll help.
Skip the fake
Fake sugar, fake this, energy drinks full of chemicals. Plastic food. Not food that fuels you up. Eat something real. Whole grain bread or crackers. A good fat — good cheese, avocado, almond butter. Fruit with some protein – almonds, say — to slow the sugar spike. Almonds themselves make a great snack. Lara Bars are amazing — real food that tastes good and is easy to keep around.
Remember oxygen?
Breathe … the right way. Deeply in, filling your lungs and abdomen. Deeply out. It’s sad, but we don’t even take the time to breathe right anymore. We have to be instructed. This is a few minute energy boost. Stop, close your eyes, focus on a few deep breaths. How do you feel?
And, finally, your brain
Thinking that the sky is falling is a huge energy drain. Find the positives. Stop talking so much to Negative Nel. Find something that makes you laugh or say, “Awwwww!” Express your gratitude. Do something nice for someone.
Trust that you’re worthy
“We do not believe in ourselves
until someone reveals that deep inside us
something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch.
Once we believe in ourselves
we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight
or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
~ E.E. Cummings
