On your feet all day? Tips to keep feet and legs feeling great

A growing number of deskbound office workers are choosing to stand at their workstations, hoping to reap the health benefits associated with working while upright. Yet millions of Americans, such as nurses, waitresses, factory workers and more, don't have a choice about standing on their feet all day. For many of them, working on their feet has the potential to negatively affect their bodies, their mental well-being and even their productivity.

According to a recent survey by Wakefield Research, many standing workers said they felt less productive. And those who are on their feet for more than four hours a day also felt the effects in their personal lives, having skipped exercise, foregone socializing with friends, skipped playtime with their kids and let household chores slide due to leg and foot discomfort.

If you're among the millions of Americans who have to work on their feet, here are some tips to help relieve discomfort related to standing for long periods of time:

__* Wear the right shoes.__ If you're on your feet all day, avoiding dress shoes and high heels may be obvious, but you still may not be wearing the best shoe for your needs. Choose shoes made for people who stand a lot. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers tips for buying shoes and a list of APMA-approved footwear on its website, www.apma.org. No matter what type of shoe you choose, be sure it fits properly and offers plenty of support.

__* Choose the right legwear.__ Socks and stockings can have a big impact on comfort, so look for legwear designed for people who are on their feet a lot. Legwear should never irritate, and should allow your feet and legs to breathe. If your ankles typically swell by the end of the day, consider graduated compression legwear, which helps reduce swelling, improve circulation and massage tired, achy legs as you move.

Businessman operating a laptop with his feet on a desk

__* Stretch as much as possible.__ Some on-your-feet jobs allow you to move around a lot, while others require you to stand in one spot for extended periods. Simple stretches, such as pointing your toes, rotating your ankles and drawing your heels back toward your thighs, can help relieve stiffness and encourage circulation.

__* Pay attention to posture.__ Whether you stand in place or run around all day, your posture can affect how you feel at the end of the day, from your neck and shoulders all the way to your heels. Practice good posture. Stand or walk with your head up and shoulders back, striving to keep your spine in good alignment, with your ears, shoulders and hips in a straight line.

__* Pamper your feet at home.__ Make foot care at home a part of your daily routine. Soak tired feet in a warm mineral bath, learn how to massage your feet and toes, use a pumice stone to reduce rough areas and moisturize daily.

__* See a podiatrist for persistent pain.__ While it may be normal to feel tired at the end of your work shift, persistent foot pain is a concern. While it's probably normal for your feet to hurt after spending the entire day on them, if pain persists throughout your off hours or on weekends, it may be time to see a podiatrist for help.