If I asked you to list your life's top 5 possessions would you put your car, designer sunglasses or laptop before your mattress & footwear? In a high-street survey I would expect so.
Lets think about this for a second, surely the things that we do most often are therefore the things that have greatest potential to affect our daily health & performance. We spend about 2/3rds of our life in a pair of shoes and the other 1/3rd lying on a mattress, so it makes perfect sense that they are good quality and fit for purpose in order to promote our well-being.
Shoes: Now, if as your reading this your conscience is screaming then don't worry, I'm going to help you. Lots of money can be spent on desirable footwear but lets save those for special occasions. At work they may be out of sight anyway under your desk, driving your car, or 1/2 hidden by your trouser leg so why not make them comfy and functional instead. Choose shoes that fit the natural shape of your foot (they don't restrict the foots movement when walking), go for flat or low-heel options with support & cushioning where you need it while allowing the foot to move naturally. This is especially important if you are stood for long periods of time!
Mattresses: It's not always necessary to splash out on a slab of 'space-age foam' mattress, good quality conventional ones can be just as good. My main message here is 'try before you buy'. Rather than just jumping on it in the showroom, ask for a 5-7 night trial (most retailers offer this). This way you can truly test it as you will fully relax when semi-conscious in sleep. Ultimately go with what feels most comfortable to you, for most of us this will be medium-firm. If your current mattress sags - change it! A good nights sleep = a healthy and productive days work.
Further workforce advice on these and related topics is available in our courses and workshops.
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