Why A Footrest Is Good For Your Health

Using a footrest offers many benefits to your health such as improving your posture, circulation, tension relief and can help lessen back pain. A footrest may not seem much more than a comfortable place to rest your feet, but there is so much more to it than that. 

Let’s look at some of the main benefits of using a footrest. 

Your posture is more than just sitting or standing up straight. Your posture is what aligns the body so that you can function properly, so it’s imperative you practice good posture every single day. Getting into bad habits with the way you sit can cause a multitude of problems such as; aches and pains, weight gain, low mood, fatigue, arthritis, poor circulation, breathing difficulties, headaches and more.

Using a footrest can help you maintain your posture by having your feet flat and firmly resting on something, meaning you are sitting at the correct angle. Ensuring you’re sitting with your feet flat and your legs at a 90 degree angle you will find you will be more comfortable and more likely to sit up straight rather than hunch over your desk. 

Using a footrest is one of the best solutions offered to help improve poor circulation whilst sitting at your desk. Using a footrest will elevate your legs, instantly encouraging your blood circulation to improve and help stop that dreaded leg ache you might find you suffer with at the end of each day. 

It’s well known that footrests can be used to boost blood circulation when they position the foot at a natural angle. There has been research to prove that the angle of a footrest can directly lead to swelling in the legs and angles if they are not positioned properly. If the footrest is too steep or flat you could find that you have increased swelling due to less oxygenated blood travelling to your toes, so make sure you invest in one that has tilting properties so you can adjust it to be just right for you. 

If you’ve been struggling with back issues and can’t figure out why, it is most probably due to your posture throughout the day. One of the most common complaints among most office workers is backache and that usually comes down to not sitting correctly. If your feet don’t reach the floor and you are slumping forward or leaning back, your back is going to be the part of your body that suffers the most. 

Propping your feet up on a footrest can help stop you from slouching as well as relieving pressure from your spine which will ultimately help keep your back aches at bay. 

Feeling tension or a throbbing ache in your feet by the end of the day? If you can’t relax them on something and keep them flat then it’s no wonder that they aren’t feeling the best. 

Particularly for those wearing a variety of different level shoes, your feet will often relax in different positions at your desk, some of which will cause more issues for you than you can even begin to imagine. Not only can sitting in heels or sandals affect you while sitting down, but walking around in these different height shoes can also strain the muscles and tendons in your feet, as well as your achilles tendon. Added together, you have yourself some painful feet! Sitting with a footrest can alleviate the tension in your feet as well as the pressure in your legs so it is well worth investing in one. 

The HAG Quickstep footrest is a dynamic tilting footstool and it offers a variety of benefits such as encouraging movement and variation, as well as activating circulation and stimulating coordination. It stretches the calf muscles and gives the soles of the feet a comfortable massage. 

Last but not least, let's talk about comfort, because who wants to be uncomfortable at work? Many of us spend the majority of our week sitting at a desk, so it really is crucial to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. Using a footrest will not only benefit your health and posture, but also your overall comfort. Productivity can stem a lot from how comfortable you are and your mindset, so if you’re hunched over and uncomfortable then your work is probably going to reflect that. 

So, sit up straight, keep your legs at a 90 degree angle and perch those feet on a footrest. You won’t regret it. 

If you need any help choosing the right ergonomic footrest for you, or for your employees, please do get in touch and we will be happy to advise you on the best product for you.