Make long standing easier
Use a cushioned mat or insoles, shift your weight and take breaks when your job keeps you on your feet.
- How often
- Daily
- Recommended for
- 8 factors
How to do it
- Stand on an anti-fatigue mat on hard floors, or use cushioned insoles in supportive shoes. Choose a non-slip mat with beveled edges.
- Shift your weight often. Rest one foot on a low ledge or footrest, and switch feet regularly.
- Set your work surface so you do not have to stoop or reach.
- Sit or walk for a few minutes whenever you can, and do a few calf raises or ankle circles during pauses.
Why it helps
Standing still on hard floors for hours is linked to tired legs, foot pain and lower back discomfort. Mats and insoles cushion the surface, and moving your legs keeps blood flowing. Workplace safety guidance recommends them for jobs with prolonged standing.
Be careful
Leg swelling that does not go away, painful varicose veins, or persistent foot or back pain are worth discussing with a doctor.
Recommended for
Assembly line worker
The same motions, hundreds of times an hour, at the pace of the line.
occupationBarista
Tamping, pouring and steaming, hundreds of drinks a shift.
occupationCashier
Scan, bag, repeat, for hours in the same small space.
hobbyCooking and baking
Sharp knives, hot surfaces and hours on your feet in the kitchen.
occupationHairstylist
Arms up, scissors in hand, standing behind the chair all day.
occupationLine cook
Heat, knives, hot oil and a ticket rail that never empties.
occupationRetail worker
On your feet all shift, stocking shelves and helping customers.
habitStanding desk user
Swapped the chair for standing, and found standing has its own costs.