CategoriesFootwear Health

How Posture Affects Our Daily Life

Posture can slowly affect many things in daily life, as we are always either standing, sitting, moving or laying. It can affect breathing quality, bone health and even cause pain. So, what does proper posture look like in each of these positions?

Standing is possibly one of the most natural things for most people, but if you are having pain, it may be worth analysing the way you stand. It may sound obvious, but you want to stand tall, with your head straight and eyes forward. Straighten everything out, from your legs and arms to, of course, your spine. A common piece of advice for posture is to imagine there’s a string on top of your head, pulling you upwards.

Sitting posture is on the rise with the invention of ergonomics, but we still have a long way to go with office cultures and the way we sit for long periods of time. If you have a job where you look at, for example, a computer for long periods, it is recommended to have the screen parallel with your eye line, so you don’t have to crane your neck up or down uncomfortably. It can be a pain to adjust computer, desk and chair heights but it is ultimately worth it to avoid a lifetime of discomfort, so take some time to find the correct position for you.

Walk with your head held up high is not just a saying, as you walk you may have a habit of looking down at the ground, this can really negatively affect your neck and cause you pain. Keeping your chin up helps keep your spine straight and reduces neck pain, and is also a very classic confidence boost. Another thing you may have heard a lot, but try not to slouch or lean. It puts unnecessary strain on your body. If your walk still doesn’t feel quite right, shrug your shoulders and let them fall back and relax, it may help to do this multiple times when walking for a while.

If there is one thing we have learned in the past few years, it’s the importance of sleep. Poor sleeping posture can cause detrimental effects like sleep apnea, heartburn and reduced circulation. People like to sleep in countless ways and positions, and it can depend a lot on your circumstance, like the size or quality of your bed if you have a partner or even if you sleep with an animal in the bed. But for sleeping posture specifically, it is usually recommended to sleep on your back or sides, but not the stomach. A pillow between the knees isn’t normally how you might imagine falling into dreamland, but many sleep experts recommend it for side sleepers. As for back sleepers, try to keep your arms in similar positions to each so as not to cause strain on your spine.

CategoriesFootwear Health Shoes

The Perfect Cycling Shoe

Cycling is great for many reasons, including weight loss, good for your mental health, and helping with circulation. But having the correct shoes is crucial for cycling as even though it is a low–impact sport having shoes that don’t fit correctly or feel comfortable can really cause issues whilst cycling.

Cycling with Plantar Fasciitis

Many people who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis worry that cycling may worsen their condition but, it has actually been tested and cycling doesn’t make your condition worse, according to Monroe Foot and Ankle Care they said, “activities such as swimming, cycling, yoga or elliptical cardio won’t cause Plantar Fasciitis nor will they make it worse for you if you have it. Make sure to stretch out your calves and feet before and after you exercise. You can do things like curling and relaxing your toes and making circles with your ankles and feet.”

How to prevent pain

To prevent foot pain in general always make sure you are wearing the correct shoes, make sure they are comfortable as uncomfortable shoes automatically make you have sore feet so that is essential, and also is make sure your shoes fit correctly as you don’t want shoes that are too small as they will always suffocate your feet and make your feet feel numb. On the other hand, wearing shoes that are too big for you can cause blisters, this is caused by friction, so always make sure your shoes are fitted correctly and comfortably.

How to prevent foot pain when cycling

  • Wear the correct footwear.
  • Wear insoles
  • Buy correct foot pedals for your bike.
  • Apply ice to your feet to reduce any inflammation of your feet caused by cycling.

Wearing shoes with built-in arch support (orthotics) are also a great option when trying to prevent foot pain, (Cycling or not), arch support helps in many ways firstly being, that they are designed to provide support for your foot arch while distributing weight evenly across the surface of your feet, according to, HoodMWR  “This helps alleviate pain caused by an abnormal weight distribution or flat feet.”

Cycling with Chemin Trainers

If you are wanting some super stylish trainers that include comfort for daily activities or exercise then Uufey Shoes Chemin Orthotic Trainers are a great option as they are super stylish and come in two colour options (Grey and Black).

CategoriesFashion Footwear

Fashion Spotlight: Summer Fashion Trends

So, with summer being around the corner now is the perfect time to start getting your summer wardrobe ready, but it’s not always that simple, right? What are the latest trends? What colours are in this summer? We have got your back, let’s get into what’s trending In summer 22!

Trend 1: The ultimate summer dress

Firstly, let’s start off with a summer classic! A simple white basic dress, there’s no specific style as white dresses come in a variety of choices such as Frill Dresses, Cocktail Dresses, Skater Dresses etc, but in my opinion Frill style is always a winner in the summer, they pair amazingly with pretty much anything whether that’s a pair of sandals for a hot day or a pair of boots and a denim jacket for a breezier summer day! White clothes are also an excellent choice for summer as they reflect most of the sun’s heat and absorb very little of the sun’s heat to keep us cool!

Trend 2: Fancy Flares

Secondly, another style that’s in this summer is flared trousers, as well as the white dresses there are a variety on flared trousers but for summer beach type full leg flare style trousers are defiantly in, paired well with a cute basic white top and some chunky boot style shoes, for example, our ‘Cill Cut – Out Bootie’, and if it’s more of a hotter day maybe pair with some sandals, and of course accessories with a cute bag, as a bag always adds a simple but effective look to an outfit.

Trend 3: Co-Ords

As well as this, another fashion look that is 100% on trend this summer is co-ords weather that’s a trouser co-ord, a skirt co-ord, and gym co-ord, and they are in! A lot of people are going for trouser co-ords and paring with some sandals for an evening time outing this is a great look as its very Suttle but dressy at the same time, you can also dress this type of outfit down with some espadrilles, for example, you could pair our ‘Crown Dual Espadrilles’ the image below is showing our ‘Stone’ option but they do also come in the colour blue! They would be great to pair with the Co-Ord for the daytime, this is a great outfit choice for the summer as it’s super easy to throw together any time of the day!

Trend 4: Classic Denim

So, this outfit is a classic and it is denim shorts! Denim shorts are a great choice for the summer and they are always in trend, you can dress them up or dress them down. So, if were talking a running errands kind of day I would pair denim shorts with a cute basic t-shirt and some trainers, Uufey’s ‘Chemin Grey and Pink Orthotic Trainers’ would go great with this outfit, and you would be super comfy all day!

If you’re wanting more of a dressy kind of vibe say for brunch with the girls or an evening meal you could pair your choice of denim shorts with a nice blouse or maybe a pale pink colour (super summery) and pair with some sandals, once again our ‘Shine Orthotic Sandal’ would be a great pair with this style of outfit as they are super comfortable but very stylish and add that dressy touch to a quite basic outfit, and then of course accessorise!

Be sure to shop for your summer shoes over at Uufey.com, for any occasion with ultimate comfort provided, Uufey Shoes have you covered, be sure to tag us on socials in your pics styling your @Uufeyshoes.

CategoriesFootwear Sustainability

Sustainable Shoes: Small steps to help the environment

This week at Uufey we are looking into the topic of sustainable shoes, and choices we can make to be more environmentally friendly with our footwear. There are numerous solutions and things to try, but it all depends on what you have and what you want to do.

Reuse or repair

First of all, what about using your old shoes? A fairly common practice for old shoes is using them for tasks where they may be damaged or ruined, like painting or DIY projects. Some people use shoes like these for dog walking, taking the backs out of the shoes to make them easier to slip on or other modifications like removing the laces.

Another option is to repair if you are the crafty type with the tools to do so (or know someone who is). You may find the part of your shoe that bothers you is easily replaced, repaired or changed. Scuffs can be buffed out and polished, leather can be treated and stitches can be resown.

Shoe Donations

But the shoe doesn’t always fit. In these cases, it’s best to give them a new home with someone who they will fit. Depending on the pair, you may be able to get some money back by reselling or if you’re feeling charitable, donating them. Options for donating differ depending on your location, but they include the Red Cross and Shoeaid. Usually, people will individually go to their locations to drop off their shoes, but some workplaces organize events where the employees give together. Another option if you have access to a printer is to print off a label and ship them, or a shoe bin may be available near you at a shop. A map of locations and more advice is available here.

Considerations for future purchases

But what about your next pair of shoes? If you want to be a little more environmentally friendly going forward with your shoe purchases, you might want to consider brands that take the environment into account (like us, for example). There are many stages and facets to making shoes that could be very anti-environment, from the tanning of leather to chemical glues. Good alternatives to these processes have been around for a while now, like faux leather and synthetic glue. The challenge is in finding a shoe like this that also fits you comfortably. Luckily, I think we can help you with that.

Protection from wear and tear

When you have your new shoes, how do you keep them that way? There are many options here, like waterproof protection spray, particularly useful in the unpredictable UK. If you feel like going the extra mile, you can regularly polish the leather and even stuff the inside of them when you aren’t using them so they keep their shape. Or maybe something happens to your shoes, for example, they get stained or muddy, use a soft, dry brush to remove loose dirt first (a lot of people use spare toothbrushes for this), then use a mild cleaning solution gently on the upper of your shoe and soles. If you need to clean the laces, a handwash tends to be best, then let them air dry.

CategoriesFootwear Health

Suitable Footwear For Work

Correct footwear is essential when working especially if you’re on your feet for a long period of time, as it has been proven that 79% of retail workers are on their feet for four to ten hours a day. As well as this, health care workers such as nurses can be on their feet up to 12 hours a day which is a lot, so correct footwear really is important.

One of our favourite customer reviews is from Debbie, who is currently a nurse and wears her Uufey Shoes with pride, here’s what she had to say!

“I identified that when I consistently wear unsupportive shoes, I suffer achy arches, joint pain, and other uncomfortable problems. Since trying @uufeyshoes the story is different for me. If your profession involves anything from running alongside a gurney to standing for hours in an operating room, the right shoes are a must. You need shoes that can accommodate your feet (breathable), durable but also lightweight and slip resistance” You can view nurse Debbie’s post’s over on Instagram on @behealthywithdebs.

Suffering from pain due to your workplace

Many workers suffer from aches and pains due to being on their feet for long periods of time. As stated by the CCOHS “standing is a natural human posture and by itself poses no particular health hazard. However, working in a standing position on a regular basis can cause many aches and pains such as sore feet, swelling of the legs, general muscular fatigue, lower back pain, stiffness in the neck.”  Retail workers also face these issues especially as they are often stood in the same position scanning items until they can get their break or go home, so having shoes that are non-slip and comfortable is super essential to everyone especially workers on their feet for long periods of time!

According to TUC studies found that “it is estimated that around 80% of the adult population has some form of foot problem. This can vary from aches and pains to swelling and comes to fungal infections and varicose veins. While not all of these are a result of work activities, a large proportion is.” When choosing footwear, you should, always opt for a pair with arch support.

Preventing and relieving pain

Arch supports evenly distribute weight by putting some of that pressure across your feet versus leaving all the pressure in the heel or the ball of the foot. You can also buy arch support pads, which will help to ease the pain when wearing less supportive shoes.

Relieving foot pain can be a long process, but here are some at-home remedies to try to ease your foot pain,

  • Get a tennis ball to self-massage your feet.
  • Wear supportive shoes.
  • Try soaking your feet in saltwater
  • Try giving yourself breaks during your day and exercise.

You can also purchase some of our foot care accessories we have an 8-piece Plantar Fasciitis relief & Foot Pain Kit which you can use alongside the at-home remedies above.

If you’re finding that nothing is really easing or helping at all with your foot pain or any pain caused by being on your feet all day it may be best to maybe make an appointment with your local GP.

CategoriesHealth

Itchy Feet: 4 possible reasons and preventions

Itchy feet can be caused by many issues such as dry skin, harsh soaps, medical conditions and much more carry-on reading or causes, cures and remedies to help prevent and put a stop to your itchy feet!

1. Athletes’ foot

Athletes’ foot is a contagious fungal infection that causes itchy skin problems on your feet. An itchy, stinging, burning rash forms on the infected skin. Below are things that you should avoid as this can bring on athletes’ foot.

      • Things like damp socks
      • Damp shoes
      • Warm, and humid conditions

The following symptoms could indicate if you begin to suffer from Athletes Foot. The foot itself and between the toes become really itchy. Skin is dry, cracked, flaky or redness appears.

Suggested Remedies for Athletes’ Foot

      • Wear clean cotton socks
      • To help towards keeping your feet dry, change your socks and shoes often.
      • Make sure your feet are completely dry after washing your feet especially in between your toes.
      • Tea Tree Oil according to ‘Medical News Today’ they said “One study found that solutions containing 25 per cent and 50 per cent tea tree oil worked significantly better than a placebo in relieving athlete’s foot between the toes”

2. Psoriasis

Another reason why you may be suffering from itchy feet is Psoriasis, plaque psoriasis can occur on almost any part of our body, including our feet.

What ‘Plaque Psoriasis’ looks like and how to treat it

This type of psoriasis causes red, dry patches of skin known as plaques. These plaques are usually covered in silvery scales and can be itchy and sore. In more severe psoriasis, plaques may also crack open and bleed.

To help ease this form of psoriasis, take care to avoid injury to your hands and feet as even minor trauma can worsen your psoriasis. Another way to look after your psoriasis or even get rid of the condition altogether you can try at home remedies such as,

      • washing the area gently in warm, not hot, water with a moisturizing soap or even soaking in a warm bath for around 15 minutes, as this helps loosen up the scales and helps reduce the itching and inflammation caused by Psoriasis.
      • An extra tip whilst bathing in your warm (not hot) bath try adding sea salt, oatmeal, bath oil, or a bath gel containing coal tar to the water can further soothe and moisturize your skin, so this will not take away psoriasis but it will help alongside.

3. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can be caused by something simple such as a change in laundry detergent. So firstly, the most obvious way to prevent/stop your flare-up with contact dermatitis would be to stop using the product that is the cause of this and try sticking to what you know or using sensitive skin products when trying anything new.

Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis

      • Redness
      • Itchiness’
      • A patchy or scaly rash
      • Dry and Cracked skin
      • Bumps/Blisters or both
      • Swelling, Burning and/or tenderness.

Treatment for Contact Dermatitis

    • soaking in a comfortably cool bath, according to the ‘Mayo Clinic’ you can also sprinkle the water with baking soda or an oatmeal-based product.
    • Omega free fatty acids are known to help reduce inflammation in the body. According to ‘Health Line’ and I quote “This can be beneficial for psoriasis inflammation is what causes the itchy red flakes”.

Omega 3’s can be found in a variety of different foods such as,

      • Flaxseed oil
      • Nuts
      • Fatty Fish
      • Seeds
      • Soy

As well as this, you can maybe book a visit to see your local GP just for an extra bit of advice and they may prescribe you some steroid creams, ointments or oral medications.

4. Dry Skin

Lastly, another reason why you may be suffering from itchy feet could be ‘Dry Skin’ this can occur if your feet are lacking in their natural oils and itchiness can be a warning sign that your skin is in a poor condition.

Unfortunately, scratching is likely to damage the area further which can be very annoying as dry skin can be really itchy but make sure you do not scratch your dry skin as this can also make it easier for any harmful bacteria to infect your body.

How to know if you have dry skin on your feet?

Your feet will be,

      • Often appears on the sides of the feet or the heels.
      • Can appear in between the toes also.
      • May make the infected area itchy, tight, and even painful.

Although having itchy feet may be very irritating, it is rarely ever harmful but if it does cause you a lot of discomfort it may be of some use informing your GP and seek medical help and remedies such as lotions, ointment, and creams!

At-home remedies for dry feet,

      • A foot file or rasp
      • A pumice stone or foot scrub
      • Foot cream or heel balm
      • Moisturizing gel socks or heel socks
      • Liquid bandage
CategoriesHealth

Foot Verrucas: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Them

First of all, what is a foot verruca? Verrucas are foot warts, small lumps on the skin caused by a virus. The NHS website says “Verrucas appear on your feet. They have tiny black dots under the hard skin. Warts do not cause you any harm, but some people find them itchy, painful or embarrassing. Verrucas are more likely to be painful – like standing on a needle.”

What happens if you leave a Verruca?

While the human body is quite adept at getting rid of some of its own problems, verrucas are somewhat of an exception. If they are left untreated, their infectious viral nature of them can cause them to spread on the affected area and create something known as a mosaic wart, which is harder to get rid of. Not to mention, they can spread to other people. They also tend to grow, usually up to a centimetre or wider. All of this means the pain and discomfort can stay for longer and get worse.

So, what should you do if you have one?

First of all, in the short term, change your socks daily while you have one, and it might be wise to put a plaster over the affected area, definitely if you plan on swimming. Wash the affected area daily, and wash your hands anytime you touch a verruca. As for what you probably shouldn’t do, try not to scratch or pick at it, this will only irritate it and exacerbate the problem. Walking barefoot is also not the best idea, and definitely not in public or shared spaces.

For somewhat a more serious and pointed solution, make an appointment with your GP, your doctor or a skin specialist, or a dermatologist. They can recommend treatment options like cryotherapy, creams and ointments. Cryotherapy is a very interesting solution, you may have heard the term or words like it before, it involves using extreme cold, usually nitrogen or argon gas, to freeze the verruca. The effectiveness varies, but usually, the verruca will fall off after a few weeks, with a few sessions of cryotherapy. Another option you may be offered is a cream or ointment, which, with the gradual, sustained application, can gradually kill the virus.

No matter what treatment option is available or that you choose, there is no reason to ignore a foot verruca. If there is one thing we believe at Uufey, it’s that no one should have to live in pain and discomfort.

CategoriesFashion Footwear Shoes

Espadrilles: How to style them this summer

So, with summer being upon us now is the time to start getting your summer outfit inspiration and ditch the winter wardrobe, with that being said let’s take a look at Uufey’s ‘Crown Dual espadrilles’ and how to style them.

Firstly, let’s talk casual! So, I would style our ‘Crown Dual Espadrille’ in the colour ‘stone’ with a pair of white jeans a classic and endlessly chic as proven by the autumn/winter 2021 shows, and very much summer vibes would pair perfectly with a summery white top. This look is perfect for daytime outings, running errands or even just as simple as getting to the food shop in! You can also accessorise this look with a simple white handbag to add to this simple but effective look!

If you want to go for more of a dressy vibe, you could dress it up with a white summer dress, or a blue denim jacket and opt for our ‘Blue’ option in the espadrilles. This outfit is perfect for a summery day out at the beach, a summer shopping day or day drinks with the girls! As well as the white jeans white dresses are also very chic and add an elegant look to your outfit and are perfect for your spring/summer wardrobe. As well to this, denim jackets are always a great choice when choosing your summer looks, Jean Jacket pair well with just about anything, especially in the hotter months, they pair great with floral dresses, skinny jeans, and even yoga outfits, you just have to know how to style them.

Another style to pair with our ‘Blue’ option is, some denim shorts, paired with a blue blouse, this outfit would be for a casual day in the sun in the summer maybe a day out at the beach. The blue gives off super beachy vibes with the colour blue representing the sea, this outfit is super casual but the blue blouse adds a dressy feel to the look, so you could even wear it when doing daytime brunching. Although the blue blouse isn’t the exact shade of blue on the espadrilles, they complement each other and it doesn’t look too much! If you wanted to you could also add a denim jacket for the evening, as double denim is totally a look if you style it correctly!

Lastly let’s get some inspiration for our ‘Stone’ option in Uufey’s espadrilles, for a daytime shopping trip our stone espadrilles would match perfect with an all-in-one denim suit, this is perfect as it’s super casual but gives a really classy and boujee effect, it’s super summery and perfect for that time of year as it’s a super airy fabric and really soft, but perfect if it’s more a cooler day.

Chemin-Trainers
CategoriesFashion Footwear Shoes

Running shoes: What to look out for

We at Uufey advocate often for getting outside, for walks and runs. But the most important part of that is having the right footwear, a comfortable pair of running shoes. But why is it so important?

Well, you don’t want to trip of course. And it can increase your chances of developing foot conditions and pains such as plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, bunions and more. Or you could just be sore after every run. So, instead of trying to relieve the symptoms after the fact, how do you get the right pair of shoes in the first place?

Check your shoe size

Size-Guide

First off, your shoe size. Are you completely certain of your current shoe size? Different shoe sizes and measurements apply across the world, and even between different shoemakers the sizes and their actual fit can vary. To make things a little easier, we have a size guide available here, for women, men and children’s sizes.

Finding the perfect pair

Lady Running

Now let’s get into the specifics. Specifically, you! What are the goals that you are going to be accomplishing? Where will you be accomplishing them? The places you’re running, are they flat surfaces, uphill, downhill, muddy or sandy? Keep all these in mind when you’re looking for the perfect shoes.

There are a few extra little things you might want to have, little secrets from those in the know. For example, a little extra toe length in the shoe can be useful for the swelling of the foot, as all feet tend to swell somewhat due to exercise. Also, you may notice running shoes are made from many different materials, like meshes designed for better airflow and keeping the feet cool. Also, you may want seamless shoes, or at least no seams on the upper portion of the shoe, as they can cause blisters.

Chemin-Trainers-Pink

Finally, a little reminder on things necessary for every shoe, like arch support. Having the right support for your foot’s unique arch is very important, as when running, the foot can be under the force of twice your body weight. You may also want to consider the flexibility and firmness of the shoe, firm enough to keep their shape under lots of use, but flexible enough to allow your foot’s natural movements.

If possible, (although it’s a little harder in the digital age) you might want to try your shoes before you commit to them. At the Uufey store, we offer a robust returns policy, because we want people to be happy with their shoes. So, if your shoes are a little big or small, you can return them and get the right size. Our returns policy is available here.

CategoriesHealth

How to use the Uufey Pain Relief Kit

One of the things we offer at the Uufey store is the eight-piece Plantar Fasciitis Relief & Foot Pain Kit, which is designed to alleviate and correct foot conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis, bunions, and heel spurs, as well as provide support to the arch of the foot, and straighten or prevent overlapping of toes. In this blog, you will find advice and guides to using each piece of the kit to suit your needs.

The Pull Strap

The red and blue pull strap is ideal for expanding joint mobility and developing motor function, as well as spasm relief. It is also applicable to those with Plantar Fasciitis pain, foot drop and Achilles tendon rupture, and other foot conditions.

To use, simply place a big toe in either strap and gently stretch the toes against each other. It’s ideal to perform an increasing number of “reps”, starting with three stretches a day for a week or so, and increasing the amount when you feel comfortable.

Spiky Massage Ball

The brightly coloured spiky massage ball is designed to alleviate the pains of Plantar Fasciitis,  muscle knots, and soreness, and increase blood circulation in the feet.

For the massage ball, place it on the floor (preferably in front of a seat, but these exercises can be performed standing if preferred). Then roll the affected foot over the ball until relief.

Bunion Corrector Sleeves

These sleeves offer strong protection for the ankle and foot, reducing the risk of injuries and inflammation during workouts or daily activities, and increasing blood circulation. They can also be used to aid in recovery from other foot pains.

Made of breathable fabric, these sleeves can be worn every day with any shoes or socks, and their elasticity won’t restrict any movement.

Toe Correctors

For those with overlapping toes or those who suffer from toe friction, we have two sets of toe correctors. They can also provide pain relief from hammertoe, bunions, and other foot conditions.

Place them between or on the afflicted toes to keep them separate and reduce friction.

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