Heels are now recognised as one of the attributes of femininity. It is a symbol of an attractive appearance. It is also said that every lady should have at least one pair of high heels in her wardrobe, even if she does not wear them every day. Meanwhile, many women cannot imagine their lives without high heels, stilettos, wedges or platforms. It is determined by one's own sense of aesthetics, and sometimes also by social pressure and trends promoted in the media.
While wearing high heels undoubtedly makes your legs look amazing, we bet you never thought that they might also bring health benefits. But actually they can; and while wearing flats might give your feet a break from being elevated, they don’t bring all of the health benefits that high heels can offer. These can be both physical and mental so let’s look at a few and discover why wearing heels from time to time could be the healthy option as well as the stylish one.
LOOKING AND FEELING TALLER
One of the most obvious benefits of high heels is that they allow you to look and feel taller. You simply can’t get this benefit if you’re wearing flats. While this might be okay if you meet the average 5 ft 8 height or if you’re even in model height territory, many women say that it can be irritating and awkward if you are just over five feet tall. For women who are shorter, it can feel like people either constantly overlook you, or sometimes literally or ignore you completely. This can result in a knock on your confidence. Wearing heels will change the game completely and allow you to feel empowered which can be beneficial for mental health. You suddenly won’t feel less than the 6ft friend you’ve been standing next to all evening.
WORKING THOSE LEG MUSCLES
As well as making you look taller, heels can actually benefit the muscles in your legs leading to more muscle and less fat in the calves. This will typically depend on the height of the heels that you choose to wear, but they can certainly have an impact here. Walking, you might even notice that your calves tighten to compensate for the pressure on your legs. After a few months wearing heels, you’ll notice that there’s more muscle in your calves and they will no doubt look fantastic too!
SLIMMER PHYSIQUE
Interestingly, when you wear heels, it can actually impact your entire physique and your posture. The heels cause your entire body to respond, arching the back. The chest is pushed out while the buttocks stick out leading to the appearance of a slimmer physique. It can even cause you to lose weight and might do more good than the dieting trend you have been trying recently.
BOOSTING YOUR CONFIDENCE
Confidence is always going to be important to your health. People who lack in confidence often struggle in daily life whether at work or in their personal life. Confidence is important whether you are out on a date or attending an office meeting and the right set of heels can give you the level of confidence that you need for both. This is once again tied to how heels change how your body looks and of course, your height. When we are taller or elevated, we naturally feel more authoritative and as such are better equipped mentally to deal with issues that are stressful or put us under pressure. The right heels could be key for winning that next important client contract.
IMPROVED POSTURE
One of the most notable benefits of wearing high heels is that they can help improve your posture. When you wear heels, you naturally stand up straighter and push your shoulders back, which can help alleviate back pain and improve your overall body alignment.
AVOID LATER DAMAGE
As we get older, both women and men do tend to develop issues with their joints, bones and muscles. However, wearing heels on and off could help reduce the chances of you developing this issue according to recent research. Studies show that wearing heels strengthens the ankle joints and muscles and as such, reduces the chance of women developing arthritis here when they age. Women do tend to have more issues with their legs than men as they age and it was long suspected that heels were the cause of the issue. Now, it seems that is not the case.
NO NEED FOR EXERCISE
Well, a certain type of exercise at least. A researcher in Italy fuelled by her love of high heels was determined to find a health benefit for wearing the sexy, elegant footwear and she found one. Women who wore heels regularly showed fifteen percent less electrical activity through their pelvic muscles. The pelvic muscle is actually linked to sexual activity, so it could, theoretically suggest that women who wear heels could enjoy sexual activity far more without the need of exercising their pelvis.
FASHION ACCESSORY
High heels are a fashionable accessory that can add a touch of sophistication and glamour to any outfit. Whether you're dressing up for a formal event or adding some flare to your everyday wardrobe, high heels can make a statement and help you stand out from the crowd.