Do you understand the amazing benefits of wearing slippers at home?
I know that people tend to fall into two camps. Those who wear slippers in the house and those who choose to walk around in their socks or bare feet at home. But which way is the best way?
Whilst walking around in bare feet all the time in the house might not be something you have thought about very much here are some reasons why wearing slippers when you are at home might matter more than you think.
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What is The Purpose of Slippers?
If you own a pair of slippers what exactly is their purpose? Why do people spend money on wearing what is in effect a pair of lightweight shoes around the house?
Well, house slippers perform a number of simple functions from keeping your feet warm, protected, and comfortable to making your house a little cleaner.
What are slippers for? Well, each person may have a reason for wearing them. I know my husband never wore them until we moved into a draughty old house preferring to wear socks or bare feet instead. Now he wouldn’t be without them.
Slippers have some stand-out advantages over no-house shoes at all. Here’s why I think they are essential in almost every home.
Should You Wear Slippers Inside the House? Cozy Footwear For Warmth
Ok well, I have already alluded to the number one reason why slippers are a total essential in my house and that is because I live in an old Georgian house in the country.
Old houses are draughty and ours has cold tile, wood, and linoleum floors downstairs. Walking around in bare feet or slippers just doesn’t cut it in the middle of winter because you don’t just get chilly feet but freezing cold chilblains without a pair of cozy slippers.
We are not alone I’m sure in buying slippers because we can’t deal with cold feet from wood floors and tiles. Thick socks just aren’t good enough at keeping out the chill so we wear slippers with a thick base to create a protective barrier between our feet and the cold floors.
If you have carpets throughout your house or underfloor heating you might get away with walking around in your bare feet even in winter but with energy prices increasing expect a good thick warm pair of slippers to be more popular than ever.
I particularly love my UGG Ansley Slippers as they have a rubber outsole and sheep fur to keep my feet toasty.
Wearing Footwear Inside Means Comfort
Whilst the number one reason I love slippers is I no longer get cold feet I have a secondary reason for needing them and that is comfort. Comfortable slippers are a must-have for me because they create a cushioned layer allowing my feet to feel as if they are walking on clouds.
Ok, I might be exaggerating but I have flat feet and tendonitis so I need a protective layer between myself and the hard floors downstairs in my home. Without this cushioning, my feet are just not comfortable. I even wear my house slippers in the height of summer because of this.
I am not alone. Millions of people around the world come home and take off their shoes and soothe their tired feet by slipping on a pair of cushioned slippers. It’s one of life’s little joys!
Dearfoams Keaton Memory Foam Mocassins are a great example of warm slippers that are also built with cushioning for comfort.
Barefoot or Slippers? Protecting Your Feet at Home
Ok, so I’ve talked about wearing slippers at home for warmth and comfort now let’s talk about protecting your feet.
The fact is that no matter how clean and tidy you think your house is there are hidden dangers or annoyances around the home.
As we have been renovating our house we have more than most especially when we have done big jobs such as removing walls and plastering.
Our floors have been covered in dust, had brick particles all over them, pieces of plaster, nails, splintered wood, and so on. Fancy walking over that in your bare feet?
Ever cooked in your kitchen and dropped food on the floor? Ever come in from outside and trailed gravel, dirt and leaves in with you?
Walking barefoot is not an option I’m afraid unless I want to hurt myself or get nasties stuck to my foot. Whilst your life might not be identical to mine there is no way you can live your life without some debris ending up on the floor. So start wearing slippers and understand that socks aren’t going to help prevent those bits from hurting you!
Health and Safety In The Home Also Matters
Health and safety also matter when it comes to protecting yourself not just from bits lying on your floor but from falling over as well.
The fact is walking around your home in socks isn’t the best idea if your floors are made from tile or wood because these surfaces can be slippery. If you wear slippers at home the rubber sole on the bottom helps give you some grip when you are walking around the home.
Most socks unless they are special ones with grips do the opposite and can have you slipping and sliding all over the place. So slippers serve a purpose by protecting you from slippery surfaces and nasty falls.
If you are worried about falling choose a pair of slippers with a non-slip sole like these Wishcotton House Slippers to keep yourself safe.
Why Wear Slippers at Home? Stopping Infections
I’ve already talked about how the floor in a typical home can be covered in hazards but have you thought about the ones that aren’t visible to the naked eye? The fact is that no matter how clean you think you are with your vacuuming and mopping there are always germs that you will have missed.
The benefits of wearing slippers at home are that you are preventing your feet from picking up viruses and bacterial and fungal infections that could be lurking around the house.
Fungal infections are particularly nasty. Imagine if someone in your house has athlete’s foot and then decides to walk around in their bare feet spreading it around. It won’t be long before others in the household get it as well.
Did you know that wearing slippers can also protect you from colds and flu as well? Losing excess heat from your body can impact your immune system and lower your resistance to these common illnesses which can easily be avoided by wearing a pair of warm slippers.
There are considerable health benefits if you choose to wear slippers at home that are often forgotten because your eyes can’t see the danger.
Why Do People Wear Slippers In The Bathroom?
Just as an aside some people even have a different pair of slippers to use in the bathroom than they do in the rest of the house. The Japanese for example wear what could only be described as toilet slippers.
When you think about the nasties that can be lurking on a bathroom floor it makes sense to wear a pair of slippers that are only for the bathroom.
Firstly they will help you to avoid germs but they can also help keep your main slippers dry. Remember bathrooms can get wet so nobody wants to be trailing that water around the house.
Cloud Slippers work brilliantly for bathrooms as not only are they comfortable but they are really easy to clean as well.
Are House Slippers Good For Your Feet? The Importance of Arch Support
There are plenty of benefits of wearing slippers at home but I should add that they need to be the right slippers especially if you have problem feet.
Ordinary slippers may be warm and protect your feet however they can also sometimes lack support. This means that if you have a problem such as plantar fasciitis or flat feet wearing those slippers for too long can cause foot pain.
If you have problems like these then really do think about buying a pair of slippers with arch support to prevent the problem. Yes, you may pay a little more but that extra support can make a difference. See my guide to the best slippers for standing all day which talks about some of the most comfortable and supportive slippers on the market.
This point has become particularly important since working from home has become a bigger thing. If you are wearing slippers all day at home then it makes sense to invest a little more in your home footwear.
Vionic footwear does a great line of shoes and slippers that offer extra support. Try their Nessie Mule Slipper which has an orthotic insole so that you can protect your feet and prevent foot pain.
The fact is wearing slippers around the house isn’t a nice to have but an essential for your health and wellness. Bare feet or socks are not going to be helpful especially in winter so think about investing in a cozy pair of slippers and discover exactly what your feet have been missing.
Find Out More About Slippers
The Best Slippers for Sweaty Feet
Cozy Comfortable Slippers That Look Like Sneakers
How to Clean Smelly Sheepskin Slippers
How to Stop Slippers From Smelling
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