Nog meer redenen om nooit onze hakjes op te geven:
We've all heard more than enough about the bad news of wearing high heels: they cause leg and foot pain, they cause muscle pain, they cause varicose veins, they weaken muscles. To make matters worse, they are seen by some as tools of oppression. The high heel wearer is rendered clumsy or overly dainty, making her physically vulnerable, all in the interests of conforming to a male ideal of beauty. (Image courtesy of Flickr user MadPhotos1)
In short, heels are a tool of female enslavement that serve to make us weaker and more oppressed.
Isn't there any good news? We decided to take a look at the benefits of wearing high heels in a two-part series, the first examining the potential physical benefits and the second on the cultural level.
1. High heels are good for bladder control... and may even enhance your sex life.
In a 2008 study conducted by Dr. Maria Angela Cerruto, it was discovered that women with incontinance who wore high heels showed strengthened pelvic wall muscles. These are the same muscles that are associated with sexual pleasure, and that women are encouraged to strengthen by doing Kegels exercises. Many have thus concluded that the study proves that wearing high heels enhances one's sex life. This may be true since the same muscles show improved strength in high heel wearers (bonus!), but the study was not aimed at proving this fact.
2. High heels improve your posture.
When walking in heels, the muscles of the legs and core (the abdomen, especially) are forced to engage. It is harder to hold the body upright because the heels pitch you forward. In other words, your muscles are working more to hold you upright as opposed to falling over! When the core in engaged, the back is straighter and the neck muscles engage as well, improving the overall posture.
3. High heels can improve confidence and thus overall wellness.
If you love how you look in heels, you will feel great wearing them. Improved confidence is not just some intangible benefit, either. In large doses it reduces stress and anxiety, which greatly improves overall health and wellness.
UPDATE: Since writing this post a new health benefit of heels has been discovered: Heels are linked to healthier knees! Women who regularly wear 3 inch heels were less likely to be suffering from knee problems later in life. Other risk factors like being overweight before age 40 and knee injuries are much higher risks. The article goes on to say:
In fact, there was a link between regular dancing in 3in heels and a reduced risk of knee problems, she said.
'It is very unlikely that prolonged wearing of high-heeled shoes represents a risk factor'...
Read more here. Great news!
Bron:
www.highheelmom.com