High Heels

Alternating high heels with lower ones enables your physique to adapt and benefit from the plus-points of all heel heights.

According to podiatrist Jon M. Sherman, totally flat shoes are not the ideal for overall health of the feet or legs: a small heel is better. “Low heels of half to three quarters of an inch are good for both the front and back of the foot,” he says.

“Small heels not only help reduce tension in tendons and ligaments around the foot, they also help the calf muscles – which are tight in many women – to relax.” Higher heels (11/2in-21/2in) are best worn for limited periods, say around three to eight hours, providing you are having sitting breaks for half that time. At other times, wear lower heels.