Four Ways to Make Your Shoes Feel Better

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the vast majority of people experience foot pain at some point in their lives. The reason for most foot pain is that shoes fit poorly or force the feet into unnatural shapes. 【小题1】 Aside from carefully selecting the right shoes, there are some easy measures you can take to keep your feet from being painful.

1. Stretching Your Shoes

If your feet are rubbing against your shoes this could indicate that you need more width, length or both. However, sometimes going to the next larger size is not a choice, as the next size may be too large. 【小题2】.

2. Using Shoe Inserts (插入物)

Both doctors and those in the shoe repair industry often recommend inserts to increase shoe comfort. 【小题3】.

3. 【小题4】

The way you lace (由带子系紧) your shoes can make a world of difference in their comfort. Lacing them too tightly or incorrectly can make your feet hurt. Cramped toes, rubbing on the top of the foot, and pressure on the big toe can likely be relieved if you lace your shoes different.

4. Wearing Socks

【小题5】.They are usually made of cotton or nylon. Not only do they add an extra layer of cushion to your shoes but they also keep your feet from sweating. This prevents moisture (水汽) from forming in the shoe. Moisture in your shoes can cause blisters and calluses on your feet.

   Light therapy is not the only treatment for jet lag（时差反应）.There are other things you can do to feel less tired the next time you travel. Sleep experts at the medical website WebMD have these suggestions on how to fight jet lag.

●【小题1】

Several days before you travel, start moving your bedtime and hours for meals closer to the time you plan to eat and sleep on your trip.

●Start making small changes while in flight

Change your watch when you get on the airplane. This is playing a trick on your mind. But it can help you to start thinking of the time at the other end of the flight. Try to sleep on the plane if it is nighttime in the place where you are going.【小题2】.

● Arrive early

If you are traveling for work or for a personal reason, try to arrive a few days early, if possible. 【小题3】.

●Drink water

Drink lots of water before, during, and after your flight.【小题4】. Alcohol and coffee can have a bad effect on your sleep.

● Move around

【小题5】. But after you land, avoid heavy exercise near bedtime. Exercise near bedtime can delay sleep, whether on an overseas trip or at home.

If you travel, what are other tips you use to make it more enjoyable?

   Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in the human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction. “No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated (刺激), ”Edwards points out. “The problem is how we promote that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”

In the study, the robotic dogs, called AIBO, are placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activities before and after AIBO being placed. Then, the researchers will study the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.

“I talk to it all the time, and it responds (回应) to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady. “When I’m watching TV, it’ll stay in my arms until it wants to go down. It has a mind of its own.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog because it is metal and not furry,” Beck says. “But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”

“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels, or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”