Take Off Your Shoes: The Health Benefits of Barefoot Walking..
For most of human history, shoes were not a part of our daily lives. Our feet were designed to interact with the environment in which we lived and moved. However, in today’s world, we rarely walk barefoot. We wear shoes that provide cushioning, support, and protection, but often at the cost of restricting natural foot movement and reducing sensory feedback. Barefoot walking is an excellent way to reconnect with our bodies, enhance our foot health, and gain numerous physical and mental health benefits.
What is Barefoot Walking?
Barefoot walking is simply walking without shoes or footwear. It means allowing the soles of your feet to make direct contact with the ground beneath you. Walking barefoot allows your feet to interact with the environment, giving you more sensory feedback and promoting natural foot movement.
The Health Benefits of Barefoot Walking
- Improved Foot Health
Walking barefoot helps to strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the feet. It also helps to improve balance and stability. When you walk barefoot, your feet adapt to different surfaces, and you engage more muscles in your feet and legs.
- Reduced Risk of Foot Injuries
Walking barefoot can help reduce the risk of foot injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and ankle sprains. When you walk barefoot, you are more aware of your surroundings, and you can adjust your foot placement to avoid stepping on sharp objects or uneven surfaces.
- Improved Posture
Walking barefoot can help improve your posture. When you walk barefoot, your feet can more easily adjust to the terrain, and your body’s natural alignment is improved. Walking barefoot can also help to alleviate back pain and other posture-related problems.
- Increased Sensory Feedback
Walking barefoot provides more sensory feedback to the brain, improving overall body awareness. This increased awareness can help improve balance and coordination and can even help with conditions like ADHD and autism.
- Strengthened Immune System
Walking barefoot outdoors can expose you to a wide variety of microorganisms, which can help boost your immune system. Some studies suggest that exposure to a diverse range of microorganisms can help strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of allergies and autoimmune diseases.
The Health Benefits of Walking on Grass and in Nature
In addition to the benefits of walking barefoot, walking on grass and in nature can also provide numerous health benefits.
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Walking in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Exposure to green spaces and natural environments has a calming effect on the body and can help reduce cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress.
- Improved Mood
Walking in nature can also improve your mood. Exposure to natural environments can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.
- Increased Vitamin D
Walking outdoors in sunlight can also provide you with Vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and may have a protective effect against certain diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
- Improved Cardiovascular Health
Walking in nature can also improve your cardiovascular health. Walking on uneven terrain can provide a more challenging workout for your heart and lungs, improving your overall fitness.
- Enhanced Creativity
Walking in nature has been shown to enhance creativity. Exposure to natural environments can help stimulate the imagination and promote creative thinking.
“When I was young, I used to walk barefoot in the forest all the time. It’s important to connect with nature and the earth.”
– Miranda Kerr
Barefoot walking and walking on grass and in nature can provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. Walking barefoot can help improve foot health, reduce the risk of foot injuries, improve posture, increase sensory feedback, and strengthen the immune system. Walking in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, increase Vitamin D, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance creativity.
Ancient Asian wisdom has long recognized the benefits of barefoot walking and walking in nature. Here are a few examples:
- Ayurveda
Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine from India, recommends walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, sand, or dirt to improve overall health. Ayurvedic texts suggest that the earth’s energy, or prana, can be absorbed through the soles of the feet, promoting balance and vitality.
- Taoism
Taoism, a Chinese philosophy, teaches the importance of grounding oneself in nature. Walking barefoot on the earth is seen as a way to connect with the earth’s energy and promote physical and emotional well-being. Taoist teachings also emphasize the importance of walking in nature and observing the natural world to cultivate a sense of peace and harmony.
- Yoga
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice, includes a type of walking meditation known as “yoga walking.” This involves walking barefoot on natural surfaces while practicing mindfulness and focusing on the breath. Yoga walking is believed to promote relaxation, balance, and connection with nature.
- Japanese Forest Bathing
Japanese culture has a tradition called “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing, which involves spending time in nature to promote physical and mental health. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve mood. Walking barefoot in natural environments is a common practice in forest bathing.
Ancient Asian wisdom recognizes the importance of barefoot walking and walking in nature for promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual health. These practices have been used for centuries to promote balance, vitality, and well-being. By incorporating these practices into our daily lives, we can reconnect with the natural world and experience the many benefits of barefoot walking and walking in nature.
What About The Research? :
There have been a number of studies that have looked at the health benefits of being barefoot. Here are some examples:
- Improves Balance and Posture
A study published in the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology found that walking barefoot activates the foot muscles, which can help improve balance and posture. The study also found that walking barefoot can help prevent falls in older adults.
Reference: H. Sueki, et al. (2016). Effects of wearing shoes on static and dynamic balance in healthy older adults. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 30, 42-47.
- Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grounding, or walking barefoot on natural surfaces, can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body. The study found that grounding can reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and improve sleep quality.
Reference: C. Ober, et al. (2010). Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(3), 301-308.
- Strengthens Foot Muscles
A study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that walking barefoot can help strengthen the foot muscles, leading to improved balance and stability. The study also found that walking barefoot can help prevent foot injuries and improve foot health.
Reference: N. Hollander, et al. (2015). The Effect of Footwear and Foot Strike on Running Economy and Kinematics. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 8(1), 7.
- Improves Joint Mobility and Function
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that walking barefoot can help improve joint mobility and function in the feet and ankles. The study also found that walking barefoot can help reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries.
Reference: B. Kuhn, et al. (2018). Barefoot Walking: An Overview of the Evidence and Practical Recommendations. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 41(9), 790-795.
Overall, research suggests that walking barefoot can have a number of health benefits, including improved balance and posture, reduced pain and inflammation, stronger foot muscles, and improved joint mobility and function.
