Ever wondered why it feels so good to kick off your shoes and walk barefoot on the grass? It’s not just a whimsical urge to connect with nature. Walking barefoot, also known as ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’, offers significant health benefits that are backed by science.
5 Health Benefits of Walking Barefoot
Unveiling the scientific truth behind walking barefoot, alternatively known as ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’, can expose its vast impact on human health. Rooted in proven research, this activity entails more than simple foot-to-Earth contact.
Walking barefoot, it’s vital to first distinguish, has received considerable attention from the scientific community. For instance, a study conducted by the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of California [1] illustrated the positive influence of ‘earthing’ on inflammation and wound healing. The act of barefoot contact with Earth’s surface, essentially, engulfs the body with negatively charged, free electrons abundantly available on the ground. These electrons function as antioxidants, reducing the amount of free radicals — unstable molecules that can damage cells — and thereby diminishing inflammation.
Pioneers in this field, such as Dr. James Oschman [2], affirm that grounding connections create an electrochemical balance in the body. This balance, according to their work, boosts overall health by strengthening our immune response, improving sleep, and reducing pain.
Please, remember that grounding should be practiced in clean, safe environments and only as an additional measure to maintain health, not as a substitute for medical treatment.
The 5 Health Benefits of Walking Barefoot
Barefoot walking, backed by science, offers multiple health rewards. Here are five significant benefits associated with this natural practice.
Benefit 1: Improvement in Sleep Patterns
Trekking barefoot aids in better sleep. Unequivocally, research reveals a correlation between grounding and raised melatonin levels, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. For instance, a study by Chevalier, Sinatra, Oschman, Delany, (2012), notices enhanced sleep in individuals practicing regular barefoot walking.
Benefit 2: Reduction in Chronic Pain
Barefoot walking helps in pain management. Specified research by Brown, Chevalier, Hill (2015) describes reduced chronic pain in subjects engaging in grounding activities, making it a suggested practice for chronic pain sufferers.
Benefit 3: Decrease in Inflammation and Immunity Boost
This natural practice is a potent inflammation reducer and immunity enhancer. Exemplary literature such as Oschman, Chevalier, Brown (2015) suggests that negatively charged electrons from the Earth combat free radicals, curbing inflammation and boosting immunity.
Walking barefoot also soothes stress. It notably promotes calmness by shifting the body’s autonomic nervous system from a stressed (sympathetic) state to a relaxed (parasympathetic) one. For instance, a study by Chevalier (2015) associates grounding to decreased cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Lastly, it strengthens foot musculature. Evidently, research by Hollander et al. (2017) indicates a development in foot muscle size and strength in regular barefoot walkers, demonstrating it as a fine physical conditioning tool.
Incorporating Barefoot Walking into Your Daily Routine Safely
Incorporating barefoot walking into daily life demands smart decision making. This includes choosing appropriate surfaces and practicing mindfulness during the activity.
Picking the Right Surface for Barefoot Walking
Selecting the right surface for barefoot walking contributes significantly to its health benefits. Ideal surfaces include grass, sand, and smooth pavements as they’re gentle on the feet. For example, a beach offers soft sand which can act like a natural foot massage, while a grassy park brings you closer to nature and its healing properties. Smooth pavement, found in cities and towns, can also serve as a safe space for walking barefoot. It’s advised to steer clear from rough terrains, such as rocky paths or prickly grass fields, to prevent foot injuries.
Walking barefoot also soothes stress. It notably promotes calmness by shifting the body’s autonomic nervous system from a stressed (sympathetic) state to a relaxed (parasympathetic) one. For instance, a study by Chevalier (2015) associates grounding to decreased cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Lastly, it strengthens foot musculature. Evidently, research by Hollander et al. (2017) indicates a development in foot muscle size and strength in regular barefoot walkers, demonstrating it as a fine physical conditioning tool.