Walking Barefoot: Why and How to do it?

Who doesn’t like to spend time with nature feeling fresh air and chirping of birds in the morning? Starting your morning on a fresh note can help you kick-start your day with a bang! Going for early morning walks soaking the sunlight and feeling of the fresh grass when walking barefoot can take you to a trans! If you can visualize these morning scenes, then it’s time to head to a nearby park, remove your shoes and enjoy your morning walk as you breathe fresh air and get relaxed. Wondering why walking barefoot? Read this!

Walking through the grass barefoot, commonly known as “earthing” or “grounding” is a simple yet nourishing practice. It not only enables you to relate to the natural energy of the earth but also helps to ground you, center you and clear your mind of negativity. This uplifting practice regenerates your whole body and can be done as often as you would like it. It makes you feel relieved and happy and is among the best exercises for healthy living.

Fresh grass, warm sunlight, and beautiful natural surroundings can make anyone shun their footwear and enjoy walking barefoot. It turns out, walking barefoot on grass has its share of benefits as well. When we walk barefoot our skin comes in contact with the earth directly and the negative ions present in the earth can help balance the positive ions in our body creating a balance that improves our health in many ways. While walking barefoot on grass, the pressure on your feet gets activated and gives your body energy as well as improves your health.

A)Improves Eyesight

Walking barefoot on grass is an effective way to improve eyesight naturally. There are points under the feet to which eye nerve system is attached. According to reflexology, applying pressure to those points you can energize the eyes. Looking at green also relax your eye muscles.

B)Relieves Stress

Green is a soothing color that helps calm your mind and reduces tension. When you walk barefoot on grass, the level of endorphins(feel-good hormones) in your body increases. Research also shows that walking barefoot on grass helps to decrease stress level by 62 percent.

C)Keeps Feet Healthy

When you walk bare feet, the skin of the feet is stretched and kept relaxed. The muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the feet are also get strengthened and hence there is no chance of any sore feet. Also, walking barefoot improves the flexor strength which is beneficial for people who have flat feet.

D)Reduces pain and inflammation

Grounding is an easy and all-natural way to deal with swelling and inflammation caused due to injuries. Walking barefoot on grass stimulates almost an immediate action to get rid of inflammation. And when inflammation is reduced, oxygenated blood flows more freely and efficiently which makes you heal faster. With improved circulation, the blood carries the health-restorative nutrients to the farthest and minutest corners of the body and promotes faster recovery.

E)Improves the body’s sleep cycle

Recent studies have shown positive effects of walking barefoot on grass towards a deeper and more restful sleep. A bit of earthing can help stabilize your body clock by improving the consistency of your circadian rhythm and maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Physical contact with the earth’s surface helps reduce the level of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body, thereby promoting sound sleep.

F)Aids in maintaining your posture

Walking barefoot is also a great exercise for the feet as it strengthens and stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in our feet, ankles, and calves. This helps keep the posture upright and maintain good health. It also reduces the risk of developing calluses, strains, and stiffness in the soles of the feet.

Walking barefoot engages your foot muscles in a way that reinforces a natural walking pattern. This natural gait with improved biomechanics– posture, body awareness, and balance can help with pain relief, in part by enhancing the body mechanics of the knees, hips, and core. Moving the way nature intended can lead to stronger leg and core muscles which support and improve lower back strength and tone.

G)Provides Vitamin D

When you walk barefoot on grass, you are exposed to the direct sun’s rays. These rays help nourish the body by activating the production of Vitamin D, which is also known as the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D keeps your bones healthy and prevents osteoarthritis and other bone and joint related diseases. So make sure you get your daily dose of Vitamin D and also get the most of your health by walking barefoot in the morning.