How the body can react when we start walking barefoot more often

10/1/2020 Update: Added reference links to scientific studies conducted on the subject. We’ve added the pros and cons of going barefoot along with some contraindications.

A magazine article Science Direct explains the qualities of the calling grounding or earthing, tendency whose principle is to connect to the earth or some natural surface through the feet, so that the organs receive its magnetic energy. Even if you don’t have a garden, doing it indoors is also a great option.

O awesome.club shares the reasons why you should go barefoot more often. After all, many believe that taking off your shoes after a busy day is a liberating feeling. In the end, we bring you a bonus to know the pros and cons of this practice!

Walking freely without shoes can help reduce stress and at the same time help with blood oxygenation, inflammation and sleep disturbances. This simple action can take us back to childhood, which helps to create positive feelings.

It is important to let your feet sweat naturally and let them rest from the “enclosure” that our shoes cause. At the same time, the practice of walking barefoot can help to avoid humidity and, consequently, the bad smell produced by it. Walking barefoot in the sand, for example, can be a natural exfoliant.

As we know, there are a multitude of nerve endings in the feet that serve as a reference for some forms of alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and reflexology. Sensory receptors in the foot detect differences in the surface of the ground and transmit signals to the brain. Creating calluses on the feet can help create stronger neural connections between the feet and the brain.

Our ancestors evolved walking without shoes. Because of this, the mechanics of movement and joints in the human body are naturally adapted to walking barefoot. In addition, practicing activities that are already carried out barefoot, such as yoga or pilates can be a good option.

“Put your shoes on, or you’ll get sick.” Surely you’ve heard your mother say that sentence. Well, we have good news: research by Wendy Menigoz and her team suggests that walking barefoot can be used as a strategy in the treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases, as it decreases the stress response.

But look carefully: you need to have common sense when walking around barefoot, because some people are more fragile than others, and it may be that, given some exaggerations, this could complicate a health condition when it is already compromised.

The act of walking, by itself, is already very good, as the calf muscles help the veins to do their job of returning blood to the heart. Walking barefoot, according to the study by Wendy Menigoz, further improves blood flow and lymphatic return (in addition to having other benefits for the body).

Walking can (and should) be a pleasurable act. Even better if this walk is in environments such as cold water, damp grass, the bank or bed of a creek or the sand of a beach.

Pros:

it can help to have greater control over the position of the foot on the ground; can help improve balance, proprioception and body awareness, often also aiding in pain relief; can help improve foot mechanics, consequently improving hip, knee and core mechanics; it can help restore the “natural” walking pattern, our physiological gait; it can help relieve pain caused by inappropriate shoes; it can help keep your leg muscles stronger, aiding in lower back support.

Cons:

walking barefoot outside the house can be dangerous, as the ground is often uneven, can contain bacteria, stones, etc.; for those who are used to always having shoes on, it is necessary to “prepare” their feet: walk a little a day, indoors (safe surface), so as not to cause injuries; for people with diabetes, it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting hikes without shoes; some people may have reduced foot sensitivity and not notice if they get hurt. It’s important to always examine your feet and check for any cuts or bruises.

There are doctors who say that walking barefoot is good for health, while others think that there is not enough evidence to support this.

And you, what do you think? Do you like to walk barefoot? Do you have an experience you want to share with us? Comment here. We will love to read your stories.