The benefits of going barefoot

Have you ever wondered why you felt so good lying on the sand at the beach, looking at the clouds? Or even, how nice it was, on a hot day, to step on the grass without shoes?!

According to a book called “Grounding” by Ober Clinton and Martin Zucker, you were experiencing the flow of electrical energy from the Earth connecting to your physical body, which can have many benefits to a person’s health and well-being.

The benefits of contact with the Earth

“Grounding therapy,” as many people have heard of it, is simple and free. Simply connect your bare feet directly to the Earth and enjoy the benefits that, according to the book, include:

• Significant improvements in inflammation-related disorders;
• Significant improvements in relation to chronic pain;
• Improvement in sleep disorders;
• Energy boost;
• Decreased stress;
• Decreased muscle tension;
• Relief from headaches;
• Decreased hormonal and menstrual symptoms, among other benefits.

Do your “grounding”

Do you like the idea or do you want to prove if “grounding therapy” really offers results?!

Check out some tips:

• Start by standing, sitting, or lying on grass, sand, or unpainted concrete. All these surfaces will transmit the energies of the Earth.
• Pay attention to how you feel before you start. You can even record in a kind of “diary” this information about how you feel physically and emotionally, to later evaluate your healing process over time.
• Close your eyes and focus on releasing any pain or stress you may be feeling. If you are lying on the ground, open your eyes, and allow your imagination to “play” with the cloud formations.
• Spend at least half an hour in this chosen spot (standing, sitting or lying down) and disconnect from the world around you. Calm your thoughts and focus on what you are doing.
• After 30 minutes or so, return to the “present”. Pay attention to how your body and mind are now compared to when you started the activity.
• Or, simply take some time out of your day to walk barefoot and enjoy these benefits!

professional opinion

But does this grounding idea really make sense?

According to Roberto Ranzini, an orthopedist and sports doctor from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (USP), a full member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT) and a professional at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, in scientific terms, there is nothing concrete about “grounding therapy”. However, people should, from time to time, go barefoot, as a general recommendation.

“Walking barefoot is really beneficial. It favors the sensitivity of the foot as a whole and joint movement, which we call proprioception,” she says. “However, in medical-orthopedic terms, it is not advisable to take long walks without shoes, unless it is on regular, non-abrasive and soft ground like grass”, explains the orthopedist and sports doctor.

Roberto Ranzini says that in order to walk barefoot without compromising our health, we must consider the regularity and hardness of the ground. “That is, you should not walk long distances on terrain with many irregularities (holes and unevenness) and very hard, such as asphalt and stones”, he explains.

Physical activities

And in terms of physical activities, is it possible to practice some of them – such as a brisk walk or a run – without shoes?

According to the orthopedist and sports doctor, everything depends on the person’s adaptation, but, in general terms, it is contraindicated to do runs that generate a lot of impact, without adequate footwear. “Injuries are very frequent even using them. In addition to the feet, all the structures of the lower limbs withstand huge impacts, and with footwear, this is minimized,” he explains.

Therefore, do not risk doing physical activities barefoot without first consulting a professional you trust, who can give you all the appropriate guidelines and the possible risks of this practice.

But if the idea is to just take a short walk without shoes, don’t leave it for later! You will certainly enjoy good times and some health benefits!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.