Everyone knows that walking is good for the body. It is low impact, so it won't damage your joints, and it doesn't require a gym membership. Exercise can help burn calories, reduce fat and strengthen the heart, but not too many people talk about the health benefits of walking barefoot.
To many people, walking around without shoes is a health hazard all its own. It's an accident waiting to happen. If you aren't used to walking barefoot, it can be painful until your feet develop protective callouses, and you have to watch out for sharp objects and stinging critters on the ground. Yet there are benefits to walking barefoot you may not know about.
Advertisement
1. Improves circulation
RunBare states that by walking without shoes, you use extra muscles in your feet and legs to help balance your body and send messages to your brain. By using these extra muscles, as with any workout, circulation is increased to your legs and feet.
2. Reduces inflammation
RunBare also says that the free radicals responsible for inflammation could possibly be reduced through a process called "grounding." Grounding is simply walking barefoot and allowing your body, which purportedly carries a positive charge in the free radicals, to dispel that charge when it comes into contact with the ground, which has a negative charge.
3. Provides a free reflexology session
Lallous' Lab claims that walking on uneven surfaces stimulates various places on the soles of the feet, acting as a free acupressure massage. In China, for example, there are many "reflexology footpaths" filled with smooth stones for people to walk barefoot over.
4. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine states that "grounding" appears to reduce clotting in red blood cells and the viscosity of red blood cells, which are major factors in cardiovascular disease.
5. Improves your overall posture and balance
According to Medical Daily, walking barefoot forces the body to work out the small muscles in the feet, strengthening them. The brain learns to pay attention to the signals sent from the feet, and posture and balance appears to improve. The Foundation for Health in Aging says that a recent study found that walking on cobblestone mats helped the elderly improve their balance and strength.
6. Improves overall fitness
According to the Foundation, that same study found that elderly adults who walked regularly on a cobblestone mat reduced their blood pressure, increased their balance and had better fitness overall compared to elderly adults who just did regular walking.
7. Avoids foot injuries
Shoes with arch support can allow the small muscles in the foot, known as "local stabilizers," to get lazy, and foot injuries can occur. According to Medical Daily, Professor Patrick McKeonin of Ithaca College's department of Exercise and Sports Science said, “The more people can go barefoot, such as at home or the office, is a really good thing.”
8. Helps protect your vision
Olwomen.com claims that reflexology, or acupressure, may help correct vision problems. The site recommends walking barefoot on grass to massage the big toe, which purportedly affects vision.
9. May help improve "electron deficiency"
According to Mercola.com, staying "grounded" allows your body to absorb extra electrons from the earth. These extra electrons are claimed to be a great source of antioxidants that could help rid your body of free radicals.
10. Helps replenish your vitamin D by walking in the sun
Most people know that the sun is an important natural source of vitamin D. The Health Site confirms that while you are out walking barefoot during the day, you are also allowing your body to absorb vitamin D.
11. Burns more calories when you walk on sand
Chron.com puts a slightly different twist on barefoot walking. To increase your exertion, try walking in sand, which takes twice the effort of walking on a hard surface, so you burn more calories during your workout.
12. Helps reduce stress and anxiety
Chron.com also points out that taking your shoes off for a nice walk on the beach helps relax you and reduce your stress. The "massage" your feet get helps reduce blood pressure by hitting the acupressure points on the bottom of your feet.
13. Exfoliates your skin
Soft Star recommends a walk on the beach for natural exfoliation. The sand rubs against the feet and removes dead skin cells. The salt water from the ocean softens the skin.
Advertisement
Shoes are necessary in life and great for many things, but going barefoot also has its advantages. From improving balance to reducing stress, spending some time going barefoot may have some definite perks.