Walking with shoes or slippers on is like our second nature. But the next time you decide to go for a stroll, make sure to take off your shoes and walk barefoot for a while. Interestingly, walking barefoot, which is also termed as ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’ has several benefits which are not known to many. It’s no longer a kooky counterculture but has become a scientifically proven healthy practice.
Let’s find out how walking barefoot keeps our mind and body healthy:
Our ancestors were wise enough to understand the benefits of staying close to the ground. The benefits include relaxation and relieving tension. When we walk bare feet, our body removes positive ions and allow negative ions to enter our body. Negative ions are known as natural anti-depressants and they help in improving sleep quality. So next time you walk barefoot on a beach or go swimming, you know that you will have a sound sleep.
Most of know are unaware why techniques such as martial arts and yoga are performed barefeet. Now here’s how it works. Our body consists of 70 per cent water and the more we stay grounded, the more it functions properly. Walking barefoot creates an ionic balance which directly influences our sense of well-being, sharpens our mind and provides mental stability.
Wearing fancy footwear is not the best practice. It weakens our foot surface and decreases flexibility and strength. Shoes impact our posture as they hinder the natural functioning of our feet. Weak feet means bad posture and bad posture leads to other deformities, such as neck pain, back pain and knee pain. By adopting this healthy practice of walking bare feet, we can strengthen our feet, ankles and toes.
The natural sensory experience makes our senses stronger. We often remain unaware of these natural experiences because of our shoes. Certain points on our feet when they touch the ground, stimulates our senses.
Also, while walking barefoot, we become more aware and alert to watch where we are walking. This alerts our mind and increases our senses.
It goes with the principle of gravity. As gravity pulls everything towards itself, our blood starts to circulate pretty well in our soles. Our walking process works as a counter effect, improving overall blood circulation in the body.
The better our blood circulates, lesser are the chances of blood clotting and coronary artery diseases. Walking barefoot charges the red blood cells and prevents our blood from getting thick.
Walking barefoot increases the venous return (rate of blood flow back to the heart) and makes our bones and muscles stronger. Walking barefoot in the sun also improves bone calcium but make sure to walk early in the morning or in the evening when the sun rays are not harmful.
Another benefit of walking barefoot is better immunity. Our foot sole provides numerous sensory receptors and nerve endings that send positive vibes to our body. This prepares our body to fight against diseases and hence, strengthens our immunity.
Many a times doctors recommend their eye patients to walk barefeet on the grass, early in the morning. It activates various pressure points on our feet, which boosts our eyesight.
[“source-timesofindia”]
