SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) –What part of the human body contains almost a quarter of the bones in your entire skeleton, has more sensory nerve endings per square inch than any other, and keeping it covered may be harmful to your health?
If you guessed your foot/feet, you’re correct.
But did you know that your feet are essential to your overall health?
Covered or uncovered feet? That is the question.
Studies show measurable differences between humans who consistently wear shoes and humans who do not.
Those who go shoeless take shorter, more frequent strides and have stronger feet with fewer foot and toe deformities. And those who don’t wear shoes typically have higher arches, too.
Going barefoot even helps with balance issues.
The feet of barefoot runners strike the ground in ways very different from their sneaker-clad counterparts, and studies show barefoot running is associated with reduced peak ground reaction force, reduced peak knee flex, and decreased power absorption at the knees.
Being barefoot gives humans the opportunity to pick up electrons from the earth, too.
Being barefoot is good for your health
The art of being barefoot to pick up electrons from the bare earth, often described as Earthing or grounding, is said to reduce inflammation, prevent and treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and produce measurable differences in white blood cells and cytokines. Being barefoot can even reduce pain levels.
Scientific experimentation has determined that grounding the body during sleep creates changes in circadian cortisol secretion levels that positively affect sleep, pain, and stress levels, too.
The study of how being barefoot can bring about better health is part of a field called environmental medicine.
Being barefoot makes a significant difference in the brain’s electrical activity, too. Study subjects reported mental health improvements after being grounded to the earth during sleep for eight weeks.
If being barefoot is so good for us, why do we wear shoes?
The journey from barefoot to wearing $1,000 stilettos has been no easy feat for feet.
Maybe the world’s very first shoe designer was inspired by a moment of creativity when standing on hot sands, or perhaps the cold of the ice on a frigid morning made ancient man decide, instantly, that frostbite on toes should be prevented.
But years later, after footwear has traveled the distance between function and form, it appears that shoes might be heading back in the direction of function again.
From minimalist barefoot socks that act as your shoes to shoes that give your toes literal wiggle-room, it’s easy to find alternatives for those who want to try being barefoot but are afraid of not wearing shoes.
But remember that being barefoot can have disadvantages.
Just use common sense and pay attention to where you go barefoot. After all–you only get one set of feet in this life.
So when you have the chance, kick off your shoes and enjoy being barefoot. There are real benefits to going shoeless!
FAQs
The art of being barefoot to pick up electrons from the bare earth, often described as Earthing or grounding, is said to reduce inflammation, prevent and treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and produce measurable differences in white blood cells and cytokines. Being barefoot can even reduce pain levels.
Why is being barefoot healthy? ›
Walking barefoot offers many benefits. These include stronger feet, better balance, and less stress. But there are also risks –– such as cuts or infections –– that make it unsuitable for some. To minimize those risks, walk barefoot on soft, gentle surfaces, such as indoor carpeting, grass, or sand.
What is the science behind bare feet? ›
The Biological Basis of Barefoot Benefits
This process, known as grounding or earthing, has been shown to have several beneficial effects. Research suggests that the exchange of electrons can neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, two underlying factors in many chronic diseases.
What are the benefits of being barefoot in nature? ›
Barefoot walking has been shown to help increase antioxidants, reduce inflammation and improve sleep.
Is it okay to be barefoot all the time? ›
Going barefoot compromises your gait
Walking around shoeless eventually weakens your muscles and arches too, which leads to overpronation and all of the complications that implies — unstable ankles, painful knees and hips, and an aching back.
Are there real benefits to barefoot shoes? ›
Some of the Health benefits that Barefoot shoes can provide are improvement of body posture & balance, more significant calories being burnt while exercising, developing a more natural gait and a great degree of movement in the ankle & foot.
Is being barefoot good for your brain? ›
Being barefoot sharpens the homunculus of the foot in the brain and lays the foundation for better balance and improved motor control through the increased information intake and subsequent brain growth.
Are there benefits to not wearing shoes? ›
Being barefoot is good for your health
Being barefoot can even reduce pain levels. Scientific experimentation has determined that grounding the body during sleep creates changes in circadian cortisol secretion levels that positively affect sleep, pain, and stress levels, too.
What does the Bible say about bare feet? ›
God calls to him out of the bush, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” My Sunday School teachers told me that God told Moses to take off his sandals for the same reason that my mother told me to take off my dirty shoes after playing outside.
Were humans meant to be barefoot? ›
Research suggests that humans began wearing sandals or moccasins more than 40,000 years ago—and there's a good reason for that. Footwear provides important structural support, comfort, and protection from a wide variety of threats, including sharp objects on the ground, pests, heat, and invisible germs.
For decades, people have been challenging the status quo of wearing shoes. They say that walking barefoot, also known as “earthing” or “grounding,” connects them to nature, and they claim it leads to a myriad health benefits, such as reduced inflammation, pain and stress – even if strolling through concrete jungles.
What feels good when barefoot? ›
Relieves Stress
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.
What are the spiritual benefits of going barefoot? ›
Walking barefoot connects us to the calming security of the earth. Whether you think of this as a spiritual grounding or simply a physical pleasure, the soles of our feet can tread a pathway to calm.
Why is barefoot better than shoes? ›
Those who go shoeless take shorter, more frequent strides and have stronger feet with fewer foot and toe deformities. And those who don't wear shoes typically have higher arches, too. Going barefoot even helps with balance issues.
Is it better to wear socks or go barefoot? ›
Walking barefoot at home for an extended amount of time can result in the development of foot deformities, this is from the imbalances in pressure that happen when you walk barefoot. Wearing socks at home alleviates this as it provides a cushion effect to improve your balance, when walking.
What happens if you don't wear your shoes? ›
Walking or standing barefoot for long stretches — particularly on hard floors — can lead to increased pressure and stress on the feet due to a lack of cushion and protection, which can lead to foot pain such as plantar fasciitis (pain and inflammation across the bottom of the foot), metatarsalgia (pain at the ball of ...
Why does it feel better to be barefoot? ›
Being barefoot feels good because it allows better sensory perception, making you much more aware of the environment around you. Walking with shoes covering your feet is like wearing blinders on the eyes, or earmuffs covering the ears. Shoes or any footwear numb a vital part of your sense organs, the ability to feel.
Why are podiatrists against barefoot shoes? ›
Because of the lack of heel cushioning, minimalist shoes have been associated with an increased incidence of heel (calcaneal) fractures, especially in high arched, rigid foot types.
How long do you need to walk barefoot for grounding? ›
Take off your shoes and socks, head outside and feel the effects of grounding right away. Studies show that just 30 minutes of grounding barefoot can heal pain, reduce inflammation and improve quality of sleep.
