Science is putting its best foot forward to confirm what our ancestors knew instinctively – walking barefoot on natural surfaces offers remarkable health benefits. It wasn’t simply that they hadn’t invented shoes! The benefits of going barefoot on natural surfaces go beyond the simple pleasure of feeling sand between your toes or grass tickling your soles – though the experience is a genuine mood enhancer!
When we walk barefoot on surfaces like grass or sand, we engage tiny muscles in our feet that rarely get attention in shoes – especially the heavily cushioned variety that are so popular among modern humans! Letting our feet out of their cushioned confines allows them to do the work, helping to strengthen our natural arch support and improve overall foot mechanics.
Sand walking, in particular, provides a natural form of resistance training, requiring 2.1-2.7 times more energy than walking on hard surfaces. The varied textures stimulate thousands of nerve endings in our feet, improving proprioception (our body’s position awareness) and balance. Additionally, research suggests that direct contact with the Earth’s surface can reduce inflammation and improve sleep patterns through the transfer of beneficial electrons from the ground.
Simple solutions to living better – simply kick off your shoes and step lightly!
