12 SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS OF GOING BAREFOOT YOU PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW

Walking barefoot, also known as “earthing” is nolonger a kooky counter-culture, primitive life or poverty. Scientific research has shown that there are a number of remarkable health advantages that go with it.

Earthing means walking barefoot on soil, grass or sand (meaning any natural surface) How and when, wearing of shoes became so fashionable that we tend to wear it wherever we go or is a subject of its own discussions, the fact however remains that we were born with the right shoes.  If you are in doubt, have you ever wondered why mother nature put those hard flesh under your feet.  They are actually meant carry you around.  That is not to say that wearing of shoes is in any way wrong.  The essence is to remind us of the need for moderation.  According, to Livescience.com,  Humans started wearing shoes about 40,000 years ago.

Going barefoot has numerous health benefits,  Here are 12 Proven Health Benefits of going barefoot

1. We need to bond with the earth electron: This is our origin. Early studies are showing that the health benefits come from the relationship between our bodies and the electrons in the earth. The planet has its own natural charge, and we seem to do better when we are in direct contact with it.
2. Improves Sleep and reduces pain: A review published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health looked at a number of studies that highlight how drawing electrons from the earth improves health. In one, chronic pain patients using grounded carbon fiber mattresses slept better and experienced less pain.
3. Reduce Stress and Boost Immunity: Another study found that earthing changed the electrical activity in the brain, as measured by electroencephalograms. Still other research found that grounding benefited skin conductivity, moderate heart rate variability, improved glucose regulation, reduced stress and boosted immunity.
4. Walking barefoot increases the Surface charge of red blood cells: One Study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that walking barefoot increases the surface charge of red blood cells, As a result, the cells avoid clumping, which decreases blood viscosity. High viscosity is a significant factor in heart disease, which is why so many people take blood thinning aspirin each day to improve their heart health.
5. Help regulate both the endocrine and nervous systems. Another study also confirmed this as well.
6. Feeling Grounded: It helps with energy release, ground you both physically and mentally. The energy gives you a sense of security and stability. For me, being connected to the Earth only seems natural.
7. Healthy Feet: At times due to constant shoe wearing, we develop corns on some forms of growth on our toes, Going barefoot will naturally resolved issues of this nature. Foot exercise keeps the feet healthy and flexible.
8. Freedom: The feet and mind are free. This is more spiritual than physical. Our mental state definitely improves thus helping our overall health. Being able to do what you want to do allows you to become the person you want to be . There is just something about going barefoot and being connected to nature. It make you feel free like you are a kid again.
9. Blood Circulation: A fan of walking barefoot shared his new discovery and the accompanying feeling. “ My feet are not cold anymore. I used to have the worst circulation in my feet and hands. My limbs would be ice cold and there was no way to warm them up unless I put them on a heater. Now my feet are the last part to get cold and I never have to wear socks around the house. It is a drastic change from last year. So far I have been able to be solely barefoot in 35ish degree weather without feeling cold.”
10. Awareness:  Going bare foot makes you completely aware of yourself,  if there is pain anywhere in the body, the message is relayed and received on time for appropriate measures, rather than being covered with shoes.  Our body communicates to all the other organs of the body whether we are asleep or awake.   But with  shoes, the messages may not be received well.
11. More Energy:  I personally feel more energy going barefoot, some shoes are not only heavy but uncomfortable to carry along.  Especially as you age, you have less energy to carry excess luggage, including some heavy clothings.  I suddenly noticed my aged mother is so selective of her clothing, only the light clothing goes  for her.   This is more clue  to the fact that wearing shoes all the time other than for occasions, or for protection on rocky grounds are unnecessary
12. Completely In Tone With God,  Yes, Have ever wondered why God asked moses to remove his shoes,  because the place where you are standing is a holy ground.  To the prudent, what this is simply saying is that going barefoot brings closer to your maker to a place and point where He can speak to and fellowship with you as in the burning bush. "And He said Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off they fee, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground" (Exodus 3:vs 5)

Here are a few of the words from barefooters

Another person says “I have a renewed appreciation for my 5 senses. Before going barefoot I never paid attention to pebbles, sticks, grass, pinecones, stumps, wet grass, mud or the changing weather. My senses have heightened exponentially. I have to pay attention to what is below me and in front of me, not only for myself but also for my two little ones. I am always in awareness overdrive.”

Hear another testimony of a barefooter “ I am moving forward with a positive outlook and hope that barefooters won’t be put down or frowned upon anymore. We are a unique bunch who simply love feeling grounded and free. It is the ultimate primal living experience. We aren’t hurting anyone or ourselves”.

ADDITIONAL TIPS ON WALKING BAREFOOT


Even if there were no proven benefits to walking barefoot, it is still worth taking occasional walk on barefoot whether on the grass, sand, floor of the house or any natural setting as little as 20 – 30minutes a day, this can reduce cancer risk, improve cardiovascular health, moderate weight and prevent diabetes.
In addition, improves blood oxygenation, circulation, and immune response, removes toxins and relieve stress. Shoes and other such wears are stressors when they are two frequent.
Truly we can get many of these exercise benefits by using an indoor treadmill at the local gym, But without being outdoors in a natural environment, we miss out on many of the mental health benefits that are proven to increase when we spend time in nature.
Even if we enjoy going to the gym, It tends to be a chore. On the other hand, walking in nature is about being in the moment rather than trying to achieve something. Even more importantly, we are surrounded by fresh oxygen-rich air and beautiful scenery rather than gym smell and flat screen TVs and there is no membership fee to walking.

Waking also creates physical and emotional rhythms. Unlike running, which is by definition rushed and high impact walking is gentle, nourishing and gives us space. In addition, even a light stroll on barefoot releases endorphins. Most importantly, we breathe deeply.
As we walk, our breathing starts to synchronize with our motion. We experience a sense of expansion and freedom. Ultimately, walking becomes more than just exercise: it becomes a form of healing, removing our stress and replacing it with well being on every level.

By walking, we exercise our muscles and cardiovascular system, improve our mental health, reduce stress and support our overall wellness. Simply taking our shoes off seems to multiply those benefits by allowing us to synchronize with the earth’s natural electric charge. On an evolutionary level, this all makes complete sense, we came close to the earth and it is only relatively recently that we have been so keen to remove ourselves from nature,

So Let us find time to go barefooted, and do not forget to share with us here your experience.

Summary

Ref:  Livescience.com
        mindbodygreen.com
        King James Version