Walking barefoot may also help improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles and ligaments of the foot which improves the function of the foot, reducing injuries of the foot, and improving posture and balance of the body. Walking barefoot on a clean and soft surface is perfectly fine.
When we make a connection with the Earth, when we ground through barefoot walking, there has been found to be a reduction in white blood cells and an increase in red blood cells, which hints to better immunity. Barefoot walking has been shown to help increase antioxidants, reduce inflammation and improve sleep.
While a healthy person can go barefoot for limited periods , people who are older, or have underlying health issues such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, poor circulation, arthritis or neuropathy should always wear supportive cushioned shoes or slippers.
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.
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.
Wearing shoes or slippers inside is about more than just comfort. Doctors recommend them over walking barefoot at home to prevent injuries and accidents and keep your feet in top shape.
Podiatrists will, generally, always be motivated by what is best for the patient and if the evidence says that barefoot running is beneficial, then they will be recommending it. There are even Podiatrists who are barefoot runners!
So, it's clear that the human foot is indeed capable of safely tolerating a wide variety of surfaces, including harder surfaces, such as stone, asphalt, or concrete.
Although carpets may feel soft and comfortable, walking barefoot is not advisable. It is a common myth that several homeowners believe that going barefoot is the best way to keep the carpet clean. However, it is untrue, and walking barefoot can cause even more harm.
Results. 45% (95% CI: 41.5–49.5%) of the participants in our sample were classified as habitually barefoot. More than half of the sample reported being barefoot most of the time at home (n = 404, 56.6%) and during PE class (n = 420, 58.8%).
Humans have walked and run barefoot for millions of years. 1 Indirect evidence suggests that footwear emerged as recently as ~30 000 years ago. 2 The majority of time since then, humans have worn minimalist footwear designed to protect the sole of the foot.
Experts suggest that you can reap all the benefits of walking barefoot on grass in a daily stroll of about 15 to 30 minutes.
3. Walking barefoot on non-carpeted surfaces. Did you know that simply walking around on your living room hardwood floor can be incredibly damaging to the protective cushion of your foot. Hard surfaces lack shock absorption, meaning that the pads of your feet absorb the impact from every step you take.
Walking barefoot gives you better control of the foot position and reduces the pressure of heel strike on the ground by your feet. It is also known to improve the foot arch, strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the feet and leg.
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.
In the quest for preventing back pain, many spine specialists recommend supportive shoes and reducing the time spent walking around barefoot. Once you realize the effect unsupported feet have on your gait, movement and posture, you may be willing to forego a little foot freedom for a healthier back!
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.
Going Barefoot Can Help Strengthen the Feet and Body
In other words, improper footwear can weaken foot and leg muscles and cause a loss of strength in the feet and body that will more than likely lead to physical pain over time because so many functions of our feet become altered when wearing shoes.
Our Contoured Footbed Encourages Foot Health
Therefore, over time, the footbed yields to the characteristics of an individual foot. Many long-term Birkenstock wearers find that the longer you wear them, the more comfortable they become. The shape of a Birkenstock follows the contours of a healthy foot.
Some reasons why some podiatrists are hesitant to endorse these light weight style Sketchers shoes includes: Minimal to no stability in the heel to counteract a heel that “rolls-in” excessively. No stability in the midsole.
There are benefits to walking barefoot on soft surfaces such as carpeted flooring, grass, or sand (not hard wood floors) which include increased circulation which increases the nourishment of nerves, muscles, and bone of the foot and also helps minimize swelling of the lower extremities.
Relieves Stress
Green is a soothing color that helps calm your mind and reduces tension. 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.
Your feet may be made for walking, but walking barefoot isn't always a good idea – especially in public places. Walking outside under controlled conditions, in your own, well-maintained yard, may be fine. However, walking around outside in public while barefoot can be hazardous to your health.
However, walking while wearing socks may be dangerous. Walking in socks without shoes or in slippers without a sole has been associated with falls in women [9]. Being barefoot or wearing socks without shoes may also increase the risk of falls from slipping or trauma from unexpected contact [10].