I remember a guy who went barefoot everywhere in the university. To me, he seemed strange and eccentric but it turns out he was on to something.
Also called “earthing” or “grounding”, the simple act of walking barefoot has gone from being a kooky counter-culture trend to a scientifically-researched practice with a number of remarkable health benefits. When your bare skin comes in contact with the earth directly, the negative ions present in the earth can help balance the positive ions in your body and this will improve your health in many aspects.
The top ten barefoot walking benefits are listed below
1. It can improve your sleep
A study revealed that earthing induces relaxation that is why people who had been exposed to grounding had a better night sleep compared to those who did not walk barefoot regularly.
2. Walking barefoot improves nervous system
When your feet come into direct contact with the sand or grass, the pressure on our foot activates the acupuncture points of the foot and this, in turn, helps in stimulating the nerves and veins. This improves the nervous system of our body.
3. Increases immunity
Stimulation of the nervous system while walking barefoot improves one’s immunity. Researchers found that walking barefoot can decrease white blood cell count and increase red blood cell count, indicating a positive immune response since red blood cells do more work now and then than white blood cells. We have noticed that kids love to play around barefooted. This makes them stronger and also their immunity is enhanced.
4. Improves cardiovascular
It is said earlier that earthing increase red blood cell count. It also increases the surface charge of red blood cells. This result in the reduction of clumping in the cells, which therefore decreases blood thickness. In other words, it improves blood circulation. Increase in the level of blood circulation improves the cardiovascular system. Earthing, therefore, reduces the risk of heart disease significantly.
5. Lessen the severity of menstrual cramps
All pain we feel within our body starts from the mind and manifest as stress which can greatly impact menstrual cramps. Because grounding reduces overall pain, it should not come as a surprise that walking barefoot can ease menstrual cramps, as well.
6. Decrease in inflammation
Inflammation is caused by damage cells which leads to cancer, heart diseases and other problems. By walking barefoot on the ground, the electrons present in the earth act as antioxidants that help to decrease the inflammation.
7. Grounding can eliminate headaches
Migraines have been linked in some instances to prolonged exposure to radiation and since earthing literally ground the body and reduces free radicals, it can relieve a headache as well.
8. Reduction in chronic pain
Electrons present in earth help enrich our immune system. The electrons are absorbed by our body which helps reduce chronic or acute pain in our body.
9. Eyes sight can be improved
There is a pressure point on the foot that connects with the nerves of the eye. When you work barefoot in the morning on grass, the pressure point is stimulated which helps in improving your eyesight.
10. Blood pressure is controlled
The nerves of the feet are stimulated and stress levels come down when you walk barefoot on the ground. Since stress is released, this helps in controlling the blood pressure.
Walking barefoot cannot only cure chronic pains, inflammation, and insomnia among others but can also improve your posture, stress, slows down ageing and also helps in healing injuries faster. Walking barefoot can improve both your mental and physical health.
