5 Benefits of Walking Barefoot
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Human beings were meant to have contact with the earth. Sometimes we have to have footwear for safety or societal rules. That said, when we can go barefoot, I think we should. Let’s look at some of the benefits of walking barefoot.
5 Benefits of Walking Barefoot
I’ve always been a fan of bare feet, but noticed changes in my feet associated with menopause. I talked to my chiropractor, and he said that my joints were loosening up, and suggested wearing shoes for support.
We usually agree on most things, so I gave it a try. It seemed to help at first, but recently, I developed chronic foot pain. I started an exercise routine specifically for my feet, and went back to barefoot walking. This brings us to our first benefit.
1. Pain Relief
Direct contact with the earth – earthing or grounding – may reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and boost the immune system. When I started walking barefoot on grass again, I noticed a significant improvement in my foot pain levels.
Additionally, wearing shoes changes the mechanics of how we walk and run. Barefoot runners and those with minimalist shoes usually hit with a fore-foot strike or mid-foot strike, while shod runners hit with a rear-foot strike. This change increases the risk for injury.
Studies suggest that barefoot walking benefits those with persistent plantar heal pain.
2. Stress Relief
Time in nature and in contact with the soil may not just improve foot health, but overall health and wellbeing. Outside time in a natural setting can lower cortisol levels (the “stress hormone”) and reduce depression.
One version of this is “forest bathing” known as shinrin-yoku in Japan. Even looking at a pastoral image can trigger relaxation, but taking a walk outside is even better.
3. Boost Your Immune System
A 2015 study notes, “Grounding an organism produces measurable differences in the concentrations of white blood cells, cytokines, and other molecules involved in the inflammatory response.”
This may speed wound healing and boost immune response. The photos in the study summary are dramatic. They show improved healing and reduced inflammation via infrared imaging.
4. Better Sleep
The same study also looked at sleep quality. They found that grounding improved sleep quality and circadian cortisol profiles. This means that the study participants slept better at night and were more alert during the day.
5. Stronger, Healthier Feet
When walking barefoot or using minimalist shoes, the feet have room to spread and flex. This restores our natural gait, and impacts the muscle groups of the hips, knees, and core in addition to the feet.
Children who are allowed to go barefoot have stronger and more coordinated foot muscles, and may learn to walk sooner with fewer falls. Going barefoot may also help with varicose veins and edema, as the greater range of foot motion improves blood and lymph circulation.
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Barefoot Kids
The picture below is from March 2007. My kids were almost always barefoot. It was a warm late winter day, and although there was still snow on the ground, puddles of meltwater were everywhere.
Our yard was still a mess at this point, so the boys could dig wherever they pleased. They decided they needed to make a BIGGER puddle – but once the water had filled in, it was just too cold to play in.
They put their problem solving skills to work to come up with a solution. Little brother stayed in the mud hole while his older brother brought warm water in a kettle from inside. (Note: boards on ground because older brother didn’t want to walk in the icy mud).
If you’d like to learn more about barefoot kids, visit Parents for Barefoot Children. The site includes history, health benefits, and ideas for fun activities to try barefoot.
One of the saddest parts of the end of the gardening season is less barefoot dirt time for my tootsies. I do try and get out from time, and still go barefoot or stocking feet inside most of the time. I walk barefoot outside year round, but in winter I can’t stay out long!
Do you spend time walking barefoot? I know it’s difficult in some areas where thorny plants like grassburs are common. If you can’t go barefoot, minimalistic shoes with plenty of toe room are a good option.
I love any option that can help your body to heal itself for free! It feels good, too.
More Natural Health Articles
Health comes from within, and it’s up to each of us to help our bodies to heal. Here are some more ideas and tips to try.
How to Improve Vision Naturally (I did it)
25 Immune Boosting Herbs and Spices
7 Tips for Better Bowel Movements
This article was written by Laurie Neverman, engineer by training, health researcher by calling. Disappointed by mainstream advice to “just live with it”, she’s devoted her time to learning more about helping the body to heal. You can read more about how she cleared her skin of psoriasis in her book, “Psoriasis Healing“.
Originally published in 2011, last updated in 2024.