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Benefits of Going Barefoot

Benefits of Going Barefoot

With summer around the corner there is no better time better time to pull off your shoes and enjoy the feeling of going barefoot. It turns out that going barefoot does not just make you feel good but there is now a lot of evidence to suggest that there is also a number of health benefits associated with it.

 

 

Fewer Injuries

Statistically, most of us wear cushioned, supportive shoes with a positive heel (meaning the heel is higher than the toe of the shoe). Typically, the dressier the shoe, the more noticeable the positive heel (especially for women) and the more “athletic” the shoe, the more cushioned. Heels and supportive running shoes are the norm, but it appears that they may cause more harm than good!

“Cushioned running shoes, which date back only to the 1970s, may seem comfortable but may actually contribute to foot injuries, say Daniel Lieberman, PhD, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University, and colleagues.” Supportive and cushioned shoes encourage the wearer to land on the heel of the foot when walking or running, as the shoe absorbs the impact. This alters the natural step and posture (watch babies who have just learned how to walk to see the difference!) and creates a different walking pattern.

 

 

Improve Your Posture

Highlighted again in the study by Prof. Dan Lieberman, “which showed that people who grow up running without shoes run differently than those of us who run shod.

Though the study did not speculate as to whether barefoot running was better or worse than running in shoes, it did demonstrate that making the switch resulted in softer landings and reduced impact force.” In other words, running/walking barefoot is an easy way to improve walking posture and help avoid joint problems.

 

 

Earthing or Grounding

According to the book “Earthing” the practice of earthing basically involves coupling your body to the Earth’s surface energy by walking, sitting or sleeping outside in direct contact with the Earth. When in direct contact with the Earth, your body becomes suffused with negative charged free electrons and equalizes to the same electric energy level as the earth. According to emerging research, Earthing can be beneficial in:

* Reducing inflammation by defusing excess positive electrons

* Reducing chronic pain

* Improving Sleep

* Increasing Energy

* Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones

* Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm

* Improving blood pressure and blood flow

* Relieving muscle tension and headache

* Lessens menstrual and female hormone symptoms

* Helping  support adrenal health

Going barefoot definitely seems like it has some amazing benefits. However if you want some great shoes which make you feel like going bear footed i invite you to explore our plimsolls and sandals range.

 

 

 

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