So, what does it mean to go barefoot?

Simply put, it is taking off your shoes and feeling the rugged earth beneath your feet. I would like you to think back to the last time that you took your shoes off after a long day of being on your feet and think back to what was the first thing that came to your mind? Pain, relief after your feet had been crushed for the past however long, or was it just the smell of sweat from your socks?

This draws me to the point where I will be opening. Is wearing shoes truly beneficial to us is anyway?

Humans are the most evolved and complex species on the planet; especially biomechanically. The feet and ankles contain 52 out of the total 206 bones in the body and 58 of the approximate 600 muscles, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of receptors and nerves on the sole of the foot and in the foot and ankle. Every single step we take, our body receives feedback from the earth via the receptors and neurones found on the base of the foot. This then causes the body to respond accordingly in rapid and unvoluntary reflex actions. It is as a result of these reflex actions and the constant information that we receive from out receptor cells that allows us to walk and keep on walking safely, even on uneven ground. How do you think wearing shoes disrupts the receptors on your feet?

I would like to ask you something. Do you ever find that your toes feel scrunched and boxed in together, your arches painful and tender?

Throughout evolution, the human body evolved in such a way so that the body moved as one, hundreds of thousands of different components, all working together. We were never meant to wear shoes. Doing so only disrupts the natural processes which have evolved over millions and millions of years!

As far back as 10,000 years ago, the first forms of shoes were developed, more as a form of protection, than comfort item. With a wide toe box and zero drop, the toes were still able to spread out, the feet working as they should. It is only since the development of modern-day footwear and trainers, that the problems have began to arise: weak toes, arches, poor bodily alignment, plantar fasciitis (A disorder of the plantar fascia which supports the arch of the foot) , inflammation.

Barefoot Benefits?

By going against the norm and simply taking your shoes off and going barefoot, even if it is for only 30 minutes a day, your body will steadily start to change back to the way it was meant to work and you may experience some of the benefits listed below:

1. Grounding: – Being connected to the polarity of the earth through your feet, only possible by walking barefoot outside on earth, grass, woods etc. Helping you to feel more connected, more in-tune with the outside world.
2. Bodily Alignment – Being the first thing that hits the floor when you walk or run. Going barefoot helps to strengthen the toes and arches, so that when you walk, they don’t collapse and they are able to hold the weight of the body. This will help to improve whole body alignment and overall biomechanics in the body.
3. Less inflammation – Even just walking barefoot for 5 minutes outside in nature can help to de-stress the body. The theory is such that when you walk, the negative electrons from the earth are absorbed into the feet and these act as antioxidants, protecting the body from free radicals. Being in nature is a proven stress reliever, so even just spending time in nature will allow you to experience the amazing benefits that it has on the body.
4. No more plantar fasciitis – This condition is caused by tightness and weakness of the plantar fascia muscle that runs along the bottom of the foot and holds up the arch. By going barefoot, it helps to keep it at the correct length and strengthens it due to the repetitive load that is put upon the body.

Well what can I do?

If you are ready to take the plunge and jump straight in then great! But, if you are a little more tentative, that’s also okay, all that matters is that you are open to trying something new!

Something that everyone can do starting today, or maybe even right now is to take your shoes off in the house, so that you are completely barefoot. If you have the courage, you can even extend your barefoot exploration into the garden, feeling all of the different sensations from under the feet.

Standing on one leg for 5-10 minutes per day will help to strengthen up the base of the foot and help to make them strong and durable. Perhaps a bit of gentle Yoga; tree pose, dancers pose, even just holding one foot of the floor will help rediscover the balance which your body has to offer.

If you are sick of cramming your feet into tight, under nourishing shoes for work or your everyday life, then Birkenstock is a great option for anyone looking for a more barefoot lifestyle. Natural, zero drop, wide toe box, Portugal made, cork insole. They even have steel toe capped options available, so they really have something for everyone. The price is representative of the amazing quality of these shoes and in my opinion, they are worth every penny!

If your ready to take it a step further then you can try Vibram Five fingers or the more inconspicuous Vivo barefoot, if you fancy the full barefoot experience.

Takeaway:

• Go barefoot as much as possible
• Practise balance daily
• Walk outside on grass or in nature
• Barefoot shoes could be your new best friend