Definition
Barefoot walking in nature may improve your mood, productivity and creativity. It helps you feel more connected to nature and relaxes you.
How to Do It
- Find a natural setting such as a park or forest
- Make sure the area is safe, clear from debris, and practical to walk on
- Take your shoes and socks off and walk around
Benefits
Time Commitment
20+ minutes
Why it works
Walking with bare feet connects you to the natural world, which may improve your mood [1], [2].
Better mood is often associated with increased productivity [3]
Walking boosts creativity, because it lets your mind wander [4].
Walking can improve your physical wellbeing and act as a preventative measure for many diseases related to inactivity [5].
Some studies show that walking outside with bare feet can release built up static electricity from your body which may have positive effects like stress reduction, hormone balance and reduction of inflammation [8].
Suggested Frequency
3-4 times per week
Possible Side Effects
- Injury
- Accidents
- Bacterial infection
- Hookworm
- Animal bites
- Stings
Required Equipment
None
Gurus/Celebrities/Doing it
Julia Roberts
Gwenyth Paltrow
Notes
Bring shoes with you on your walk in case you reach uncomfortable terrain.
If you enjoy barefoot walking, try running with bare feet. This may even be better for the health of your feet, knees and ankles than running with shoes [6].
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/eco.2015.0075
- https://books.google.com/books?id=hgRJaH3jDcQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Barefoot+Walking:+Free+Your+Feet+to+Minimize+Impact,+Maximize+Efficiency&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjytPiQn_bkAhWxtXEKHe0YDfsQ6AEIKjAA#v=onepage&q=Barefoot%20Walking%3A%20Free%20Your%20Feet%20to%20Minimize%20Impact%2C%20Maximize%20Efficiency&f=false
- https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/681096
- https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2014-14435-001
- https://onwardsoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/The_Importance_of_Walking_to_Public_Health.2.pdf
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0125880
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083655/
- https://blog.daveasprey.com/earthing-grounding-techniques/#ref-3
