Why Walking barefoot is good for you!

Walking barefoot or standing on the earth with no shoes on, known as “earthing” or “grounding,” is a practice that has gained quite a bit of attention of late for its potential health benefits. These benefits are thought to arise due to the transfer of free electrons from the Earths surface into the feet and body, which can have various physiological effects. The surface of the Earth has a negative charge, rich in free electrons. When you walk barefoot, especially in conductive environments like wet sand, the ocean or grass, your body absorbs these electrons. The theory of electron transfer from the Earth into the body through grounding is gaining scientific support, particularly for its role in reducing oxidative stress and enhancing overall wellness. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms, early findings are promising. 

Let’s be honest though, how many of us actually place our bare feet on the earth on a regular basis? I’ll be honest, even though I’m an outdoorsy person, it wasn’t often, unless I was wild swimming! More often than not I had hiking boots on, even when wild camping there would usually be some form of shoe on my feet. But I’m trying to make a conscious effort to take the hiking boots off to air the feet when outdoors and connect with the earth – and definitely do more beach walks with no shoes on. Anyhow I hope this blog post gets you thinking and below I’ve listed 10 benefits of walking barefoot, backed by evidence. Personally my favourite is to walk barefoot on the beach by the sea, which as you’ll find has added benefits. 

10 benefits of walking barefoot (especially on the beach!)

1. Boosts Mood and Reduces Stress: 

Walking barefoot connects you to negative electrons from the Earth, which can lower stress by promoting balance in the autonomic nervous system and reducing the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.

This is further enhanced when walking near sea air, which contains negative ions (oxygen atoms with an extra electron) Negative ions can increase serotonin levels, which can help with stress, depression, and feelings of wellbeing.

‘What Is the Science Behind Health Benefits of Grounding on Earth? – Everybody Ground’

‘Grounding: the art of walking barefoot on the ground – SHA Magazine’

2. Improves Sleep Quality: 

Walking barefoot near the sea helps regulate cortisol, a stress hormone, which enhances sleep patterns, because when we are less stressed we sleep better! This natural grounding can reduce stress levels and improve the depth and duration of sleep by aligning the body with the Earth’s natural electrical rhythms. 

What Is the Science Behind Health Benefits of Grounding on Earth? – Everybody Ground!

Grounding: the art of walking barefoot on the ground – SHA Magazine

3. Reduces Inflammation & enhances immune response 

Walking barefoot allows your body to absorb electrons from the Earth’s surface, which can neutralize free radicals, reducing inflammation. Studies show that earthing lowers inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines, which are associated with chronic diseases such as arthritis and cardiovascular conditions. There’s a growing body of evidence that earthing may enhance the body’s immune response. By reducing chronic inflammation, it’s believed that the body’s immune system can better focus on acute threats, like infections. In sea air you’ll find iodine, salt, and magnesium which can stimulate your immune system.  

Earthing— How It Works and Why You Should Do it – Barefoot Munchkins

Grounding: the art of walking barefoot on the ground – SHA Magazine

4. Enhances Energy Levels: 

Earthing by walking barefoot helps improve blood flow and oxygenation to cells, which can boost energy levels. Absorbing negative electrons near the sea can counteract fatigue and restore natural energy by reducing oxidative stress.
 

What Is the Science Behind Health Benefits of Grounding on Earth? – Everybody Ground

Grounding: the art of walking barefoot on the ground – SHA Magazine

5. Supports Cardiovascular Health: 

Grounding has been linked to better blood circulation, which reduces blood viscosity. Walking barefoot on conductive surfaces like grass or wet sand may help lower the risk of heart disease by improving overall blood flow and heart function. 

What Is the Science Behind Health Benefits of Grounding on Earth? – Everybody Ground!

Grounding: the art of walking barefoot on the ground – SHA Magazine

Grass is the most accessible place to walk barefoot and ground yourself with the earth, whether in the garden or a park

6. Pain Reduction:

Many proponents of earthing claim that it can help alleviate chronic pain conditions, ranging from arthritis to fibromyalgia. The reduction in inflammation, improved circulation, and relaxed nervous system all contribute to this effect. Research indicates that earthing can help reduce muscle soreness and joint pain. Walking barefoot on the beach may similarly help alleviate pain by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

7. Improved Circulation:

Walking barefoot, especially on varied surfaces like sand near the sea, improves blood circulation in the feet and lower extremities. This is due to the massaging effect of sand and the stimulation of nerve endings.   Some research suggests that the contact of the body with the Earth can thin the blood by affecting red blood cell aggregation, potentially improving circulation and reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues. One study showed that earthing led to a measurable reduction in blood viscosity, which is linked to heart disease risk .

8. Improved Balance, stronger foot muscles & better posture: 

Walking barefoot helps enhance balance and proprioception (awareness of body positioning), as it strengthens the small muscles in the feet that are often underutilised when wearing shoes. Without the support of shoes, your feet work harder to stabilise your body, which can help strengthen the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the feet and ankles. 

Walking barefoot encourages a more natural gait, potentially leading to improved posture and alignment of the body, which can reduce strain on joints and muscles.

9. Sea air can improve respiratory health & boost mood. 

Furthermore to the positive impact of walking barefoot on the beach – The sea air itself contains negative ions in which can help clear the air of allergens like pollen, mold, bacteria, and viruses too, which can help with lung diseases, sinus infections, asthma, bronchitis, and more.

When we breathe negative ions in and they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to boost our mood, alleviate depression, relieve stress, and increase our daytime energy. Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy.

Negative Ions are created in nature as air molecules break apart due to sunlight, radiation, and moving air and water, and the crashing waves of the sea and powerful water  is where it happens most in water. These are some of the reasons a walk by sea feels so good!

I live by the coast in North-East England – and just walking by the sea with the shoes off on an evening is a great way to unwind and refresh. 

10. It just feels good!

Whilst it’s good to have research backing up claims to prove benefits aren’t all in the head, who doesn’t feel better just walking barefoot on the grass or sand? Those times in summer in the garden, or on holiday on the beach just feels good doesn’t it! (Ok your on holiday that helps!) But if you haven’t tried barefoot walking in your day to day life, whether thats on the beach, just ambling around your garden or in a park – give it a go – and judge how you feel beofre and after!

To conclude…

Bit of food for thought there isn’t there! What does all this mean for me personally? Well I won’t be chucking all my shoes out haha but it’s interesting stuff and I’ll make an effort to walk on the grass in the garden on a morning more, on my hikes I’ll try n air the feet on stops (weather permitting!) which also helps dry the feet and prevent blisters; on wild camps I’ll try n kick the boots off for a while  once tent set up and I’m about camp; when wild swimming I’ll ditch the swim shoes (as long as not too rocky) and mostly for me as I live on the coast, when possible I’ll walk barefoot on the sand whatever the weather (good tip for this – take a big bottle full of warm water for quickly rinsing the sand off your feet when ready to put the footwear back on). It will just be small steps for me (literally!) but small efforts cumulatively speaking can lead to big benefits. 

As a side note I know there are so-called barefoot shoes out there, which help with feeling like you are walking barefoot and engage the feet muscles more along with other purported benefits as they are said to promote more natural walking – however they are still stopping that skin contact with the earth which I think is very important and just more natural.

Ultimately I’m not trying to convince anyone to do anything different – there’s no agenda and I’m not selling anything (no ad links to barefoot shoes here haha). I just think for anyone into the outdoors who always has their hiking boots on, who hasn’t come across the benefits of being barefoot and grounding/earthing  – it’s worth looking into and just trying for yourself and seeing if you feel any benefits, if you feel calmer and well, just more grounded. Anything that is more natural is well worth following in my eyes.