Walking Barefoot: 6 Health Benefits And Risks

Many of us walk barefoot at our homes. But some may find it difficult due to various reasons. However, did you know that walking barefoot benefits your health in many ways and improves your fitness? The practice can have a positive impact on overall health.

While all of us walked barefoot as kids, we probably got accustomed to the different types of footwear as we grew up. It probably is time to revisit that forgotten habit. Here, we have discussed the many advantages of walking barefoot. Continue reading to know more.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Walking Barefoot?

Walking barefoot in natural surroundings brings you in contact with the earth. This transfers the earth’s electrons into your body, inducing therapeutic effects. These include reduced inflammation, stress, and pain and improved blood circulation, mood and sleep. Walking barefoot also boosts strength and improves balance and posture.

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, scientist and blogger, reflected on the impact of barefoot walking on his health in his blog. Inspired by global health communities and supported by medical studies, he incorporated this practice for stress reduction and improved sleep. He writes, “Each time I walked on sand or grass barefoot, I felt some pleasantness in my body…stress melted away and was replaced with joyful feelings.” He further says, “Nowadays, one of my favorite activities is to walk barefoot under the sunlight removing my shirt for 15 minutes to further activate more uplifting neurotransmitters for my brain and gain hormonal balance for my body (i).”

Quick Tip

A great way to relieve stress is to walk barefoot on a grass walkway or a faux grass carpet in your house. Anecdotal evidence suggests that feeling grass on your bare feet can relax your foot muscles and improve your mood.

1. Can Help Fight Inflammation

Grounding (another name for direct skin contact to the surface of the earth) has been found to produce measurable differences in cytokines, compounds involved in the inflammatory process. Interestingly, this effect can be attributed to the earth’s electrons (1). According to reflexology, applying pressure to those points can energize your systems and provide stress relief, similar to the benefits of walking, promoting overall well-being.

Skin contact with the earth’s surface facilitates the spread of electrons from the earth to the human body. These electrons enter the body through specific acupuncture points and mucous membranes (residing right under the skin) (1).

The antioxidants in our body are made of electrons, which help neutralize free radicals and eventually fight inflammation (2).

Caroline, a blogger, shared her transformative journey in her blog. She noted improved sleep, enhanced productivity, and reduced reliance on coffee as notable benefits, highlighting the holistic impact of embracing this natural practice. She writes, “Barefoot walking gives me pain relief for my back and neck injuries…My mood is always good after a morning walk, and feeling good lasts longer (ii).” Battling depression, she credits barefoot walking, combined with sunrise appreciation, for positively impacting her life.

2. May Promote Cardiovascular Health

Various studies have shed light on the physiological effects of walking barefoot (grounding) in improving cardiovascular health. They also showed a decrease in the blood viscosity levels, an effect that may lower hypertension (3).

However, more research is warranted to highlight the beneficial effects of walking barefoot on cardiovascular health.

3. Can Relieve Anxiety

Grounding was also linked to lower anxiety levels. Subjects dealing with anxiety and depression, when grounded to the earth during sleep in their own beds (using a conductive mattress pad), experienced improvements in their condition (2).

Though the experiment wasn’t performed on subjects actually walking barefoot, the mechanism involved was the same.

4. Can Boost Immunity

The transfer of electrons is the key, again. The body is capable of absorbing and donating electrons to the areas that need immune support (1).

Reports suggest that the disconnection from the Earth could be an important cause of the rise of inflammatory-related diseases that have everything to do with a weak immune system (1). Walking barefoot may correct this.

This is because lack of sufficient electrons in the body can weaken the mitochondria (structures in the body’s cells that are responsible for energy production), eventually leading to chronic fatigue and other issues. Even a minor injury can become a long-term health problem (1).

5. May Help Heal Chronic Pain

The effects of grounding could alleviate pain levels. Some research shows that walking barefoot may reduce pain by altering the numbers of circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes. It also modulates various other factors linked to inflammation (1).

In another study, grounding lead to rapid resolution of painful chronic inflammation. It could even prevent the signs of inflammation following heat, swelling, and pain (1).

However, we do not recommend you take a walk (let alone walking barefoot) if you have a serious injury.

6. Can Promote Better Sleep

Walking barefoot can also induce better sleep. The earth’s electrons spread to your body and cause multiple beneficial psychological changes, including enhanced sleep every night (2).

Grounding also helps normalize the day-night biological rhythms. This helps you relax and sleep better (4).

7. May Promote Eyesight

There is little research to establish this aspect. This effect might have more to do with the reflex points on the foot that are connected to the optic nerves (5).

Isn’t it astonishing that something as simple as walking barefoot can change your life in important ways? However, this activity doesn’t come with certain caveats.

What Are The Risks Associated With Walking Barefoot?

Without proper foot strength, you might expose yourself to potential harm when you walk barefoot, out in the open. This is especially true if you are just starting to walk barefoot, after spending the majority of your life walking in shoes.

One such risk is that of infections. Some studies show that walking barefoot can lead to diabetic foot disease in susceptible individuals (6).

It is also important to consider the surface you are walking barefoot on. Walking barefoot on contaminated soil can lead to hookworm infection (7). The larvae (immature worms) present in the contaminated soil can penetrate the skin of humans.

You may also want to avoid walking barefoot in areas usually associated with fungal infections. These include swimming pools, locker rooms, the gym, and the beach (8).

Apart from these risks, walking barefoot on a cold floor may cause other issues too. Find out more in the next section.

Effects Of Walking Barefoot On A Cold Floor

Some believe that walking barefoot on a cold floor may increase the risk of common cold. A randomized clinical trial studied the effects of acute cooling of the feet and the onset of a cold. It was observed that 13 out of the 90 healthy subjects reported the onset of a cold within 4 to 5 days of chilling their feet (9). While more studies are needed to understand this link, avoid walking barefoot on cold floors if you are sensitive to low temperatures.

There are a few ways you can ensure you can safely walk barefoot. We will explore them in the following section.

How To Walk Barefoot Safely

Like everything else, this takes time and patience. Please remember the following:

• Start slow. You must give your feet and ankles enough time to adapt to the new environment. Start with walking barefoot on new surfaces for about 10 minutes every day. As your feet get accustomed, you can increase the time and distance.

• Walk indoors. Before heading out, you can practice walking barefoot indoors. Your house would be a much safer place to start walking barefoot.

• Ease up if needed. Remember, this is not a chore and must be a pleasant sensory experience. If you feel any kind of pain and discomfort, stop. Take some rest and resume the activity the following day with a little more care.

• Do foot-balancing exercises. These can further strengthen your feet and keep you better prepared for walking outdoors barefoot. You can do these right inside your home. You can balance yourself on one foot or even flex and stretch your feet.

According to a survey administered in Auckland to determine the footwear habits of 714 students, it was found that 45% of the participants were classified as habitually barefoot. More than half (56.6%) reported being barefoot most of the time at home and over 50% reported being barefoot half of the time or more during sports. A smaller amount went to the supermarket (19.6%) or took the bus ( 8.3%) whilst barefoot around half of the time or more.

Quick Tip

If you are not used to walking barefoot, try walking with thin cotton socks or low-cut feet liners first.

Infographic: Top 5 Health Benefits Of Barefoot Walking

Whether you have never tried barefoot walking or if it is something you love doing every now and then, this simple practice can surely be incorporated into your daily routine to improve your health. We have summed up the top 5 health benefits of barefoot walking in the infographic below. Check it out and get set walking!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to walk barefoot on a treadmill?

It is absolutely okay to walk barefoot on a treadmill. It might only get uncomfortable after a while.

Does walking barefoot make your feet wider?

No, it doesn’t.

How about walking on grass?

Grass could be the best surface you can walk barefoot on. It is the closest you can get to the Earth.

How long should you walk barefoot a day?

There is no prescribed duration for barefoot walking, but you should begin slow and practice walking for 10-15 minutes each day for the first few weeks to ease yourself into the habit.

Does walking barefoot strengthen your feet?

Yes. According to research, walking barefoot may strengthen your feet and make them more pliable (10).

Can walking barefoot cause nerve damage?

No, walking barefoot does not cause nerve damage. However, those with existing nerve damage, such as peripheral neuropathy, should avoid walking barefoot to minimize the risk of further injury.

Can you get plantar fasciitis from walking barefoot?

Habitually walking barefoot over a long period of time may wear down the heel pads on your feet and lead to plantar fasciitis or heel pain.

Is it good to walk barefoot on concrete?

Walking barefoot on concrete and other similar hard surfaces may put excess pressure on the heels and lead to foot issues in the long run (10). Therefore, it is best avoided or kept to a minimum.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Madhu SharmaRD

Madhu Sharma is a member of the National Executive Committee of IDA. She has been associated for almost three decades with Pediatric Nutrition at PGI while serving in the Gastroenterology Department (20 years) and then the Advanced Pediatric Center (10 yrs) at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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