Most of us have a fond childhood memory of walking barefoot on grass. These leisurely strolls and fun frolics have a lot to do with keeping us physically fit. Walking barefoot through the grass not only feels good, but it’s also actually good for you.
Benefits of Walking Barefoot on Grass
There are many benefits of walking barefoot on grass such as improving the gait, providing antioxidants to the body, improving sleep cycle, and reducing pain and inflammation. Let us take a look at them below.
Good for the Gait
Walking barefoot engages your foot muscles in a way that reinforces a natural walking pattern. This more natural gait, with improved biomechanics–posture, body awareness, and balance–can help with pain relief, in part by enhancing the body mechanics of the knees, hips, and core. Moving the way nature intended, can lead to stronger leg and core muscles which support and improve lower back strength and tone.
Outdoor play helps in healthy growth, learning, and wellbeing for your child. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Earthly Antioxidants
The practice of “grounding,” or walking on the earth with bare feet has been scientifically proven to expose the body to the earth’s natural electrons, enabling them to spread over and into the body, creating a natural antioxidant effect. This results in a general sensation of well being and calm that could be described as “charging the body’s battery”. The results of this practice go far beyond mere pleasant feelings. [1]
Improved Sleep Cycles
Recent studies show walking barefoot on grass can improve the consistency of your circadian rhythms, resulting in deeper and more restful sleep. That’s because it helps reduce the levels of the stress-causing hormone, cortisol.
Do you sleep like a baby? Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Reduction in Pain and Inflammation
Grounding has been shown to reduce or prevent some of the inflammation and swelling that goes along with injuries. This has the immediate effect of reducing overall pain levels since pain is often the result of the pressure exerted on inflamed nerve tissue. When inflammation is reduced, oxygenated blood flows more efficiently, and we tend to heal faster. Scientists who study the responses of the human body coming into direct contact with the earth’s electrons say it’s those electrons which speed up the healing process.
Word of Caution: Spending as little as 30 minutes a day walking barefoot on the grass is enough to generate all of these seemingly miraculous health benefits. But before you head out to fill your prescription for “grounding” remember that you should still take the same precautions that you would with any gardening or outdoor activity. As long as you protect yourself from the few adverse side effects like sunburns, pests, and injuries, you can certainly look forward to the inevitable fringe benefits of breathing fresh air and remembering what it was like to be a kid: carefree and barefoot in the grass.
