For many people, walking barefoot in the swimming pool and on the beach is a normal part of life. And in general, we should leave our shoes in the closet more often – because it is extremely healthy.
Walking barefoot has many health benefits – not just for your feet, but for your entire body.
Here you can find out how running without socks and shoes improves your well-being. We also give you tips to help you run barefoot properly.
Walking barefoot: Not only your feet will be happy
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / hohlstein)
If you start walking barefoot more often, you’ll not only make your feet happy. Walking barefoot can correct misalignments that are largely responsible for back pain. So just go without socks and shoes at home. Foot deformities such as flat feet, splayed feet or fallen arches can also be the result of wearing the wrong shoes. When walking barefoot, we also stimulate the foot reflex zones, which are connected to and supposed to influence various organs. However, there is currently no scientific evidence for the existence of these zones.
Walking barefoot is the most natural way of moving and you should try it because it:
- trains the often atrophied foot muscles,
- brings you into contact with nature,
- helps with cold feet by stimulating blood circulation,
- can relieve the strain on your back.
By the way: You won’t get a bladder infection from walking barefoot, as this is caused by viruses or bacteria. It’s just that cold can further weaken an already strained immune system that is fighting off a swollen bacterial or viral infection.
Tips for walking barefoot
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / WOKANDAPIX)
If you haven’t walked barefoot in a while, start slowly. If you don’t already, spend some time at home without shoes. After a while, you can even leave the socks off. Not only does this save laundry, but it also allows your feet to finally do what they do well: feel!
Also note the following tips:
- Too much walking barefoot can initially lead to a burning sensation on the soles of your feet because the calluses have not yet properly formed again. You will also feel a little sore because you are using new muscles. Listen to your body and do not overwork it.
- The best time to start barefoot running is in the morning on a dewy meadow. Shortly after sunrise is ideal. It is soft enough even for new barefoot runners.
- Try to walk relaxed and enjoy every step. The fear of stepping on sharp stones will quickly pass: after a few times you will no longer notice it.
- Freshly mown stubble fields, on the other hand, are not good surfaces to run on. It can actually be very painful.
- If you want to run or hike barefoot, start slowly because of the higher impact. You will learn a better running technique.
There are people who walk barefoot all year round. As a rule of thumb for beginners, only walk barefoot in the months without an “r” – that is, from May to August. During this time, the ground is a pleasant temperature and you don’t have to worry about ice or snow.
In some towns there are also barefoot paths, such as in the municipality of Bad Sobernheim. Here you can find a more detailed list of barefoot paths in Germany.
Compromise: barefoot shoes instead of walking barefoot
If you don’t want to walk completely barefoot to protect your feet from injury, then barefoot shoes are the right choice for you. They have some advantages that conventional shoes don’t have and give you a natural walking feeling thanks to the thin and flexible soles.
You can find more information in our guides:
- Barefoot shoes: 4 recommended brands
- Barefoot shoes for spring and summer
- The best barefoot shoes for winter
- there are also barefoot shoes for children
Read more on Techzle\.com:
- Beautiful feet: tips for natural care
- Sustainable running shoes: These brands do it better than Nike, Asics & Co.
- Remove calluses: With these home remedies your feet will be beautiful
English version available: Walking Barefoot: Reasons to Lose Your Shoes More Often
Edited by Paula Boslau
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