Why should you walk barefoot? Should you??
There is a wide variety of people that has started paying attention to our ‘contact’ with earth, and the effects thereof.
The theory is that you should spend at least 30 mins – 3 times a week , in direct contact with earth.
There is a few ways to accomplish this
- Walk barefoot, on lawn, moist sand, pebbles.
- Work in the garden with bare hands
- Swim in natural bodies of water eg sea, waterfall, river (NOT a swimming pool)
- Sit against a tree.
Advocates of this imply that our disconnect with earth could explain the increase in many chronic diseases the past few decades.
If you look at science as we know it, every single atom has a positive and a negative electron attached to it – to maintain a neutral balance.
When these electrons become disturbed, they often build up a positive charge – which then acts as free radicals,
And these are considered widely to be the cause of inflammation and leads to diseases such as cardio-vascular disease, cancer etc
The surface of the earth generates electrons continuously, and maintains itself consistently at a slightly negative load.
When we come into contact with earth directly, they now neutralise the free radicals – in other words, they act as antioxidants.
Bear in mind this is a VERY simplified version of the entire process, and antioxidants can also be taken in orally.
It is also believed that the neutralising of our free radicals by connecting with earth, can regulate our circadian rhythms.
This is the natural rhythm of our bodies to the day-night cycle. Modern living does not distinguish between these two as clearly as it was in earlier generations.
The key to all this may be linked to vagus nerve stimulation/impact.
The Vagus nerve is the biggest nerve in the body that links your brain to your colon.
The most noticeable function (amongst MANY others) would be the return to a relaxed state, after a very stressful episode.
Weak vagal nerve activity leads to chronic inflammation – chronic diseases as discussed earlier.
Strong Vagal nerve, short and effective recovery time,
Vagal tone is often measured in variation of heart rate when you breathe deeply during relaxation exercises.
Now for the interesting fact:
It has been proven that the same effect reached by 5 minutes of ‘box breathing’ or relaxation exercises, can be achieved by simply walking barefoot on your lawn….
So, kick off your shoes, and go walk outside!
Totally natural and completely free.
by Delicia Baben – Clinical Nurse
