Do you know these 6 surprising health benefits of walking barefoot
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Walking always benefits and is one of the best exercises. But do you know that walking barefoot can give more health benefits.
Here are some surprising health benefits of walking benefits:
- Restores natural walking patterns
When young children are first learning to walk, parents are encouraged to allow them to walk barefoot. Barefoot walking has positive effects not only on the growth and development of small feet but also on children’s walking patterns.
In adults, walking barefoot may help restore a natural walking pattern. Wearing heavily cushioned shoes can alter the way the foot lands on the ground when walking. People who walked barefoot on a regular basis were found to put more pressure on the middle of their feet and toe area than on their heels.2
2 Strengthens Foot and Leg Muscles
Barefoot walking always strengthens foot and leg muscles. People who run without shoes have larger leg and foot muscles.4
3. Improves Foot Mechanics and Ankle Range of Motion
People who forgo shoes regularly tend to have wider feet, fewer toe and foot abnormalities, and higher arches. Their big toes tend to point straighter, creating a lower hallux angle, or angle between the big toe and other toes. In people with larger hallux angles, the big toe points or bends toward the other toes.
4. Boosts Balance and Posture
Walking barefoot can improve balance. Older people who are more prone to falls may be more stable on their feet without shoes. Training without shoes could help strengthen the muscles that help with balance, thus preventing more falls.
5. Reduces Stress
Stepping outside and exploring nature while barefoot can help reduce stress as the body comes in direct contact with the surface of the Earth. Walking in grass, smashing your toes into dirt, or sinking your heels into sand can have a positive effect on the body and its stress response.
6. Helps Certain Mental Health Conditions
Spending time in nature can have a positive effect on mental health. Walking barefoot is a way to reconnect to nature. People who spent time in nature experienced less anxiety and fewer symptoms of depression.
