Okay, so although I’m a born and raised Arkansan I have to make a PSA for the good ol’ “Natural State”. Are you ready for this? WE WEAR SHOES! Yep, I’ve heard it more times than I can count as jokes fly about how we Arkansans have somehow gathered the reputation of running around town like country bumpkins shoeless. Why is this a thing? I’m honestly not 100% sure. Now, granted–there MAY be a town somewhere deep down hidden in my state that I’m unaware of that loves to ditch their shoes, but know that here in the city–We love our shoes.
However, today’s post is actual going to go a tiny bit against my above PSA because I’m sharing why it’s important to lose your shoes at some point each day and head outside to boost your health!
Alright, what in the world am I talking about? Yes, let’s get right into it–have you heard of a thing called “earthing” or what I like to call it, “grounding“? It’s as simple as it sounds but comes with tons of health benefits. Basically, you ditch your shoes and put your bare feet on the ground for a few minutes each day. By doing this, you’re sending endless positive vibes into your body that you probably didn’t even realize you were needing!
According to a study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health research, it was concluded that “evidence shows that contact with the Earth–whether being outside barefoot or indoors connected to grounded conductive systems-may be a simple, natural, and yet profoundly effective environmental strategy against chronic stress, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, inflammation, pain, poor sleep, disturbed heart rate variability, hyper coagulable blood, and many common health disorders, including cardiovascular disease.”
Need more proof? You can read more on grounding in this article from Mind Body Green. You can also find out more with this article from the Chopra Center.
Here are a few other benefits I found while researching the health benefits of grounding:
So, before it gets to be too cold outside for you to get those feet grounded to the Earth–get outside and kick off those shoes! I’ve started this new habit and honestly can’t believe I didn’t start it sooner! It’s so refreshing and feels AMAZING to feel the cool ground under my feet each day! No wonder I always feel extra refreshed and energized after my feet hit the sand for a beach vacation! It all makes so much sense now!
Weather permitting, try grounding for around 30 minutes or so and see what a difference that makes on your pain or stress levels. You can sit or stand on soil, grass, sand, or concrete to feel the benefits. Those are all conductive surfaces from which your body can draw the Earth’s good energy. Remember that wood, asphalt, and vinyl are not conductive (according to the Chopra Center.)
Questions for YOU today: (Comment below with your thoughts!)
Have you ever heard of grounding before?
Have you ever run sprints at a soccer field barefoot?
— I’ve done a few myself and it’s SO nice to mix things up and ditch my running shoes for a few fast sprints through the grass.
What’s your go-to when you need a refresher for your body when you’re dealing with stress or pain?
