Barefoot Walking: A Sensory Journey That Brings You Closer To The Earth

Photo Credit: Nina Hill

In This Article You Will Find.

3. Benefits Of Walking Barefoot

1. Walking Barefoot In Austria

2. Walking Barefoot At Home

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During my research on finding ways to connect with nature, I came across a practice called grounding or earthing.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it basically consists of walking barefoot in a natural environment: in a forest, on a beach, across a lawn, or anywhere where you can literally feel the earth beneath your bare feet. That direct contact of your body with the land takes on a sensory journey that will enable you to bond with nature physically, emotionally, and mentally.

I found this activity so mindful and engaging that I started practising it in the forest with my whole family, including my two children. And who loves walking barefoot more than kids, right? Reconnecting with the earth by putting our feet on the ground helps us get to know our land, appreciate it a little more, and respect it greatly.

I want to share with you some of the highlights of our grounding adventures and enlighten you about some of the benefits that come from it.

Photo Credit: Dasha

Walking Barefoot In Austria

I have a lifelong connection with Austria!

I have the best childhood memories in that country, and I find it as my happy place. I grew up visiting the Austrian mountains for skiing and summer holidays since I was a baby and I consider it my favourite go-to destination. They are a cherished part of my nature story so whenever I’m there, surrounded by the wild, I feel grounded, calm and balanced.

Driven by that feeling and the desire to bring nature closer to me, I discovered several barefoot walking paths in Austria.

We walked a barefoot path in Soll and the trail was suitable for all ages so my 4-year-old son Voss could handle it without a problem while I was carrying my 2-year-old daughter Elva in a backpack carrier.

The experience was extraordinary! Only not for me because carrying a toddler and walking barefoot isn’t a good combination. But I enjoyed seeing Tom and Voss walking the trail.

Photo Credit: Stephan Seeber

We encountered various textures like small stones and wood which made the experience so grounding and relaxing. And it was not just a regular stroll in nature. It required mindfulness and focus on where to step to avoid discomfort. It almost made it feel like meditation in motion because your whole body is focused on the terrain and that physical connection with the earth. Every step arouses a feeling that you are part of the land, and as you centralise all your attention to that physical touch, it seems like you merge with nature.

The connection with the earth while walking barefoot outside made me feel like having a foot massage but it also favoured a feeling of calmness and tranquillity. I felt like I was destressing, concentrating only at the present moment, and building a more serene mind. That immediate contact, feeling the earth under my feet, woke up my connection with nature, generating a feeling of rooting and belonging, as well as awareness and appreciation for the environment surrounding me.

Another barefoot trail carried an adventurous twist too. It led to a man-made stream with rocks and water, making the whole experience even greater. I loved seeing Voss minding his every step, exploring the different textures, interacting and reconnecting with nature so that he could learn how to appreciate it and take care of it.

Photo Credit: Valeriia Miller

Walking Barefoot At Home

We also tried walking barefoot at home in the Netherlands.

Every now and then we visit Hilversum Forest. We gladly take our shoes off and enjoy the sandy forest terrain, especially in summertime when the weather is too hot. Besides the relaxing experience, it also feels nice as it cools down our bodies naturally because we walk barefoot in the shade where the sand is cooler.

When it comes to nature leisure, our family favourite is walking in the forest. My kids love this because they have the wild as their playground where they can have fun while playing with sand or water while staying connected with nature. They spend the whole day with their shoes off, running around bushes, playing among the trees, using nature’s resources as toys, and getting in touch with nature in every sense.

Photo Credit: Allan Mas

There is something special about the feeling of the earth beneath your bare feet. It feels like a release of accumulated tension, allowing you to relax and concentrate on the here and now.

Connecting our bodies directly with the energy of nature adds a deeper link with the environment, a feeling that cannot be experienced when walking with our shoes on. The sensory stimulation awakens our senses and clears our minds. It almost feels like magic!

Benefits Of Walking Barefoot

The discovery of earthing allowed my body to tune in to the natural environment, bringing both physical and mental balance. As I dug deeper into the subject, I learnt that there are countless benefits of walking barefoot. Here are some of them:

Reduces Inflammation

According to a study, walking barefoot on the ground prevents post-injury inflammation like redness, swelling and pain, and improves painful chronic inflammation.

Thanks to our common sedentary lifestyle or the daily activities we spend standing or walking in heels or any kind of footwear, we are prone to back pain. So if we commit to getting into the habit of walking barefoot outside, even for a few minutes, we can relieve the tension that the feet suffer and reduce the pain. Exposing our feet to various types of terrain allows us to correct imbalances in movement and straighten the muscles and ligaments of the lower limbs.

Improves Circulation

Another study shows how a direct connection with the earth improves venous and arterial circulation and the lymphatic system of our legs. It prevents a feeling of heaviness in our lower extremities, providing lightness and well-being.

By exposing our bare feet to different textures and surfaces, the muscles of the sole are stimulated, favouring the proper functioning of both the lymphatic and circulatory systems and encouraging healthier blood flow.

Stimulates The Nervous System

Walking barefoot encourages the nerves in our feet to activate, improving nerve function. It stimulates the plantar nerve endings of both feet, strengthening the muscles that may be annulled or atrophied.

I found a research study that showed the earth’s ability to trigger the human body's parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for relaxation as it slows down the heart, lowers the blood pressure, and promotes digestion.

Photo Credit: cottonbro studio

Works As Mood Enhancement

Wondering why your mood magically improves after a forest hike? Nature’s powers are so great that, when in direct contact, they can suck out all of your negative energy and accumulated stress and recharge you with tranquillity and pleasure.

I came across a study inviting participants to engage in various interactive activities in a forest that stimulate their senses. Walking without shoes as well as lying on the ground were some of them, and the results showed a significant increase in positive mood states.

Encourages Mindfulness

The mental and spiritual benefits of walking barefoot felt even more groundbreaking. Every barefoot step I took somehow encouraged me to slow my pace, concentrate on the present moment, and shift all my attention to where my foot would land. I had to be the one who would adjust to nature, not the other way around. The mental clarity I felt from the activity was like moving meditation which offered me a grounding, relaxing experience, and a deeper connection to nature.

It’s Fun!

The truth is my kids love our barefoot escapades and can’t wait for the weekend to come so we can spend a day in natural surroundings where they can kick their shoes off and run around freely. I can see how that makes them feel so liberating and entertaining at the same time. Thanks to the exposure to different sensations, they become more aware of nature.

Barefoot walking helps us foster that awareness, allowing a better perception and greater appreciation of their land and their roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it healthy to walk barefoot in nature?

  Barefoot walking in nature has many healthy perks for your overall well-being. It can reduce pain, decrease stress, improve sleep, enhance mood and raise mental clarity.

• What are the benefits of grounding?

  Some of the benefits of walking barefoot are improvement in your circulation, reduction of inflammation like redness, swelling or back pain, prevention of heart disease, as well as restoring your balance and connection with nature.

• Can you walk barefoot in the forest?

  Yes, walking barefoot in natural environments like forests, streams, beaches or parks is perfectly fine because it promotes mindfulness, works like a foot massage, and provides entertainment while spending time in nature.

Merge With Nature With Your Bare Feet

Whenever I head on these barefoot adventures with my family, nature always finds a way to remind me that I am part of it. That feeling of unity and belonging encourages me to be more mindful of the environment just like I am mindful of every barefoot step. The physical touch with nature reinforces my sense of gratitude towards the earth for all the beauty that it carries and all the resources it provides for me.

Feeling the earth and water beneath my bare feet makes me not take for granted nature’s wealth and waste it in vain. It makes me feel aware of its presence and my responsibilities towards it. I believe reconnecting with the earth by walking barefoot will help us get to know our land, feel its needs, and respect it a little more.

Read more of my blogs to discover ways to connect with nature.

I'm a nature-loving mom from the Netherlands, sharing my journey of reconnecting with nature and embracing a simpler, more natural life.

Let’s explore this path together!

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