Is it really healthy to walk barefoot outside?


Recommended Posts

I was reading this article today and was shocked to read that walking barefoot outside is healthy:

 

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9099/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-going-barefoot.html

 

Anyone agree with this? If so, then why don't I see many people do this? It's so rare to see anyone here in NYC barefoot that you'll get a good number of stares if you tried it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not familiar with that site but "drawing electrons from the earth" sounds like new age quackery to me. Like wearing magnetic bracelets.

 

I'll keep my shoes I think, walking on broken glass and other sharp and possibly contaminated objects isn't my idea of healthy.  :laugh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seeing how the article is coming from a domain starting with mindbody ... of course they are going to say that's the way to go.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I lived in Southern Cal and spent the day a the beach going in and out of the ocean and walking in the sand, by the end of the day my feet would be soft and it felt good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It really depends on where you're walking around without shoes. Walking barefoot in a public bathroom, no thanks.

What? I've walked barefoot on bleach and it just made my epidermis fall off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, urine is sterile, so it's not going to cause any harm on your feet. The worst place is step barefoot is public lockeroom showers because those showers are wet 24/7, so there's a lot of fungi there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldn't feel healthy walking in NYC at all, let alone with shoes or not.   :laugh: 

But yeah spring and summer I love no shoes outside in the grass/dirt/driving/etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People here walk barefoot all the time. Most of them end up with some sort of foot injury at some point :)

Long live flip flops!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, when the weather is warm it is healthy to walk barefoot outside and outside of town too, in the country.

 

There's no health benefit in walking barefoot on asphalt/concrete in a city. On the contrary, it's a hazard as you may stomp on a small sharp object like a piece of glass or something else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I imagine this question very much depends on where you choose to do it, on the beach its probably considered essential and very good for you, on the streets of New York or London it's probably very unhealthy if not dangerous...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't see any benefit being apparent to the populace in those countrys where people are so poor they have to walk barefoot all the time so Id say its an old wives tale.The only obvious benefit you will see is more strength in the muscles of your feet as they will no longer be artificially reliant on shoes to support the foot structure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I doubt it is healthy for me to walk around in bare feet, however some cultures still walk around in bare feet. The main difference would be that they have done that all their life, so their feet are much more rough and can cope walking bare foot. Though with myself, my feet are very soft and would damage easily walking without shoes. Also, concrete, etc (flat very hard surfaces) aren't good for walking bare foot as they are too flat, due to the human foot being designed for roughed terrain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

if you walk around barefoot your feet will toughen up to meet the demand. i can't walk on concrete barefoot; it hurts too much. but if i did it consistantly my feet would get calloused up just like working hands do and everything would be fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After learning about parasitic nematodes, I say you shouldn't walk barefooted. lol

 

Some of them penetrate the skin of the sole of your foot to gain entry into your body.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I imagine this question very much depends on where you choose to do it, on the beach its probably considered essential and very good for you,

 

What about on grass? I see many people do it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.