Walking barefoot on the ground, grass, stones, pebbles, sand, snow, special rug: benefits or harm for children and adults

The benefits of walking barefoot have been known since ancient times. Residents of Egypt, Rome, and Ancient Greece regularly took barefoot walks, and children were allowed to wear shoes from the age of 18. It has already been proven that The sole is the most reflexogenic zone in humans. By pressing on points located on the foot, you can achieve a certain effect both on the body as a whole and on certain organs and systems. Let's talk about walking barefoot: how useful is it, what can be treated in this way, what should you walk on?

Walking barefoot on the ground: benefit or harm for children and adults?

According to kinesiotherapists who deal with problems of mobility of joints, spinal segments , etc., there are many more reflexogenic zones on our feet than on other areas of the skin, since mechano- and thermoreceptors are concentrated here.
In addition, it has been proven that walking barefoot on the ground is a type of foot massage that improves immunity, balances hormonal levels and normalizes the functioning of internal organs. Therefore, for both adults and children, walking barefoot is one of the factors of hardening, since due to the reaction of thermoreceptors to temperature changes, blood vessels expand and contract, which leads to an increase in lymph flow. Namely, the lymphatic system plays a major role in the functioning of the immune system.
Also, the effect on certain active points of the foot leads to normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, pressure, and even helps to reduce weight and relieve tension . Another positive point is reducing the risk that the sciatic nerve will be pinched.

Walking

The main thing is to gradually accustom the body to walking barefoot. Experts advise first walking on a flat surface for no more than 10 minutes , so as not to create a large load on the nervous system. For example, choose a path covered with soft dust to start practicing. You can start in the garden beds during the daytime.

It is better not to use the evening and morning to practice walking barefoot, since the soil at this time is colder and, moreover, is often covered with dew, which can lead to colds.

Temperature changes can be organized artificially by alternating walking on the ground with putting your feet in the water. Afterwards, to avoid the risk of fungal disease, you need to wash your feet; you can do this by adding aromatic oils of citrus fruits, rosewood, and medicinal herbs to the water.
Experts believe that walking barefoot on the ground is as beneficial for children as it is for developing fine motor skills. This has a positive effect on the child’s intellectual development and prevents flat feet. Moderate walking barefoot on a flat surface is also useful for pregnant women, as it relieves tension.
Walking barefoot on the ground is contraindicated in diabetes mellitus to avoid the risk of skin damage, which is dangerous with this disease. Barefoot walks are also not recommended for kidney problems, rheumatism and pelvic diseases in order to avoid possible temperature changes.

Day two: wet grass

The second day of barefoot life passed under the sound of rain. When the rain temporarily stopped, Desiree would go out into the yard to feel the damp earth and grass with her bare feet. This gave her the opportunity to return to her childhood - enjoying this feeling was simply wonderful! In addition, a leisurely walk through the backyard of the house after the rain helped her see previously unnoticed beauty, for example, small mushrooms that appeared after the rain passed.

Walking barefoot on the grass: benefit or harm for children and adults?

Walking barefoot on grass is just as beneficial as walking on the ground. Grass is a soft surface on which it is convenient to begin the process of accustoming the body to this type of hardening procedures. A seasoned person can even walk on it in the morning dew, but beginners should avoid this.
By the way, dew is an irritant that gradually forms a conditioned reflex, which consists in the fact that the body begins to produce heat, which is one of the elements of hardening. The temperature contrast is combined with stimulation of active points on the foot, which gives an even greater effect.
Among the arguments in favor of walking on the grass barefoot are a mild temperature difference, which is important for children, and the same soft relief, with the help of which nerve endings, which are located in large numbers on the feet, are stimulated. Ligaments and muscles are strengthened, which is especially important at a time when the child’s leg is forming. The same applies to the formation of posture and gait. It should also be noted the positive effect on the coordination of the baby’s actions and the degree of his attentiveness, which is due to the need for constant monitoring of the terrain.
Negative aspects include the possibility of injury, infection by parasites or fungal disease . Wasps or bees, ticks and other insects that can bite a person may be invisible in the grass.

On the grass

In general, grass is a soft natural material that is favorable for walking on it barefoot - this, among other things, also increases a person’s emotional state.
park lawns or summer cottages for walking barefoot , where the risks are minimal. Walking on grass can also be alternated with walking on sand or stones if the goal is the effect of reflexology.

Walking barefoot on stones: benefit or harm for children and adults?

There are different options for walking barefoot on a surface made of stones. This can be either overcoming tall boulders or walking on small pebbles . In both cases, a massage effect will be provided to the legs, and stimulation of nerve endings during such walking has a positive effect on hearing and vision, and improves the functioning of the thyroid gland and digestive system. In some cases, walking barefoot on stones even partially relieves toothache.
Of all types of surfaces, stones are the most conducive to stimulating blood circulation in the legs, which is the prevention of thrombophlebitis and a factor that helps improve the condition of ligaments. In addition, contact with stones thickens the stratum corneum of the skin, which reduces the body’s overall sensitivity to hypothermia.
At the same time, walking on stones barefoot is the most risky; if you walk carelessly, there is a high risk of dislocations and sometimes fractures. In addition, stones with sharp edges may get under your feet, and then you can cut your foot.
For healthy walking, you can create a path with your own hands, laying it out with small stones, selecting them so that there are no sharp edges. “Stone” areas can be alternated with sand areas.

Day one: walk with your pet

The first day of barefoot life started off easy enough. Until it's time to walk your little Chihuahua dog. Before the experiment, Desiree always walked with her pet around the house. But that day, walking along her usual route, she realized that the neighbors would look too closely at her bare feet, perplexed at the absence of at least some shoes on them. Luckily, Desiree writes, they didn't meet any of the neighbors during their walk, and she didn't have to voice her canned response.

A barefoot walk around the area where the girl lives showed that the area is cleaned quite well, although even small stones and twigs feel very painful under bare feet.

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Walking barefoot on pebbles: benefit or harm for children and adults?

Round-shaped pebbles are considered the most suitable for barefoot walking , which both massage the feet and help strengthen the joints.
If you walk on small pebbles , blood circulation improves and there is a better outflow of lymph in the legs. This walking can be compared to the effect of walking on small stones with a smooth surface without sharp edges. At the same time, when walking on pebbles, you need to be careful, as there may be chips with sharp edges that can injure your foot.

On the pebbles

You can walk on pebbles not only on the sea coast. You can create a “pebble beach” at home if you place pebbles on the bottom of a bathtub, small pool or, in extreme cases, a basin. It is possible to simply massage your feet while stepping on dry pebbles, but a much greater effect will be if you fill the pebbles with water, adding salt if desired to create the “sea water” effect. You can also add baking soda, all together will act as a cleansing disinfectant for the feet.
Many experts claim that pebbles as a healing element are more beneficial than other natural surfaces, incl. stones. It has predominantly rounded edges, which reduces the risk of injury. And in the case of flat feet, orthopedists advise doing the following exercise every day: fill a box with pebbles and stomp in it, massaging your feet, for 15 minutes. Both adults and children can benefit from such a procedure.

Walking on water

Foot baths can be done not only in the basin, but also in the bathroom. Walking on water is very beneficial. Blood circulation improves, the functioning of the kidneys and bladder, stomach and other abdominal organs improves, sleep improves, breathing becomes easier, and headaches are relieved.

During such walking, it is necessary to overcome the resistance of the water. The water level is gradually increased from the ankles to the calves and then to the knees. The procedure time is gradually increased from 1 to 5-6 minutes, and the temperature is gradually lowered (up to the addition of snow in winter).

After the procedure, your feet need to be wiped dry and warmed.

Walking barefoot on sand: benefit or harm for children and adults?

An equally useful exercise for the feet is walking barefoot in the sand. The specificity of this type of movement is that all the joints of the foot are free , since they are not constrained by shoes, and the sand, which has a viscous surface, forces the leg muscles to actively work.
Small grains of sand in abundance irritate the receptors of the sole, stimulating the work of many organs, incl. brain, which interacts much worse with the foot when it is in shoes rather than free. This way, signals from the brain to the feet and back travel much faster, which affects a more confident step, the correct position of the joints, the contraction of the muscles involved in walking, the position of the spine and the general coordination of movements.
Sea or river sand is very effective for walking barefoot . The main thing is to be careful not to step on glass fragments, sharp sticks and other wounding objects that may be located in the lower layers of sand.

This kind of walking is very useful

The softer the sand, the more the foot sinks into it, and if you try to walk quickly, then a fairly strong load will be placed on the tendons - such walking is comparable in effectiveness to jogging.
Warmed sea or river sand will bring significant benefits (it is even acceptable for your feet to feel hot when stepping on it) - such walking is recommended for those who suffer from joint diseases. It increases their mobility, reduces inflammation, and reduces pain when walking. Hot sand for walking is no less useful for those who have problems with the respiratory and urinary systems, as well as for women with gynecological diseases.
Cool sand also has a certain effect - walking on it reduces weakness and tremors of the hands if they are the result of chronic stress. At sea, you can use wet sand to prevent fungal diseases: if you periodically bury your toes in it, the nail plates become stronger and less susceptible to fungus.
Walking on sand is also good for the skin, as it reduces the likelihood of calluses on the feet and cracked heels. It is very good to alternate walking on dry and wet sand. In the first case, the surface helps to cushion the limb, using greater forces due to its softness and instability; in the second, the tread is more stable, the muscles are less tense, which reduces the risk of a possible sprain or fall.

Children are especially recommended to walk on sand, since it, like grass, is a fairly soft surface and at the same time creates the necessary stress for the muscles. You need to accustom your baby to walking on sand in the summer, when he is warmed up, starting from 10-15 minutes.

Day four: stones

On the fourth day of constantly walking without shoes, Desiree began to feel irritated. Many familiar things have become much more difficult to do. For example, taking out garbage into a trash can or drawing water from a rainwater barrel has become quite problematic, because they are located on an area lined with stones, and such a surface causes a lot of pain and minor injuries to bare feet.

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Walking barefoot in the snow: benefit or harm for children and adults?

Many people today practice walking in the snow for short periods of time and enjoy it. But not only a psychological, but also a healing effect : improved blood circulation, activation of biologically active points located on the feet, reduction of pain in muscles that were tired during the day.
Therefore, barefoot walking in the snow is sometimes (depending on the person’s condition) recommended for those who suffer from osteochondrosis, are recovering from an injury associated with the musculoskeletal system, and even in the postoperative period.
In addition, the low temperature that affects the foot helps stimulate the cardiovascular system, accelerating and improving the outflow of venous blood . If we talk about the psychological state, it has been proven that low temperatures in measured quantities affect the fact that the body begins to produce endorphins and serotonin in greater quantities, and therefore this effect is positive for neuroses and depressive states.
Scientists have found that when the foot is cooled to 0° , the maximum therapeutic effect is observed, so you should not run in the snow in 20-30 degree frosts, especially without preparation.

It is snowing…

Beauty in the city!

Everything is so fluffy - beautiful, beautiful, especially at night... About three o'clock...

She went out once and back into the hole.

So here it is

The third day it's snowing, and I'm fucking it.

I’m fucking like hell - I thought, like a person, I’ll go to the village... I’ll clean up the shit, eat, and at least run to my relatives in the neighboring village.

I don’t give a damn about walking across a field barefoot – even going “home” naked.

Herushki!

It started snowing on the evening of the tenth, so it doesn’t stop for the fourth day... it’s completely fucked up what’s going on in the city - the roads are being cleared through the ass, there’s snow to hell; it’s hard to walk - the people are angry, they can’t walk... and the frosts of about ten degrees stung the past days... today - and today is the thirteenth of January at about eight in the morning, my goat has been around for 24 hours... and I’m walking all like this... frozen like a beast, having washed three times during the night entrance to Dergacheva... I’m going home...

If the city is not cleaned up, then we have a complete mess here...

I’m leaving after spending three days at work - I left on the tenth, and now I’m just returning; Mother-in-law told me to sit at work until she told me - you said you got off easy! Yeah... the fact that Nadya, barefoot with a shovel, cleaned the entrance to the shopping center from morning until evening... and there, excuse me, there was a pebble and... it’s so cold... wet... and it’s also blowing there... and I’m still wearing a robe that fits a rag and a jacket current... the jacket doesn't keep you warm at all, and even when you throw it with a shovel, it comes unbuttoned, and your breasts almost come out... and it's cold and embarrassing... not only do they look like shit... the legs, the brutes, they crushed probably three times... the chicken alone stepped on with its stiletto heel I started crying... I thought the fucked-up little finger would come... I should at least apologize... where could I go... I curled my lips... myself, mandatra, in a fur coat that probably looks like my mother-in-law's apartment... she looked at me like that - it would be better if I told him to fuck me... it was so disgusting...

I went to warm up, of course, but... through the parking lot, and while my feet were numb on the icy dirty concrete... I fell a couple of times - not only was I barefoot, but the hem of my robe was covered in dirt and some kind of oil... it’s so embarrassing, although I wash myself as best I can , I can’t work through it, but they look at the bullshit better...

So, I was warming up in the utility room... and I want to go in and it seems like you’ll just get stuck all over the radiator... and your heels and especially your toes start to warm up like this... so cry, Nadya... cry... What should I do? I was clutching a rag with my teeth when my fingers were burning like sticks in an oven with pain when I put them in the radiator... but I can’t stand the cold... it’s tearing me to pieces... fortunately at least I could sleep at night - Valerka left the closet unlocked for me at the barrier, he said only to I wasn’t there for six, otherwise we’d get pissed off for a couple of times - so what should I do... I also ate Rollton, Valeron also treated me... it’s awkward and scary - Leshenka will find out, because he’ll beat me to the point of bleeding... he’s crazy enough...

In short, three days flew by - I’ll clear the snow, wash the porch, clean it again - I’ll warm up... I’ll cry - I’ll clear the snow again... And it’s rough, dirty and sprinkled with some kind of salt or something - my heels had a hard time yesterday...

Yesterday my goat was on duty - I thought he would fuck him; no... Andryukha, the leader of his shift, sent him to the third floor, where all the entertainment is in the shopping center and such an attractive girl like me is not allowed to go there - so I didn’t see him for a day. And I didn’t see her in the evening - she left at the beginning of eleven; I needed to clean three entrances during the night... to make up for the fact that, by the grace of my mother-in-law, I skipped...

I walked from the shopping center... to the house on foot through all this snow and through the porridge, sometimes I fell ankle-deep, wet and tired... and then as before the Giant - this is another shopping center on the outskirts, and behind it for half a kilometer there is nothing just the road to the new district of Dergachev , and already from him and to my Kukuevka another three - I got there, then that’s it... there is no sidewalk... along the edge of the road... and cars are flying... scary... there are so many fools - just yesterday Irka told how pedestrians were hit before her eyes - so as soon as the headlights - Dya put her bare feet into a snowdrift... and they fell like blocks of ice, or, on the contrary, she fell knee-deep... she languished in death until it passed...

Then I washed the floors... I looked through the trash heaps again... at least it wasn’t boots, but shoes that were lousy... torn slippers... broken flip-flops... or better yet, an old, warm jacket... with a hood... I wouldn’t take it off even in the house... but how could I sleep in it... fuck it - you can’t see anything under the snow, so Nadechka, say thank you that she didn’t catch any broken bottle with her heel... she was daydreaming... a down jacket... a hat...

Oh... I’m almost there to get my thoughts... there’s not much left... there’s a familiar car ahead... but it’s not really mine! Exactly - mine! The falcon got stuck on his “Rocket” - so sit here, you goat... it’s a pity that you have to walk through the deep snow - but for the sake of this I’ll dive into the hole... In general, bye-bye, Nadechka ran, though through the cemetery and around - well, to hell with him!

Maybe I’ll have time to wash myself and drink some tea... if there’s no one at home and they don’t send me back right away... ... I walked three steps and... I returned to the road... my husband still... and someone will definitely notice that she was walking in a roundabout way while Leshka was skidding... even though ugly... but still mine... I love...

In general, I went to help him... I don’t see any tea today... ...they must have been digging out for an hour, I don’t know exactly, but I couldn’t feel my legs anymore - this one went home, and I followed him... on foot... my legs were like ice... and I was icy myself... at the house I pushed him again - and he was sitting in the car waiting for me to come...

She came home barely alive... and then the mother-in-law showed up - where, he asks, has the bitch been hanging around? He says to the shovel in his teeth and go to Kristinka, her youngest daughter, who works as a local saleswoman in the store - there is snow to be removed...

Walking barefoot on a special rug: benefit or harm for children and adults?

If the goal is to massage the lower extremities in order to activate the necessary biologically active points, then you can use a special massage mat.
If you do this regularly, the blood supply to the body improves, pain in the legs and spine decreases, and overall well-being improves . People become less susceptible to fatigue and insomnia.

It is especially useful for children to walk on the mat.
Recommendations for walking on a massage mat are:

The need to reduce overall stress in the body.
Clubfoot.
Starting from the age of one - to prevent flat feet, as well as to ensure that the foot forms correctly.
For hypertonicity, dystonia - in order to relieve muscle tension.

The choice of material for an orthopedic massage mat is quite wide, but the main condition for quality is the availability of documents confirming its hygienic registration.

Most often, silicone massage mats are used for preventive purposes when there is a risk of flat feet, as well as to generally strengthen the body. This is facilitated by the uneven surface of the mat, imitating a scattering of pebbles or grass.
There are also acupuncture mats, the edges of which resemble small needles. Their positive effect is to relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation. Stimulation of endorphin production during a massage on such a mat helps speed up metabolism and strengthen the immune system.
Puzzle rugs have different hardnesses and, despite the fact that they are for children, can also be used for adults. They are good for incipient flat feet.
On hemispherical rugs with protruding spikes of slight rigidity, you can additionally train the vestibular system, since the semicircular surface teaches you to maintain balance and improves coordination of movements.

Temporary contraindications for the use of massage mats are the presence of injuries or cuts on the foot or fungal diseases.
There is a general rule for all special orthopedic mats: the younger the child, the softer the surface of the massager should be.

In addition, when choosing a product material for children, you should take into account the need for frequent washing. Before you start walking on a mat, it is better to consult with an orthopedic doctor.

How to teach a child to walk barefoot?

Regardless of what kind of coating is used - natural or a special rug, you need to start by getting used to it. How to teach a child to walk barefoot? Let the child stand quietly and walk with his back straight.
The next stage is alternating walking on heels and toes at different speeds, rolling the leg from the heel . Then you can start running and jumping.
You should not walk barefoot for more than half an hour. It’s better to let the child take a break, during which he can, while sitting, bend and straighten his toes, connect his feet, and slide them in a circle on the selected surface.

Conclusions and stilettos

Desiree shares her impressions after a barefoot week like this: “The 24/7 shoeless experiment gave me a double feeling. On the one hand, freeing myself from shoes gave me a lot of pleasant impressions. Walking barefoot didn't force me to think about choosing shoes or whether they would be comfortable for today's weather. But, on the other hand, such a barefoot life has a huge number of restrictions associated with pain, injury, discomfort and social taboos.”

Well, we can conclude that everything is good in moderation. And stiletto heels are very comfortable and elegant. In the meantime, as long as human feet need protection, the shoe industry will flourish.

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Which is better to walk at home: barefoot or with shoes?

Not all floors in our houses and apartments are warm, so their temperature is quite low. Therefore, walking barefoot on parquet, linoleum or other flooring , including carpets, is not recommended for either adults or children. It’s better to wear socks or slippers at home, and children whose feet are just developing or who have orthopedic problems should choose high-quality indoor shoes made from natural materials that have reliable fasteners, a high heel and arch support.
If your child's feet are developing normally, you can periodically allow him to walk around the house barefoot in the summer. It’s good if the floor coverings in different rooms are different - this will be an additional foot massage. The exception is the bathroom - being barefoot in it is only possible if the floors are heated.

What conclusion can be drawn from all of the above? Of course, walking barefoot is useful if you use natural surfaces with natural relief changes. This strengthens the feet, muscles, and promotes overall health. In addition, in this way a person is in harmony with nature, therefore, his emotional state improves. Walking barefoot on flat floor coverings does not have such an effect, and therefore does not bring benefits to the body.

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Day seven: relaxation

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All day she never stepped on anything or hit anything! But, as Desiree writes on her blog, her legs hurt terribly after a week of walking without any protection.