You love going barefoot, especially if you happen to be walking barefoot on the beach. The next time you’re enjoying the sensation, don’t let anyone nag you into putting on some shoes.
It turns out that walking barefoot is great for brain development.
FEEL THE GROUND AND FEEL GROUNDED
How does walking barefoot help? For one thing, it boosts something called kinesthetic awareness. In simple terms, this refers to our consciousness of where we are and how our bodies feel. When we walk directly on the earth, we know exactly where we’re walking and what it feels like.
Children who never walk barefoot don’t develop this skill, because there’s always a layer of shoes between their feet and the earth.
TRAIN YOUR BRAIN
Walking barefoot also enhances your proprioception, which is the ability to walk correctly on any type of surface. It’s what teaches your feet to keep their balance on rocks, sand, grass and pavement.
You aren’t born knowing how to do this. Your body has to learn it through experience.
A BALANCING ACT
At Natural Child magazine, Kacie Flegal explains that proprioception is “the ability to perceive the motion and position of our bodies in space.”
Learning how to keep your balance on any surface engages your brain. A healthy brain keeps you mentally sharp.
KICK OFF YOUR SHOES
Get out there and enjoy that barefoot beach stroll. Your mind, body and brain will thank you for it.