The surprising effects of walking barefoot every day

Walking barefoot on gravel is very good for your health - Illustration photo

Walking half an hour every day and the unexpected effects

Physician Hoang Duy Tan, former vice president of the Dong Nai Oriental Medicine Association, said that one of his colleagues was surprised to see many people walking back and forth and dancing on a stone-paved road in China.

Not understanding the significance of this, the international scientists, upon returning home, conducted an experimental study involving 108 participants walking barefoot on gravel roads, half completely barefoot, half wearing socks. They walked on gravel roads for half an hour every day.

After 16 weeks of the experiment, the health of the members improved, but the best medical indicators belonged to the barefoot group.

The experimental group said that people over 60 years old should walk barefoot on gravel for 30 minutes every day for at least 4 months (must walk on gravel, not concrete like in cities), walking on concrete or marble floors does not bring much results.

Answering the question of why walking barefoot is good for health? Physician Hoang Duy Tan said that according to Oriental medicine, the soles of the feet are where many acupuncture points are concentrated, reflecting all the important organs inside the body such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

The left foot represents the left side of the body, reflecting the health of the heart, spleen, anus, hemorrhoids, etc. The right foot represents the right side of the body, reflecting the liver, gallbladder, and appendix.

Therefore, walking barefoot will cause the soles of the feet to be rubbed strongly, stimulating these acupuncture points, thereby improving the health of the body's organ systems.

The sole of the foot is where many acupuncture points are concentrated, reflecting all the important organs inside the body - Illustration photo

Researchers recommend that we walk barefoot on surfaces such as grass, sand, wood or gravel to increase the sensitivity of the feet and help strengthen the leg muscles. At the same time, the soles of the feet are in direct contact with these objects, which will have an effective massage effect, helping blood circulation, good for blood vessels and connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments.

Accordingly, walking barefoot every day will bring the following effects:

- Within 1 second : Helps relieve stress immediately, reduces muscle tension and shifts brain waves.

- 5 minutes of walking barefoot every day: Your internal organs will change positively; Blood viscosity will decrease, similar to the effect of aspirin; Circulation will improve; Oxygen in the blood will increase; Blood pressure will be balanced; Blood sugar will be stable...

- 8 hours of barefoot walking per day (in cases requiring therapy):

. Signs of osteoporosis are significantly reduced.

. Thyroid function is balanced.

. Cortisol (stress) levels decrease.

- Walking barefoot for days.

. Easily adapt to the ups and downs of life.

. Inflammation and inflammation-related diseases are less developed.

. The body recovers faster from nervous stress and trauma.

The authors of the above study also evaluated that barefoot walking therapy on gravel roads is especially beneficial for the elderly, aged 60 and over.

Walking barefoot indoors also has many benefits.

Unexpected benefits of walking barefoot indoors

Doctor Dinh Minh Tri, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, said that walking barefoot in the house every day is also very good:

- Enhanced proprioception and balance: People can develop their proprioception and balance skills by regularly walking barefoot, which is important for stability and coordination.

Walking barefoot improves balance and reduces the risk of falling or tripping while walking.

- Improved posture: Walking barefoot affects the legs, ankles and feet in a different way than wearing shoes, helping to improve alignment and posture throughout the body. When wearing shoes, one may not be able to feel the full range of motion in the feet, so posture may be limited.

- Strengthens leg muscles: Walking barefoot helps strengthen the leg muscles, and therefore stronger muscles, which helps promote better posture and balance for the entire body.

A 2017 study in the research journal Gait & Posture found that going barefoot improves foot strength and balance, and reduces the risk of falls, especially in older adults.

- Reduce stress : "Grounding" by walking barefoot has positive effects on health. Walking barefoot helps stimulate the nerve endings in the feet. This helps reduce stress by applying constant pressure and massaging the nerves.

According to a 2015 study in the medical journal Journal of Inflammation Research , going barefoot can improve sleep and levels of the anti-stress hormone cortisol, reduce pain, reduce stress, and speed wound healing.

- Improves blood circulation: The Times of India cites research that suggests that walking barefoot puts pressure on the soles of the feet, which helps increase blood circulation and supports cardiovascular health as well as overall health. Continuously massaging the soles of the feet with the ground can improve blood circulation in the legs.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tac-dung-bat-ngo-cua-viec-di-chan-tran-moi-ngay-20240528222944857.htm