HEALTH: Nowadays, we can easily run on any road. We do not face any problem in commuting or walking anywhere. The main reason for this is shoes or slippers. The question is that when humans had not invented shoes, how were their feet protected. Walking and running are the basis of mankind’s life. Since ancient times, there has been a need for humans to run after wild animals to hunt them or to run to escape from the animal that is chasing them.
When humans first started using sandals 40 thousand years ago, it must have been no less than an achievement for the humans of that time. There is hardly anyone who does not have any acquaintance with them. The invention of sandals and shoes has been like a revolutionary change in the lives of humans. Today the situation is that everyone is using them. The question is arising whether always using shoes is good for health. It has been revealed in many experiments that walking while wearing shoes affects our gait. So much so that questions have started being raised on their use. The pressure exerted with every increasing step also changes due to the shoes. This also affects how our feet will be in contact with the ground.
The answer lies in the order of nature. To understand this mechanism of nature that makes the legs tough, Harvard University researcher Daniel Lieberman conducted extensive research. He included 81 local women and men in Kenya in this research. Scientists have found that people who keep walking continuously, the skin on the lower parts of their feet becomes 25 to 30 percent thicker than the skin on other parts. The advantage of this thick skin is that the person does not experience pain from small pebbles even while walking. Nature provided protective cover to humans who walked barefoot. For such people, nature’s arrangement was such that the skin on their heels and soles became very hard. This thick skin did not allow him to feel pain even when walking barefoot. Seeing this process of thickening of the skin, a question arises in the mind whether this skin becomes insensitive. Scientists found surprising results in this case also. This skin is sensitive in a special way. Despite having thick skin, such people do not have any problem in balancing while walking. Scientists found that when such people walk barefoot, this skin does not allow them to feel pebbles and stones, but they easily feel the touch of the earth.
Many benefits of walking barefoot on green grass in the morning dew have already been revealed. Scientists say that wherever possible, people should try to walk barefoot. Always wearing shoes and slippers puts extra pressure on the joints of the feet. In the long run it becomes the cause of many problems.
- While walking barefoot, the lower part of your toes comes in direct contact with the earth, which exercises all the parts through acupressure, and provides relief from many diseases.
- Naturally, the earth’s energy is transmitted through your feet to your entire body, which is very beneficial for your health. Due to this you do not suffer from diseases related to the earth element.
- You keep your feet packed with shoes or slippers throughout the day, in such a situation, being barefoot in the open air provides ample oxygen to the feet, improves blood circulation, which eliminates their fatigue or pain.
- Walking barefoot activates all those muscles which are not used while wearing shoes. Meaning, apart from your legs, all the body parts associated with them become active.
- By wearing shoes and slippers throughout the day, you definitely maintain balance while walking, but walking barefoot helps in maintaining the natural sense of balance of all the senses of your body.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times Washington.
