Have you heard?
Walking barefoot on the grass is good for you! For all of us who thought this was just a simple summertime pleasure, there’s an actual medical term for it: grounding. Apparently our feet have lost touch with the earth’s electrical charge because our soles are obstructed by shoes and manufactured flooring.
What??!!
While the research is very far from definitive, it suggests kicking off your shoes may help improve your sleep, stress and overall tension levels. It’s also cited as helping regulate circadian rhythms (think healthy sleep and wake cycles) and may decrease inflammation. If grass isn’t your speed (or it triggers a sneezing fit), some suggest walking on soil or sand, or going for a swim in a natural body or water.
My take…
Really important to pick your time and place (hello goose droppings at Sunnybrook). Walking on dirt also seems a bit much, and there is no way I’m going to encourage my kids to do that. Any benefits would be cancelled out by the stress of cleaning up after them. Stick to the grass and sand, and always watch your step!
