After an exhausting day, we want to have a moment to de-stress, that is to say "take the pressure off", but how many things are the ones that pressure us during the day? Surely there are many, from work or family responsibilities to those physical things that give us the feeling of being squeezed like when you move with a lot of people in the subway, or when you are stuck in a long queue of cars in traffic, even when you wear a girdle all day. If this has happened to you, our whole being is screaming for freedom.
What is the first item you want to take off when you get home? Is it your shoes? If so, then you are in tune with me.
Feet are vital structures to keep us upright and move by our means anywhere we want. However, sometimes we forget to pamper them, and I don't mean manicuring them. I'm talking about leaving them free and putting them in contact with natural surfaces. Have you heard the phrase "down to earth"? I had heard it several times, but I discovered the true meaning of this phrase by setting my feet free.
In ancient times man began to wear shoes to protect himself from the unevenness of the terrain when walking. However, in recent decades shoe design has given priority to aesthetics (sometimes not so much) over their protective purpose, and shoes have become a tight-fitting case preventing our toes from stretching properly and our soles from being comfortable.
To enjoy the benefits of "having our feet on the ground", we must hang up our tennis shoes for a moment and find a comfortable place in nature to get in direct contact with it through our feet.
When I see the soft grass in the garden and the wet dew on the leaves, I feel the need to experience those sensations on my skin, and what better way to do it than walking barefoot?
At first, it is not easy, but as I observe some animals walking gently on the fresh grass, I want to try it too.
Sometimes it is hard to get rid of shoes, especially because we are prejudiced about the germs on the ground, but if you are looking for a safe place, the sensation of touching the grass with your feet is wonderful, it is like having a natural massage with multiple leaves gently caressing your skin. This pleasure releases endorphins in our brains, and we begin to experience a sense of calm and tranquility. It is the beginning of the feeling of freedom!
You can experience walking barefoot in other natural environments as on the beach. It is one of the greatest tests of coordination and balance for our body.
There are parts of the marine environment that have a small patch of grass on which you can walk barefoot. They are usually on flat terrain with no unevenness. However, there are some irregular rock formations where it is dangerous to walk barefoot if you don't have strength in your ankles and calves. I have seen some fishermen walking on these rocks. They are masters of balance, they have been doing this for years.
However, when facing the sea, there are always generous amounts of soft, warm sand waiting for our feet. As we experience pleasure through our feet, we can begin to have more satisfying and positive thoughts. It is a way to move away from pessimism. It is a natural way to revitalize ourselves. There is a magical moment when our lungs begin to expand to their maximum capacity making us take deeper breaths in and out. Our breathing rate slows down and becomes calmer.
Although the sand is not firm in some stretches, little by little, we manage to balance ourselves. If we can achieve this by stepping on the uneven sand, we can also achieve balance in other aspects of our life.
If you regularly practice walking barefoot in a space in nature, you will get used to feel relaxed "from head to toe", this will push you to look for natural ways to extend this state of wellness to the rest of your body including your emotional part.
Feet are one of the most sensitive parts of our body, let the feeling of freedom start through them!
All images are property of the author, except for those that have their reference
(Camera cell phone: POCO X3 Pro, Xiaomi)
