Walking and running barefoot

The sun peeks out from behind the mountain. The crickets are chirping. The fresh green of the grass meets the beguiling blue of the sky. And it smells of meadow herbs and light-heartedness. A wonderful scenario, isn't it? And now imagine taking off your shoes and giving your feet maximum freedom. The stalks tickle your toes and the earth nestles softly against the balls of your feet. Does you good, doesn't it? 

For most of us, however, this experience happened months ago - even though we first discover the world barefoot as children. In any case, you should do this more often, because walking or running barefoot is not only good for you, it's also healthy. This blog post reveals the benefits of doing so.

Walking and running barefoot: 5 fabulous benefits

Orthopaedists agree: walking barefoot has many positive effects on our bodies. Not only on the foot muscles, but also on other important aspects. We present five of them:

• Better appearance: With shoes, many of us tread incorrectly. This means that we put our heel on first and then roll forward. This has a lot to do with habit - over the course of our lives, we literally fall into this wrong step. When walking or running barefoot, however, we often do it right instinctively. We put the front and middle foot on first and then roll backwards. So if you regularly leave your shoes behind and walk around barefoot, you will improve your own stride. And by placing your feet on the ground and rolling off correctly, not only is every step better cushioned, but there is also less strain on the knees and hip joints.
   
• Stronger muscles: Another advantage of walking barefoot is that it strengthens the muscles in the foot and lower leg. It also improves blood circulation and stretches the tendons. Foot deformities such as flat feet or splayed feet are therefore much less common. Regular barefoot walking even counteracts unpleasant ailments such as hallux valgus or heel spurs.
   
• More upright posture : Whether it's grass, sand, stones or earth - when walking barefoot, the motto is: the more different the surfaces, the better. Especially when we walk over uneven surfaces, our body has to constantly maintain balance. And it has far more to do than in shoes. The result: muscles and ligaments are exercised more. This also has a positive effect on our coordination skills. Overall, we can move better, are more stable, have a more pronounced sense of balance and an improved body awareness.
   
• Greater self-confidence: The benefits of walking or running barefoot described in the last point are accompanied by another positive aspect: because those who feel their own body better, walk more upright and have better posture overall are often also more self-confident and self-assured.
   
• More resistant immune system: Walking on warm surfaces in summer sounds promising to many. But who can imagine taking their shoes off on colder days? That's where the wheat is usually separated from the chaff. But whether it's dewy meadows, a damp forest floor or cold stones - our immune system is happy about it. This is because it has a similar effect to contrast showers. However, the most important prerequisite for this is that we keep moving so that we don't cool down. It is also essential to dry off well and warm up again afterwards. For example, wrapped in a blanket and with a cup of tea.

Getting your feet used to the new freedom

So, have you got the urge to slip out of your shoes and set off? Very good! But don't overdo it at first, because walking and running barefoot is unfamiliar for most of us. So it's a good idea to slowly get your feet and muscles used to the new freedom, but also the strain, and start with small units. This will help you avoid strains. The surface also plays an important role at the beginning: prefer soft ground to harder surfaces.

Discover the Turracher Höhe barefoot

We at the Seehotel Jägerwirt also believe in walking barefoot - and can do so in a unique natural setting. Between fragrant stone pine forests, crystal-clear lakes and plenty of lush green meadows. As if that wasn't enough, we also offer regular barefoot hikes in summer. Our guests, both young and old, can experience nature up close, hiking barefoot over the high moor and across magnificent alpine meadows. The offer is rounded off with a lake picnic and a visit to the "Mythos Edelstein" museum.