Why Barefoot (in snow) is Best

There is one thing that always seems to present a challenge. Barefoot walking seems to be approached without enough information to fully enjoy it in a modern world, when the convention seems to be wearing shoes. Generally, our society does not walk enough and many big cities (not mine) have limited pedestrian options available.

Walking barefoot or with barefoot shoes have many benefits for our health and well-being. These benefits are not unreliable, I myself, have found them to be true. Here are some of the benefits, that will no doubt, encourage and inspire your barefoot journey.

HEIGHTENED EXHILARATION

You’ll quickly discover that making a quick step into a fresh pile of snow is a lot of fun. The soft, cooling feeling underfoot is a very difficult thing to explain. Connecting with the Earth is a magical sensation. Lighting up of the nerve endings, as you go out onto the cold leaves you with a sense of exhilaration.

In most cases, our feet are well protected and insulated. Even if you are wearing barefoot shoes and or socks, it’s not quite the same sensation. The cold feeling of the fresh snow for a few minutes at a time is whole new level of sensations.

AN INCREASED SENSE OF WELL BEING

Following a quick step on the snow, I’m always left with a significantly increased sense of well being. The firing up of all the nerve endings in my feet reminds the body that I exist. It’s well documented that the feet are engorged with millions of receptors that allow us the feel the space that we’re in and create a space of balance and connection to the earth.

INCREASED CIRCULATION

Standing barefoot in the snow helps to stimulate the functioning of your organs. Now this can be multi-fold. One is due to reflexology. Second, you are bathing in morning sunlight and getting vitamin D, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. By stimulating all these nerve endings, you’re helping your body fire off receptors that will increase blood flow through your body’s systems.

The soles of our feet are extremely sensitive to touch and the ground beneath us. This is due to a high concentration of nerve endings, with as many as 200,000 per sole. 

REDUCED INFLAMMATION

Cold therapy as a practice is an excellent way to work on decreasing inflammation. Wim Hof the cold therapy aficionado, takes this to the next level. This is not the faint hearted, but a few minutes on and off in fresh snow is has more benefits than downsides. Be aware and listen to your body. If you have existing conditions like Arthritis, this could be more of an irritation.

INCREASED IMMUNITY

Most of us Canadians in the winter spend more time indoors than we’d like and are heavily insulated to the exposure of cold. Hindering the body’s processing to adapt and build up resistance to the elements.

During the winter months, I try and walk the dog will as little layers as I dare to get used to the cold. By the time it’s full-blown winter, I can get away with just a weatherproof jacket on a short walk. More importantly, I virtually never get a cold or flu because my body is used to and better adapted to the cold exposure.

GROUNDING

Walking Barefoot in the snow is like grounding super amplified. Grounding is when you allow your body to be in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. In this case, it would be with your bare feet connecting directly to the earth through the snow.

HERE’S HOW TO GIVE IT A TRY

DON’T MOVE TOO FAST

Be careful NOT to move too fast in the cold. Be aware that the when you are cold, the body make our muscles contract. If we move too fast, we can force our muscles to overstretch; this is never a good thing as we are a bit more brittle. So take it slowly at first when you venture out on the snow and get a feel for the new sensations underfoot.

TIME YOUR SNOW WALK

A good tip I use is to decide how long I want to venture out for, say its 3 minutes to start with on fresh snow. That means it 90 seconds one way and 90 seconds back. I just do a count to 90 in my head (slow or fast depending on how I am feeling that day) and once I get to 90, I turn and head back.

Once I get back, I warm up again and decide if I want to go out again. If you do it this way, you will avoid any potential of getting frostbite. If go out several times, the body will adapt and begin to compensate; you will reach an equilibrium state where your body creates enough heat to compensate for heat you will be losing through your feet.

WRAP UP WARM BEFORE YOU GO OUT

Always warm up before you go out, once you are out there, head back in before you lose feeling in your toes.

A good amount of warm clothing is an excellent way to do this. I always have a hat or head covering of some sort on. I find a lot of heat and warm escapes upward from the head. Also, a scarf and a good winter jacket is the way to go. More is definitely better in the beginning. You can make a call, as to what layer you remove as you go.

KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS BEFORE YOU GO OUT

You should always walk barefoot in the snow in a familiar place, like the back garden or familiar trails. This reduces any guesswork and nasty surprises that may be out there. Stubbing your bare exposed foot in snow is not fun.

STAY LIGHT ON YOUR FEET

Keep your footsteps light. This ensures that you are pumping plenty of blood down into your feet, while you are out on the snow. Keep to the balls of your feet as much as possible, especially in the beginning. As I said earlier your body will soon adapt and keep your extremities warm.

BUILD UP TIME ON THE SNOW GRADUALLY

Your first barefoot walk will be a ton of fun. But as I said, try not to get carried away and stay out too long. Over time, you’ll be able to go for a longer period. Remember, it’s a new skill you are learning, and your body will work with you. Don’t push your self too hard. Your body will thank you for it.

BOTTOM LINE

Do what feels best in your body and take it slow. Don’t get caught up in the number of steps a day you need to take. You’ll soon realize you’ll have a natural desire to feel that “high” of nerve receptors, flowing through your feet and body’s systems.

Adapted from https://www.barefoottrainingcentral.com/health-benefits-of-walking-barefoot-in-snow/