Ditch the shoes
Taking a pause from food this week to talk about another aspect of well-being.
Mobility
Summer is upon us. That means warmer floors. It’s barefoot season.
Why ditch the shoes (and socks!)?
“A general consensus seems to be that habitually barefoot individuals have stronger feet and less foot and toe deformities. Furthermore, it is found that habitually barefoot feet have a higher arch, are more pliable and have a reduced hallux angle.”
[source]
Why remove socks?
Proprioception.
“Proprioception as the ability of an organism to perceive the position and movements of joints and the perception of force in space allows us to better understand our movement and posture. Proprioception is closely related to balance.”
[source]
“We conclude that sensitivity to foot position declines with age, mainly owing to loss of plantar tactile sensitivity. Footwear impairs foot position awareness in both young and old. Loss of foot position awareness may contribute to the frequency of falls in later life.”
[source]
Walking barefoot in your home is free. It’s easy. It’s good for your feet.
Are there additional options for improving foot mobility and strength?
Toe yoga
My physical therapist has been enthusiastic about the benefits of toe yoga since I started working with him in 2021.
I’ve learned so much about my body after nearly three years (and counting) of consistent physical therapy. That’s a whole other post, but one thing I learned, at 49, is I was wearing the wrong shoe size. My right big toe extends a good 1/2 inch further than my my left. I went from a 6 / 6.5 to a 7.
We may be unconsciously inviting either near or longer-term structural issues if our big toes can’t do their job when we walk because they don’t have enough space to move.
Can’t spread all of your toes? Toe yoga! Poor toe flexion? Toe yoga! Read more about the mobility issues associated with poor big toe flexion.
Toe yoga is for anyone who has feet.
Barefoot shoes
I came across Vivobarefoot around 2017. They’re a UK company.
I may have seen an ad on Instagram or I may have heard about Vivobarefoot on the Rich Roll Podcast.
I’d like to call myself an early adopter, mainly because they aren’t cute. And I like a cute shoe. But I realized my body mechanics were suffering for it. I found that hard to justify, maybe more so because I’d been practicing yoga for years, where we are asked to spread our toes in every class.
What is Vivobarefoot’s claim?
“Wearing Vivobarefoot for six months increases foot strength by 60%.”
Another bonus? They’re easy to pack.
Looking for a less expensive option?
Check out Whitin. I have not tried these, but my physical therapist has a pair.
You may have to suspend your disbelief in fashion and barefoot shoes. The barefoot shoe choice is about freedom to walk comfortably when we are 85 and older. For some people, foot and other structural issues may happen even earlier.
For me, taking shoes off when it’s practical just makes sense.
Everything in the body is connected.
Feet are the foundation in the truest sense.
There is no walking without feet that are strong and capable.
Physical therapists I trust recommend taking shoes off indoors.
I have enough information to make a decision to do the thing.
Happy summer!
Do you like walking barefoot? Let me know in the comments below!
Additional reading
Orthotics: Am I giving up a soul for a sole
Walking in minimalist shoes is effective for strengthening foot muscles
Thanks for reading!
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Eat more plants. 🥦 Hydrate.🚰 Move.🤸 Prioritize sleep. 🛌
I have no affiliation with Vivobarefoot.
