Many moons ago, I wrote a post about how kicking off your shoes and going barefoot can have health benefits! And hey.. summer is right around the corner my friends. I think it’s nigh time that we let our feet get re-acquainted with mother earth (cuz it feels sooo goood :D).
It turns out that most shoes actually are not very good for your feet or spine. With the heel raised and the foot wrapped in thick padding… this is an unnatural way to walk and can inevitably lead to back and foot problems for many people.
Plus, getting connected with the earth may have another secret health benefit, and it’s called grounding.
If a building or appliance is “grounded” that means that its electricity can be transferred to the earth in order to prevent an electrical buildup and the damage that can come along with power surges.
All living things have low levels of electrical activity running through them, so this concept is applied to our own bodies as well. When we step onto the ground without the insulating factor of shoes, our free radicals (those bad things that promote aging by scooting around in your body and causing damage to cells) can diffuse out into the earth and we can gain a flow of healing electrons in return – instantly giving your body a healthy boost.
Anyway… just read the article if you want more info-mation. Earthing allegedly produces a very calming effect on your nervous system and is able to diffuse stress hormones (which could have a very positive effect on your skin).
How Do We Get Grounded?
You hit your sister and pull her hair.
JK 🙂
So what can you do to help out your poor spine and also get the benefits of grounding without walking around barefoot everywhere all the time?
Well, for the spine thingy, they have what they call “minimalist” shoes (many people swear by these that they fixed their foot and back problems), and now they have come out with something even better…. minimalist GROUNDING shoes. Well, sandals anyway.
So yeah, the popular minimalist shoes are called Vibram Fivefingers. They’re like gloves for your feet. I bought a pair a couple years ago, and I will admit, they allowed me to run way faster than before. And I enjoyed the minimalist sensation – as close to barefoot as possible, but with protection.
However, I have to admit… they’re pretty dang fugly. And unfortunately my pair gave me blisters on one of my heels, even though I tried to rationalize with myself that I could fix it with a little piece of sock tucked in the back. But alas, I was kidding myself, and I had to quit wearing them in the end.
Here’s my old video about my Vibram Fivefingers. This video has a huge amount of views on Youtube but – LOL – the commenters on this video made fun of me so bad when I talked about the electron/free radical thing. I guess it sounds too much like witchcraft voodoo for some people (and who knows? Maybe it is, but I do feel more ‘grounded’ when I’m barefoot on the earth, and that’s all I know):
Anyway, I’m back on the bandwagon after I discovered these sandals called Earth Runners. They’re minimalist (so they’re good for your feet and spine), and they have copper connectors that go through the sandal from your foot to the earth. Apparently it’s the next best thing to actually being barefoot. This video demonstrates the conduction rate compared to normal shoes and being totally barefoot:
Plus they’re about a hundred times more attractive than Vibrams, and in my opinion, way more comfortable once you get the straps adjusted to your foot. I’ve been wearing them hiking and bike riding – comfy and functional. Even that cynical Matt Stone guy is wearing them!
Anyway, if you want to try a pair, they make them custom for your foot, which is pretty cool. I have the Quantum ones, which apparently have a little bit more protection than the Ultralites, which are true minimalist sandals. Check out their website, and blog if you want to know more about earthing.
ALSO REALLY GOOD NEWS: If you want to get a pair of earthing sandals from Earthrunners.com, you can get a pair 15% off if you use the discount code TheLoveVitamin when you check out!
Happy summer 🙂
Cool stuff! I picked up some minimalist shoes not too long ago and LOVE them. I didn’t go for the 5 fingers though – I figured they’d attract too much attention and they’re ugly. There are a few companies making “barefoot” hiking shoes (I got some from Merrell) and are definitely worth checking out. I liked them so much that I’ve been on the hunt for a minimalist dress shoe for work (and there are some small companies making them if you google search barefoot dress shoes!!)
I also had read about grounding before (and have seen grounding mats and blankets for your bed and stuff) but MINIMALIST AND GROUNDING shoes?! Pretty cool if you ask me! I’m going to have to check them out. I love the idea of going barefoot more when possible, but these look like a cool alternative when you need to have something on
Thanks for sharing, love the love vitamin!
No worries friend!
Do these shoes not make you more susceptible to being hit by lightning??
haha someone else asked me this when I got them… my rationale says no. And this guy says no: http://stormhighway.com/small_metal_objects_attract_lightning_myth.shtml
Besides, being hit by lightning is like a one in a gazillion chance. Apparently you are more likely to win the lottery. I wouldn’t worry about it 🙂
Hi… I have been googling the long term injuries caused by lightning and found your article… You say – Being hit by lightning “is like a one in a gazillion chance”… if 1 lightning strike = gazillion, what does 8 lightning strikes = ???? Fact (& all have been witnessed) – I have been struck 8 times over 40 years – only hospitalised twice… I have serious neuro problems now (sensory nerves)& trying to see if there is a link to the lightning strikes… any ideas…?? Thanks Garry
That’s terrifying dude! I’ve read stories where people have these electromagnetic fields around them constantly that cause lights around them to flicker on and off. Maybe you have an abnormally strong field that attracts lightning? You probably also have a guiness world record for getting hit by lightning…
I could never get over how ugly those Vibrams are. I will do a lot of things for the sake of minimalism and natural living, but those look like water shoes and I think of duck flippers whenever I see them…or scuba divers. NOT happening lol. Maybe these, though! I like how simple they are.
I know, right? I could wear them running, but I couldn’t bear to wear them anywhere else!
Let me know when you have a minimalist solution for heavy duty use! Like a work boot that can stand up to rain, knee high manure, sharps rocks, and chicken beaks!
Haha… hm. Sounds like a good business opportunity!
This is unrelated, but what type of natural treatment/remedy do you recommend for skin fungus?
You could try putting diluted tea tree oil on it, or virgin coconut oil. Internally, probiotics and maybe even a candida cleanse: https://thelovevitamin.com/ebooks-products/#candida
Thanks for the reply. Do you think applying castor oil would help too? Also, I have been drinking 2 cups of green smoothie and also 2 cups of bone broth daily for over a week now. Do you think my skin rashes/fungus is a sign of detoxification? It’s weird as my face is pretty clear already..And I have been getting watery stools. Is this a sign of drinking too much of either green smoothie or bone broth? Thanks! 🙂
Hi Jennifer, it sounds like a detox and your body adjusting. Not sure what the watery stools is about but keep an eye on that… if it doesn’t clear up soon, maybe something needs to be changed
Hi Tracy,
I am visiting from the Amazing Biz & Life Academy today. I also am taking the business goddess ecourse so I wanted to pop out and say hello! I have a pair of Vibram shoes. I love them. I am totally with you on the feet on the earth idea!
Thanks for dropping by from the Academy, Amy! 🙂 I’m glad you like the vibrams… sorry I insulted them! lol 😉
Hello everyone,
Does anyone know if these shoes are vegan? Thank you.
Not sure about that, I’d shoot them an email and find out
Hey! You are seriously cute sister 🙂 I am fascinated with these sandals…can you give a report on how “sturdy” they are as far as longevity goes…like do they seem like they may wear out quickly or last a long time? Thanks!
ps – where in the world do you live??
Thanks Sweets! Right now they seem pretty sturdy… can’t know for sure how long they’d last exactly, but they seem pretty durable as far as I can tell! I don’t see them wearing out for quite a few years. I live in coastal BC, Canada.
aww so much hate for vibrams!! i love mine!
anyway, these shoes looks awesome! i’m headed to check them out now.
Woo, thank you for the discount code!! Saved ten bucks 🙂
Sweet!! Enjoy your sandals! 😀
I just ordered a pair of those sandals, like you recommended, and they are coming soon! Thanks for the recommendation. I think I’m gonna love them!
Great, I hope you enjoy them! I’m still lovin mine 🙂
I just got them today and they fit perfectly. I will be getting a whole lot of use out of them. thanks again!
BTW, I was thinking
of convincing my school principal to allow students to go barefoot if they want to. How do you think I should approach this, if I should try this at all?
Ah… good question! I bet there is some official safety sanitary rule why it’s not allowed and therefore might be difficult to get the go ahead, but you never know till you ask!
I was curious on how to get this message across, either through petitions, or just making a presentation for the principal.