Summer is the perfect time for bare feet. Don’t you love curling your toes into some nice soft plants or sand or dipping them in water? I love being barefoot, but I “behave” much of the time by wearing shoes. When I can, though, I kick off those shoes and relax my feet on the ground. Which turns out to be a great habit for my health.

Information and studies show being connected to the ground benefits our health in a multitude of ways. Not “woo woo” stuff, actual science. When we place our feet on the ground (or in the water or in the sand), our bodies benefit. How?

• Being connected directly to the earth’s energy protects you from oxidation, which helps reduce problems stemming from inflammation. Electrons such as those found on the earth have natural anti-inflammatory effects.
• Scientists have found a significant difference in biological markers (the levels of cortisol, bilirubin, heart rate, white blood cells, etc.) between someone who is standing on the earth barefoot vs. someone in a rubber-soled shoe.
• Some people who got off a plane (or out of a car after a long trip) and made skin-to-skin contact with the earth noticed they escaped the effects of jet lag or the fatigue that comes on after a long trip.
• People have experienced quick relief from ordinary muscle aches, pains, respiratory problems, digestive issues and fatigue just from connecting to the ground.
• A marathon runner who developed a painful blister part way through the race recalled the great barefoot runners from Africa and decided to finish without shoes. Not only did he finish the race without pain, the blister was completely gone.
• Your immune system usually deteriorates as you age. This is generally believed to be caused by free radical damage. Connecting to the ground reduces this damage and is expected to increase life expectancy and improve health. Maintaining a “younger” immune system is a great way to preserve the quality of your health.

Remember — the above isn’t maybe/sorta/in-your-wildest-dreams stuff. It’s science. Standing barefoot on the ground (or otherwise connecting to the ground with any part of your skin) connects your body to the unlimited supply of free electrons that reside in and on the earth’s surface, helping to support the neutralizing of free radicals that research has shown cause pain, inflammation and autoimmune disease. It also connects you to the rhythmic cycles of the earth’s energy field, which help synchronize your biological clock, hormonal cycle and physiological rhythms.

Since your body is made up of mostly water and minerals, it does a great job conducting electricity — or electrons — as long as you are not insulated by being inside or having synthetic soles on your feet. With direct contact, the free electrons easily transfer to your body.

Of course, there now are products that help you allegedly gain that connection without leaving the comfort of your home. (If you’re interested, google “earthing.”) Okay, okay; that might be worthwhile, I don’t know. I haven’t checked those out enough to have formed an opinion either way.

But, I do know that simplifying our lives also helps our health so here’s a way to try out this effect simply: Go outside, take off your shoes and socks, and rest your sweet feet on the ground. Or dangle your toes in the ocean or lake. Or stroll along the sand. Or lie down on the sand and bury your toes and fingers in that nice warm sand and completely relax. How easy is that? Nothing to buy, no extra things to keep around.

It is suggested that doing this more often is that much more helpful (the reasons for the products), but you can get a start and see how you feel. At minimum, I bet you feel more relaxed and less stressed out. I bet your mind chatter slows. I bet you feel more at peace. That’s a benefit on its own. That’s worth it. At best, you may be improving and insuring your health … with no risk.

I guess this goes along with touching trees when you’re out that I wrote about previously. I’ve said it often: Nature heals. And now science agrees.

You have nothing to lose — the kind of health “prescription” I adore. Go out today — bare those feet and soak up, and let me know how it goes. (Point yourself over to me on social media – links to the right – or shoot me an email.) I know I’m going to be doing the same with complete abandon now. My feet like being bare? Smart feet!