Take off your damn shoes

Be a hippie… kind of.

There are definitely some things The Fittest doesn’t see eye to eye with the hippies on, like, you know… drugs and stuff. But there’s one thing they absolutely got right and that is their unwavering lack of footwear. 

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Going shoeless was just something people did, pretty much everywhere on the planet for a very long time. Now? It’s so rare that we’ve given what was once the default practice a name. It seems absurd that we have to have a name for walking around barefoot, but we do:

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Grounding. 

Or earthing… but that sounds goofier, so we go with the former. 

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Since the beginning of time, we were connected to the earth with our bare feet or skin 24 hours a day. That connection meant that we got the benefit of absorbing the earth’s negative electrical energy. Since we’re bioelectrical beings, this served a really important role. 

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But… 

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Now we’ve got fancy concrete and tile floors, sidewalks, shoes with obscene quantities of cushioning strapped to our feet, and people go their whole lives hardly putting their bare feet on any natural surfaces. This means they’re missing out on incredible benefits:

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Anti-inflammatory

One of the primary benefits of grounding is its potential to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural response by the immune system to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to various health issues, including chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders. Research has shown that grounding can help reduce inflammation by neutralizing excessive positively charged electrons in the body through direct contact with the negatively charged Earth. This contact is believed to have an antioxidant effect, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

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Sleep

Grounding has also been found to improve sleep quality. In today's modern world, many people are exposed to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by electronic devices, which can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Studies have shown that grounding can help restore normal sleep patterns by regulating cortisol levels, reducing nighttime pain and discomfort, and improving overall sleep quality. Sleeping grounded has been reported to promote a deeper, more restful sleep, allowing individuals to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

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Cardiovascular health

Furthermore, that aforementioned positive charge we carry can lead to blood thickening, increased blood viscosity, and abnormal heart rate variability, which are associated with cardiovascular problems. By grounding, the excess positive charge can be neutralized, promoting improved blood flow, enhanced circulation, and better heart health.

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Pain relief

Grounding has shown potential for pain relief. Research suggests that grounding can help alleviate chronic pain, reduce muscle tension, and accelerate the healing process. It is believed that the direct contact with the Earth's surface facilitates the transfer of electrons into the body, which can help neutralize free radicals and reduce pain perception.

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Stress reduction

Grounding has a positive impact on stress reduction and emotional well-being. Stress has become a pervasive issue in modern society, leading to various physical and mental health problems. Grounding has been found to modulate the autonomic nervous system, shifting the body from a state of stress (sympathetic dominance) to a state of relaxation (parasympathetic dominance). This can result in reduced anxiety, improved mood, increased feelings of calmness and relaxation, and a greater overall sense of well-being.

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Just do it!

We’d tell you to email our performance experts for more information, but this one is as simple as it gets. Take your shoes off and go outside. 

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