Sadly, many children today have never experienced the freedom of going barefoot and thus feel, first hand, some of the simple joys Mother Nature can offer.  Fortunately, I grew up in a period before safety experts discovered the financial and political value of influencing parential habits.  Today, it seems that nearly all toys pose a health risk, riding a bicycle with-out a helmet is actually illegal in many states, baby strollers now resemble mini humvee’s, and the news and media are continually bombarding parents with new discoveries that could have killed or injured us.  It is a wonder we survived at all!!

Some memories of my being barefoot were not fond.  Like everything else in life, there were learning, painful experiences such as stepping on Mr. Bumble Bee or some sharp object…Ouch!   These experiences convinced me to be careful but it did not lessen my desire and joy for going barefooted outside.  

As each school year ended, the true official start of summer was announced when my mother’s voice would say, “You can take off your shoes and go barefoot outside now.”  These words made by heart beat faster than hearing the bell ring when the ice cream truck was approaching since the pleasure offered by the ice cream truck rarely lasted more than 5 minutes but the joys of being barefoot lasted the entire summer.. 
With the summer months approaching (6/20/08) commit to letting the child inside you take control and go barefoot outside. If friends or family (or even strangers) are aghast and respond with negative comments or undeserving criticism while you are engaging in this “juvenile” activity, here are some scientific facts that will help prove that you really have not lost all of your marbles:

• Recent research by the California Institute of Human Sciences has concluded that by connecting to the earth it is possible to promote many positive health changes due to a discovery of a thin layer of free electrons on the earth’s surface.  Taking your shoes off and going barefoot outside connects our bodies to the earth and restores the natural electron balance within our bodies as well as connecting us to the earth rhythms that set many of our biological clocks Maybe this could slow down the aging process and save a lot of money on all those anti- aging products and plastic surgery procedures?  Maybe it will just promote better health so we can fully enjoy all the years we have on this earth.
• Many medical studies support claims that going barefoot is physically healthy and that footwear, in many cases, is detrimential to foot health. (see website below)
• Other medical benefits from direct contact with the earth that were discovered are as follows; Rapid reduction of pain and inflammation; relief from sleep disorders; and calming of a variety of stress-related health problems
• We are energy and electrical beings and our bodies are regulated by finely-tuned electrical fields. By insulating ourselves from the earth by man made structures, or shoes electrical imbalances may occur. It is by reconnecting ourselves to Mother Earth by simply going barefooted outside for a few minutes a day that we may heal and restore ourselves the natural way. There is a lot more to Mother Earth than the ongoing “Green Revolution” that has recently become a popular media topic
• Air, water, and food are essential elements for our survival. By exploration of our connection to Mother Earth we improving our awareness of the fragile balance that must be negotiated between people and nature.  Even the insignificant act of going barefooted outside helps keep us attuned in maintaining that balance

Now, that you have learned some of the benefits of going barefoot, you can offer a sane and logical explanation in the event that someone may question your behavior when removing your shoes and socks.  Their questions will likely bring a smile to your face.
This summer…. release your inner child by finding a grassy area and go barefoot. Free your feet of confining, hot, sweaty shoes. Open your feet to the air and sunshine.  Wiggle your toes and feel the various textures and temperatures of surfaces as you walk.  Close your eyes and feel the silky moist grass beneath your feet. Take several deep breaths during this process to release your stress and feel the variety of positive changes in your body. This is one of life’s most simple pleasures and is part of what it means to be human.
Summer is a relaxing, rejunivating season.  It is a time for vacations, gardening, numerous outside activities, and for going barefoot.  For additional information, there is a dedicated barefoot organization called the “Society for Barefoot Living” that you can find online at: www.barefooters.org.    Their motto is “Set your feet free and your mind will follow.”
Have a beautiful summer.  
Martha Copeland