5. Try a Different Type of Shoe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen your feet are used to arch support provided by your shoes, they will take time to adjust to the new environment of no arch support when walking barefoot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One way to help you transition to less arch support is to get shoes that help with muscle development<\/strong>. These shoes usually have a wide toe box and less cushion<\/strong>. This allows your toes to work more and for your feet to start developing a bit more muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe thinner cushion means that more work needs to be done by your muscles, arch, and toes to walk and run. Like walking barefoot, you want to transition into wear these types of shoes slowly. Wear them once a week and then more often if your foot is adapting to it well.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After several months, your feet will have developed a bit more and this will aid your transition to walk barefoot.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n6. Set a schedule<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPractice, practice, practice. The more you practice each day, the stronger your feet will get. Just take it slow, but be consistent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you schedule your barefoot time, you will more likely achieve your goal of walking barefoot with more ease. Try walking barefoot for a set period each day<\/strong> and adjust the time when needed. A weekly schedule<\/strong> will help you determine your progress toward walking barefoot for longer periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA monthly schedule<\/strong> of walking barefoot might look something like this chart. Each person is different and they will need to adjust how much time they walk barefoot each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nTime to Walk:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
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1st Week – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 Minutes <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Start by walking barefoot for 5 minutes each day for 3+ days to see how your feet feel. You’ll be able to tell how long you need to <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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1st Month – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
10 Minutes <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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If your feet are doing well, try about 10 minutes of walking barefoot 3+ days a week for about a month. Give yourself days off to recover when needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2nd Month – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
30 Hour <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Try walking for up to 30 minutes on the second month of walking barefoot, if your feet are ready. Transition by adding more time little by little. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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3rd Month – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Hour <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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After two months of walking barefoot, you can possibly walk for longer periods. Your feet should have more strength and enough calluses to walk for up to an hour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Walking Barefoot<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMany people will find it uncomfortable if you are walking without shoes in public in America. Some countries find it very normal. In America, you may need to have shoes to enter a store because they “require it”, especially if it is a restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, there is no health code against going barefoot in public<\/strong> or in stores, so it should be legal in most places. You may not want to go into a public store or restaurant barefoot until you have gone barefoot for a while to ensure your feet are ready, but you can if you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSome people will judge, while others will feel uncomfortable, especially if you are barefoot in a restaurant. A middle-ground for those who want to go barefoot and not attract too much attention is to wear minimalist shoes<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese shoes are similar to walking barefoot, but provide a covering for your feet. When people see the dirty soles of someone’s feet, they automatically equate it with homelessness, poverty, uncleanliness, and uncertainty. You may have to be more social and friendly if you want to help break the ice when people stare at you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’ll also see some of the benefits of walking barefoot when your legs and feet are stronger. It can help with walking more balanced and improve your overall body mechanics. This can help some people who experience joint pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe list below shows some of the pros and cons of walking barefoot. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCan help with arch support<\/li> Better foot and leg mechanics<\/li> Can help with joints and alignment<\/li> Increased muscle strength<\/li> Increased tactile perception<\/li> Improved balance<\/li> May decrease stress levels<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nInjuries to foot – foot less protected<\/li> Infections could occur<\/li> People may judge you or feel uncomfortable around you<\/li> Injury may occur with weak foot muscles.<\/li> Your feet can get too hot or too cold<\/li> Your feet get dirty<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nHow Long Do I Walk Barefoot Before Running Barefoot?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nWalking barefoot can help you transition to running barefoot. If you are not used to running though, you should generally begin running with shoes first. Learning to run barefoot may be fine for short periods, but long-distance running places more demand on the body than undeveloped feet can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who have been wearing shoes, most of their life will likely need to wear shoes to start running. This will help them learn how to run properly with less likelihood of causing injury. Your foot needs to develop muscles and having some support from a shoe is important for beginning runners.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking and running are different in many ways. Although you may have been practicing walking barefoot for a couple of months, that doesn’t mean your feet are ready to run barefoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could go running for a couple of minutes<\/strong> barefoot to see what it is like, but your muscles are not accustomed to running yet and if you plan on running regularly, it’s best to use shoes first<\/strong> to decrease the likelihood of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLater, after maybe six months<\/strong> of walking barefoot and running with shoes, your feet might be ready for the transition to running barefoot. Although you would significantly reduce how long you run<\/strong> barefoot than you would normally run with a shoe, and then slowly increase your barefoot running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nWhat Can I do Today to Practice Walking Barefoot?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHopefully, you have some recreational areas to go to and enjoy the outdoors. Some of the places you may want to try are the park, the beach, and the lake. Be aware of any hazards in these areas, so you can keep your feet safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be prepared with bandages and cleaning supplies<\/strong>. You may also want to carry some soap, water, and a cloth to clean your foot in case you step in something messy. Having fun and being barefoot can give you an idea of how nice it is to be barefoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith some consistent time walking around barefoot each week in one of these places you may start to feel the changes and see some of the benefits of walking barefoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nGet Down to the Lake<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWalk around the dock and beach barefoot. Be aware of any hazards, but see how well you can walk on the sand, dirt, grass, and wooden planks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nGo to the Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe beach is great for walking long distances. You safely walk barefoot and see how your muscles are used if you walk for a while.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n