Barefoot in the Park

For the last ten years or so there's been a movement called Barefoot Walking which basically, just as the name implies, means allowing your bare feet to walk or jog on the earth instead of locking them away in shoes and pounding them against concrete, only to expose them to the light of day when they're once again shut away indoors.  The theory behind this is that your feet have muscles which are weakened by shoes and senses that are inhibited.  Proponents of this movement feel that we're doing more damage to our bodies in the long term by not allowing feet to do what they do.*  

If you're a book lover like me you may have read some Greek mythology at some point along the way and if you did you may remember the story of Antaeus. If you're not familiar with that story I can sum it up for you.  Antaeus was a giant and a demi-god, the son of Poseidon and Gaia.  Gaia was the goddess of the earth and Antaeus' power came from Gaia so that as long as his feet were touching the earth, he could not be defeated.  

It was Heracles who discovered his weakness during his famous 12 labors and while engaged in a fight he managed to lift Antaeus off the ground thereby weakening him and so he was able to overpower him.  Borden Deal made reference to this Greek god in his short story of the same name, Antaeus.  It's a wonderful  read if you get the chance and if you do intend to read it, please skip to the next paragraph to avoid any spoilers................still with me?  Don't say I didn't warn you.  

In Deal's Antaeus, an Alabama country boy is transported to the big city by his parents and has a difficult time adjusting.  In order to cope with this world, he begins building a rooftop garden on an abandoned building.  Eventually caught by authorities who promptly destroy this garden the devastated boy can no longer live surrounded by steel and glass and is picked up by the police hitching his way back the country.  I've always felt a certain empathy for Antaeus (the modern day counter part, not so much for the demi-god) for it seems no matter where I go in this big, beautiful world, I can only stand so much of tall buildings and car exhaust and horns honking, music blaring.  I can only stand just so long to be away from the grass and the trees and the sounds of nature before I feel like I'll go mad if I can't be in it.  

I cannot vouch for the facts in the studies behind the barefoot movement, I only know that there is something so soothing about peeling off hot shoes and curling my toes against the cool green grass and dark earth.  I feel the tight muscles around my temples causing a headache begin to let go as I find the shade of an old oak tree to sit beneath.  This is a time for meditation and deep breathing.  To pray.  To reflect.  To forget what I should forget.  To forgive what I should forgive.  It changes my entire state of mind.

  

 If you're interested in having your own barefoot in the park experience, here are a few tips.

Bring shoes.  If nothing else, getting to and from that cool soft earth will likely involve a pavement parking lot or sidewalks, and should your feet start to get a little sore, it's nice to have an option to stop.  I like to carry something light like foam sandals.

Start Slowly.  Remember your feet are going to be very tender if you don't spend much time without shoes.Limit yourself to 10-15 minutes of actual walking around to avoid sore feet.

Choose a Soft Spot.  Find a park or field with nice soft grass, free of brambles and stones if possible.  Avoid concrete, especially in the summer when temperatures can get so high that it can actually burn your skin.  Although such an experience will definitely make you more sensitive to the needs of your dog when it's walkies time in late August.  

Wear something comfortable.  I don't own a lot of casual clothes, but I loved my last lounge wear set from FemmeLuxe and thisGrey High Neck Cropped Loungewear Set in Ella looked so soft and comfy that I was so excited when the lovely people at FemmeLuxe sent it over for me to try.  

Perfect for these cool mornings and I can't wait to wear it this fall and winter while snuggled up under my quilt, hair spilling out of a messy bun while I write my blog posts.  But, I have no intention of saving any of my loungewear sets til then.  This Ella set in particular is like a little vacation for my mind and body. 

Shopping Info:Grey High Neck Cropped Loungewear Set in Ella from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk

Source info from:  https://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/a20439811/barefoot-walking-how-to-do-it-safely-without-injury/