Establish a sensory connection to nature!

Make use of the sense of touch in the soles of your feet!
The feeling in the sole is almost as highly developed as that of the palm of the hand! Just like animals and plants, you will once again share the sensation of warmth and coldness, the roughness of a dry ground or the freshness of dewy grass.

On bare feet you relax and improve your body awareness:
Body awareness training is central to all relaxation techniques. We too often use our minds and do not feel sensations. Going barefoot in nature is so simply and easily done, and therefore will not be ranked among the relaxation doctrines. But it equals their benefits! What you feel with the feet is close to nature but far away from the brain. This counterbalance gets you in touch with your body and helps you overcome internal strains and stress.

Going barefoot protects the environment:
It preserves plants and the earth, does not make noise -- and without shoes we develop a vigorous environmental instinct:

• The eyes of a barefoot person keep contact with the ground, therefore the feet do not crush plants and animals.
   
• A natural reluctance against mud and thorns or the sharp edges of reed grasses teaches barefooters to respect sensitive biotopes.
   
• Barefoot hikers want to see what they step on; therefore they avoid cross-country marches, which might damage the environment. They rather stick to low grass, sandy ground and earthy ways through fields, forests and meadows.
   
• On gravel or in swampy areas barefooters tend to move very carefully, therefore they are no danger for hidden animals like birds breeding on the ground.
   
• Worn-out shoes are waste that cannot be recycled. So it is much better to minimize their use!
   
• For barefoot walking over longer distances, natural ground (i.e. lawn, earth or sand) feels much more pleasant than pavement, asphalt or concrete. After shoe soles had been invented as barriers between mankind and nature, there was no more obstacle to building up desert-like towns from aggressive and dead materials. Those who like to go barefoot, should stand up for the unsealing of the earth, at least around their homes, schools, playgrounds etc.!

The essence is: give liberty back to your feet!
The feet can perceive liberty very intensely. No doubt, in special situations the feet need to be protected, but this should not result in lifelong constraint! Being barefoot may well be part of an active lifestyle open to new experiences. Dare this liberty and regain a lot of well-being and self-confidence!

Going barefoot is so easy:

• You need not become a fakir. Keep your feet away from stubble-fields, sharp-edged reed grasses and stones as well as from extremes of temperature! With gradual conditioning, however, the feet can learn to adapt to various surface and weather conditions. Nevertheless, beware of insane ambition!
   
• Usually the ground is warmer than expected, for it collects solar warmth better than the air. Even on sunny days in early spring it feels pleasantly warm! On the other hand, the ground can be quite frosty in the early morning hours after a clear night.
   
• To start off, short outings on pleasant ground are just the right activity. Within a few weeks, the soles become tougher, the motion more harmonious and the sensation becomes wonderful! Soon the soles will have developed sufficient stability to walk on field and forest paths, and even to resist flat pieces of broken glass.
   
• Thickened skin may become rough due to a lack of natural abrasion. Therefore lotion or lanolin should be applied regularly to prevent skin cracks.
   
• When the sun stands high, the feet may need sunscreen.
   
• A well conditioned sole is unlikely to suffer injury, if you avoid stepping on thistles, reed grasses, thorny plants and flowers attracting bees (like clover). Broken glass does not exist in nature, but rather along streets and around sport facilities, barbecue places or bathing areas. Be more cautious, if your soles are not yet toughened, if you are allergic to insect stings or if you have not had a tetanus vaccination!
   
• On running, stronger forces act on the soles -- therefore the ground should be free of sharp stones and splinters. Be cautious during jogging in unknown areas!
   
• Some strips of adhesive or bandages should be in your pocket. Usually you will need them to treat the blisters of your shoed companions!
   
• If prescribed by safety instructions or in case of a substantial risk of injury, you better wear shoes. This is advisable for example when moving heavy loads, caring for horses, lawn-mowing, or in high mountain areas. But then shoes must be sturdy enough to ensure the expected safety!
   
• Where poisonous insects, animals, or plants are known to exist and may hide from you, barefoot hiking requires peculiar caution.
   
• Dirt is easily washed away, and this takes much less time than healing blisters due to poorly fitted shoes.