Costa Rica is well known for its beautiful beaches but did you know that walking regularly on those beaches will help you live longer? Recent research is showing that walking barefoot over natural surfaces may actually extend your life.

Our feet were not designed to be encased in shoes. Their design allows them to mold to and adjust to uneven surfaces, gripping the earth to steady us as we walk.

When you were a child you probably went barefoot most of the summer, enjoying the fresh air and the feel of grass beneath your feet. These days there is a name for going barefoot–it’s now called “grounding” or “Earthing”.

There is research being done on the benefits of grounding and it’s beginning to show that we can actually absorb energy through our feet in the form of electrons contained in the Earth.

This natural positive energy can influence our organs, circulatory system, and our skin. The energy helps to regulate the body’s biological clock and the diurnal body rhythms as well as affecting cortisol secretion and other functions.

Studies have found that Earthing improves energy levels, steadies the heart rate, reduces stress and helps relieve joint pain among other things. Getting back to nature is more than a buzz phrase–it’s healthier than we previously thought.

Fitting a walk on the beach into your daily schedule is healthy for a number of reasons. Your feet will be exposed to fresh air and sunlight and dead skin cells will be sloughed away naturally by the grains of sand.

It is almost impossible for fungus and bacteria to thrive on bare feet, especially when sand wears away any bacteria clinging to your skin. Splash through the salt water a few times during your daily walk and you can almost be guaranteed healthy, glowing skin on those feet.

Walking on the beach is good for your entire body. The uneven surfaces and shifting sand will make muscles in your entire body work and in a short while they will be strengthened and toned in a way you haven’t experienced since those barefoot summer days of your childhood.

You will notice your stamina increasing day by day even if your first few walks are short ones.

Your attitude will also improve as you walk the beach. You will find yourself relaxing and noticing things like tiny crabs near the rocks, sea birds wheeling overhead and the lovely shells that wash up onto the sand. A walk on the beach is a feast for all the senses and food for the soul.

If you have a condition like fallen arches or flat feet that make it painful to walk, take off your shoes and sit on the sand with your feet flat on it.

Feel the warmth of the sand and concentrate of the tiny grains touching the sensitive soles of your feet.

Let the energy of the earth enter your body and invigorate you while you enjoy the warm rays of the sun. Regular walks on the beaches of beautiful Costa Rica may not only extend your life, it will heighten your enjoyment of every day.

Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 3. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raices en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.