#weekendvibes: SANDY TOES š
A VISUAL INTERPRETATION OF A WHOLE WEEK OF EMOTIONS AND THOUGHTS, POURED ALL TOGETHER.
There is an emerging science that claims walking barefoot onĀ our electron-enrichedĀ earth (especially when humid or wet), will increaseĀ an individualsĀ balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and possibly decrease inflammation.
The theory behind grounding, also known as earthing, is that electrical energy from the earth can be absorbed through your feet when you walk barefoot and lead to a multitude of health benefits.
Electrical conductivity exists within the matrix that functions as an immune system defense, similar to antioxidants. They believe that through grounding, the natural defenses of the body can be restored.
The instability that occurs when someone is sand walking creates an environment that is especially helpful to re-educate and stimulate more neuromuscular activity in the lower extremities. This is extremely important for people who have previously suffered injuries.
An injury or pain in any body part can negatively affect the neuromuscular activity, reducing the response within the muscle.Ā This response of the muscle to the nerve is referred to proprioception. The muscles respond reflexively and it is not a cognitive process.Ā The foot and ankle complex are very susceptible to this phenomenon and can be treated with sand walking.
Sand walking is beneficial due to the added stress and strain that is placed on the muscles, tendons and joints.Ā The foot āsinksā into the sand and this requires the muscles to work harder to propel you forward for the next step.Ā The soft sand is unstable which requires more neurological input to the foot and ankle complex. This instability helps to strengthen the ankle and foot muscles and enables the lower extremity to be able to move you forward.Ā The entire lower extremity is forced to āworkā harder on an unstable surface and it can enhance the strength throughout the leg.
Stress can be extremely harmful to almost every bodily system that exists and if it is too high for too long the effects can cause permanent damage.Ā Reducing stress can make oneās life much more enjoyable and healthy. The sound of the waves lapping the shore, seagulls calling, the sunshine gently kissing your face, the smell of the ocean... Many people find walking on the beachĀ to be quite relaxing, restorative and good for their overall mood.
Why it feels so good to walk on sand?
It's because there are somewhere between 3,000 and 7,000 nerve endings in each foot that awaken when you walk across those tiny grains. Wet sand acts as a natural exfoliant and peels off dead skin cells from your feet (and really, anywhere else on your body), leaving them renewed and much softer. Your skin sheds about 50,000 skin cells every minute and sometimes they stay attached to your body. Exfoliation keeps the skin clean, healthy and rejuvenated.
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