Going barefoot is good for you, according to what a Kiwi tour guide (the indigenous people of New Zealand) says, while introducing the participants on the trip to get closer to the land.
Walking barefoot is a habit among Kiwis that international tourists cannot understand. And it’s an experience they can’t get enough of, says one Auckland tour guide.
There is a question that dominates New Zealand tourism forums: Why do some New Zealanders walk barefoot in the street?
This is good news for tour guide Louis Hahn, who teaches visitors to embrace the feeling of black sand between their toes, according to the NZ Herald website.
“This is something we grew up with in New Zealand,” Hahn says.
He takes small groups on guided tours in West Oakland, and says it’s mostly international tourists from big cities who sign up for the experience.
While shoes are optional, the best way to enjoy beaches and coastal trails is without the distraction of shoes. This is something Hahn encourages his guests to do for at least part of the hiking trip.
Han says “We accumulate an energy imbalance as we are disconnected from the Earth. We spend much of our lives disconnected from the Earth, from shoes to car tires to carpets.”
The question here is: Is walking barefoot useful?
A 2018 study of 714 New Zealand schoolchildren suggested there could be health benefits to walking barefoot.
It is believed from an “evolutionary perspective” that being habitually barefoot can aid motor performance later in life.
The study, published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, also indicated that Kiwis have a unique relationship with shoes. “It appears that it is still socially acceptable to engage in barefoot activities.”
Hahn says walking barefoot for half an hour can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and support a more natural stride.
He adds, “Research shows that being close to the ground, even for 30 minutes, will create positive internal changes and benefits, especially for your blood, energy, and mood.”
