Reconnect, Then Rinse Off: Why Walking Barefoot Outdoors is the Wellness Habit You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you’ve ever kicked off your shoes and stepped straight onto warm sand, soft grass, or sun-soaked rock - you know the feeling. There’s something unmistakably grounding about walking barefoot. And while it might sound like a hippie throwback, modern science is catching up to what we’ve instinctively known since childhood: walking barefoot outside is seriously good for you.

And I should know - I grew up doing it across half the globe.

From Aussie Backyards to Brunei Beaches: My Barefoot Story

I’m Bec Gil, founder of Beach Soul, and I spent my childhood running barefoot through the sunburnt streets of Australia in the '80s - climbing trees, riding bikes, laying in the grass, and making daisy chains with dusty toes. My teen years stretched across England, Brunei, Japan, and Hong Kong, and no matter where I lived, one thing never changed: if I could go barefoot, I would.

These days, any barefoot walk from the carpark to the beach - or back again - melts me into the moment. It's not just calming, it's like the day resets itself through my feet. And science backs it up.

So, What Is Grounding?

Grounding (or “earthing”) is the practice of making direct skin contact with the earth’s surface - like walking barefoot on soil, grass, sand, or rock. This seemingly simple habit has been linked to a surprising number of health benefits:

• 🌿 Reduced inflammation - Research in the Journal of Inflammation Research (2015) found grounding significantly reduced inflammation and improved immune response.

• 🧠 Lower stress + better mood - Studies show it helps regulate cortisol and boosts serotonin levels, improving sleep and reducing anxiety.

• ❤️ Better heart health - A pilot study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grounding improved blood viscosity, a key factor in cardiovascular disease.

“Our bodies evolved in direct contact with the earth’s surface. Modern life - with rubber shoes and concrete floors - has disconnected us. Grounding reconnects us to the planet’s natural charge.” - Dr. Gaétan Chevalier, Ph.D., researcher in bioengineering and grounding science

It’s Free, It’s Easy, It Feels Good - and It Works

Both my sister Michelle (a mum of three) and my brother Greg (a dad of four) swear by those barefoot moments - even in the chaos of daily life. “There’s something about taking off your shoes that tells your body it’s time to be,” Michelle says. “But after muddy soccer sidelines or a beach day with the kids, the car gets trashed unless we clean off,” adds Greg.

That’s where our very portable no-power-shower comes in. It’s the easiest way to rinse off the dirt .......while holding onto the joy.

Reconnect, then rinse off. That’s the Beach Soul way.

Why We Believe in Barefoot

At Beach Soul, we don’t just sell showers. We create moments that help people reconnect - to the outdoors, to family, to freedom. The science of grounding just gives us the proof behind the feeling.

Whether it’s a solo sunset walk on the sand or a post-adventure clean-up with the kids, getting barefoot outside brings us back to ourselves. And when you’re done, our no-power, portable showers let you rinse off the day and feel fresh again, wherever you are.

Ready to Feel It For Yourself?

Slip off your shoes. Step outside. Get grounded! Then explore our OG no-power portable shower trusted by 45,000+ outdoor lovers.

Reconnect to the earth. Rinse off the rest.

Shop Our Showers Here >