Yesterday I spoke with my neighbour over the garden fence. As we stood in our respective grassy patches exchanging pleasantries I couldn't help but be impressed by her upright posture and glowing complexion. This lady, I reminded myself, will be ninety in a few weeks. "You know," she remarked mid-way through the conversation, "walking barefoot is very good for you." I glanced downward and sure enough, two sets of tootsies looked back at me. She assured me that she went barefoot whenever it was feasible and had done since childhood. This, I decided, is worth investigating.

I've seen the footage of Woodstock. Not a sensible shoe in sight. For years it had me associating bare feet with liberated folk eschewing the restrictions of convention. Bare feet symbolise freedom and shoes equal shackles. Despite my octogenarian neighbour having lived (and, some say, revelled) in 60's California, I now suspect there is more to it than meets the eye.

The esteemed naturopath Alfred Vogel (1902-96) was an ardent supporter of walking barefoot. Note that he also lived into his nineties- we are definitely on to something here! Vogel recognised that as our bodies are made up of 60% water they conduct electricity very well. This means our feet, free from the insulation of rubber soles can easily absorb the earth's negative ionic charge. Negative ions are proven to detoxify, calm and reduce inflammation. They also help synchronise our internal clocks, hormonal cycles and physiological rhythms. Vogel also promoted walking barefoot as a relief from insomnia and mental illness. He proposed taking a morning stroll over dew-drenched grass so that the blood is drawn downward to the feet while energy is taken in from the earth. Added to this, plenty of feel-good endorphins are released in the process.

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Uneven ground under-foot strengthens feet muscles. It also offers a gentle message. There’s an old saying that barefoot walking improves the eyesight - could this be down to the stimulation of a particular reflexology point on the sole of the foot? Whatever the reason there are plenty of health benefits there to convince me to take a barefoot morning stroll around the garden. I will take advantage of every beach visit by getting sand between my toes and who knows, maybe one day when I’m a sprightly ninety year old, I’ll be passing on the same advice!

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