Kate Hudson, Anthony Anderson and More Celebrities Walk Barefoot Outside—Are There Any Health Benefits?

My job is to cover the latest food and health news and interview top names in the industry. One of my most curious questions is asking people about their morning routines – it's nice to hear how someone starts their day, what rituals they follow and what habits help them start off on the right foot.

I've noticed a theme: There's a new “health trend” outside of the typical ice baths and lemon water. It's about running without shoes first thing in the morning.

“My morning ritual now involves walking around my yard barefoot and grounding myself as soon as I wake up,” Anthony Anderson said in my interview with him in November. I thought this was a surprising isolated incident until I asked Kate Hudson the same question a few months later and received a similar answer.

“About an hour after waking up, I drink coffee or tea, walk outside barefoot and look at the sun. This is one of my new favorite things to do before my kids wake up,” Hudson told EatingWell.

I'm sensing a trend and it seems like more and more celebrities are swearing by a day without shoes: Cate Blanchett, Jacob Elordi, Shawn Mendes, Chris Pine and most recently Kacey Musgraves are going barefoot – even in public. And of course TikTok recognized this.

So what is there? Can running barefoot actually help your mental health – and are there any other physical health benefits we should know about? Here you will find answers to all these questions and what you should consider before taking off your sneakers and socks.

Are there health benefits to walking barefoot outside?

Walking barefoot outdoors is commonly referred to as “grounding” or “grounding” due to the body's physical contact with the earth. There is evidence that grounding may have some benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research that examined 20 case studies concluded that direct contact with the earth can help reduce inflammation caused by injuries. Another small 2012 study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health concluded that walking barefoot could help reduce inflammation, reduce stress and even reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is supposedly due to a “transfer of Earth's electrons from the ground into the body,” but it is merely a theory supported by the authors of both studies.

While the concept of “grounding” through barefoot walking sounds promising, the research is extremely limited. Walking in general (shoes or no shoes) has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving effects and can help lower blood pressure. So you can also enjoy these benefits with the support of sneakers. Not to mention, walking barefoot in public places significantly increases your risk of injury if you step on something dangerous. Therefore, it may be best to curb this practice on your own property.

The conclusion

The celebrity trend of running barefoot seems to be more of a comfort preference than a health trend with many proven benefits. Walking itself is a great activity for your overall health and you can do it with sneakers. However, as long as you don't have chronic pain in your feet or need the support of a walking boot, there's no real harm in walking barefoot for a limited amount of time, especially in your own backyard. Just watch yourself get up and wash yourself afterwards. Also, talk to your doctor if you have any questions before adding shoeless walks to your routine.