Do you remember those summer nights when you’d be running in the yard past dusk, feeling the earth beneath your bare feet as you squatted down to scoop fireflies off blades of grass? If you grew up in a city or just never experienced this before, picture it for a moment. Picture yourself as a child: unburdened by what’s to come, unbothered by the dirt between your toes. You breath in the warm night air of summer and beg for five more minutes outside before your mom calls you back inside.

We need to stop thinking of playing outside as a childhood activity. Time spent with nature is a lifelong resource we should embrace and cherish. There are studies that show time spent outdoors, whether shoe-clad or not, can be incredibly beneficial to both physical and mental health.

I saw a tweet recently that said “Seasonal depression seems fake until it’s randomly 50 degrees in March and you feel like you took a party drug.” (source: @thisisminenowk on Twitter). I can’t speak for everyone, but I know I never feel quite myself during the winter, and those faux-Spring days we get in New Jersey in February and March, a tease of what’s to come, can feel like a weight is being lifted. Not everyone is affected by seasonal depression, and more power to those people, but for those of us who are afflicted in any capacity, spending time outside can be beneficial. I wouldn’t recommend going barefoot with snow on the ground, but even if you’re bundled up, the sunshine on your face and some fresh air can increase the oxygen levels in your brain and, in turn, boost levels of serotonin (happiness hormones).

There are several theories as to why being in nature improves mental health. One hypothesis links our connection back to our ancient ancestors who relied on the earth to survive. Another hypothesis states that elements in nature trigger a physiological response that reduces stress hormones. A third posits that nature can replenish cognitive function and help concentration. And the fourth (last one I’ll talk about, I promise) is the emotion of awe. The idea that we are apart of something bigger than ourselves and that insignificance can take some of the pressure and stress we feel in the day to day. (source: APA.org)

This last one I can personally attest to. I never feel more stress-free than when I’m on top of a mountain looking out for hundreds of miles. If you’re willing and able, I would highly recommend hiking as a mental and physical health practice.

Now you’re outside, embracing all the benefits nature has to offer. You’re breathing in that crisp, fresh air, it’s time to get your body moving! Whether you’re barefoot or not, walking (running, hiking skipping, yoga, hula-hooping) boosts endorphins (more happiness hormones – yay!) Physically, it’s good for the cardiovascular system (prevents heart disease), strengthens muscles, and can regulate the digestive system.

Now, I’m going to get a little hippy-dippy. I am a yogi, after all. There are seven energy centers in the body called “chakras”. When you’re in total mind-body-spirit alignment, your energy flows freely. But it’s safe to say it’s very rare that your flow of energy is unblocked all of the time. There are different excesses and deficiencies that can block the chakras and cause physical and mental issues. For today, I’ll just go over the root chakra or Mūlādhāra Chakra. It is located at the base of the spine and is the charka that links the physical body (external) with the spiritual body (internal). It’s main focus is physical needs — food, water, shelter — as well as things like self-esteem, integrity, and sense of belonging.(source)

So, if you’re feeling insecure, low energy, or restless, your root chakra may be unbalanced. It can manifest as anxiety, depression, apathy, and lack of zeal for life. For these ailments, connecting to the earth may be beneficial to rebalance the mūlādhāra. So while by itself it seems a bit trivial to say, “you have depression, go walk barefoot, you’ll feel better”, it is be one tactic that can curb those feelings. Not to mention doing something with the intention of making yourself feel better is you telling yourself you deserve to feel good, which is a big accomplishment.

But, whether you’re feeling great or you’re feeling low, there’s so much benefit to getting some fresh air and exercise. So when the weather peaks warm enough, and the sun is shining, kick off your shoes and run in the grass for the firefly-catching little kid that’s hiding down deep.