Can Walking Barefoot Heal Your Heart?

An odd-sounding idea has been linked to surprising results in recent research

Something beckons us to leave footware behind when a soft welcoming beach lays out before us. KieferPix/Shutterstock

Why do so many people equate relaxation and pleasure with walking barefoot along the beach as the waves roll in? How come my son River’s first instinct is to take his shoes off when he sees a field of green grass?