Healthy feet '“ healthy mind

The answer to dealing with the stress of our busy lives could be to go barefoot according to Otley based eco-therapist Hayley Gillard.

Hayley, who is the founder of Wild Goose retreat in Otley Chevin, is encouraging stressed out men and women to throw off their shoes and socks and head for the great outdoors as part of her Barefoot Club.

“Most of us have gone barefoot on the beach or in the garden and all of us probably spent a lot of our childhood barefoot. But, as adults we often see it as a bit ‘woo woo’ or even dangerous,” said Hayley.

“I love shoes and I’m not advocating removing shoes from your life completely, what I am proposing is that more people spend more quality time baring their soles.”

The Barefoot Club and Laughter Yoga workshops, are among the activities offered at Hayley’s wellbeing retreat set in the woodland of Otley Chevin which focuses on mental health.

“Nature is good for you,” Hayley explained. “We believe it has the power to help you relax, de-stress and feel better. We understand that looking after your mind is essential and so we promote positive well-being and mental health for everyone.”

Hayley said Wild Goose was passionate about breaking down the stigma attached to mental health and the retreat is run as a social enterprise. The money made from retreats and workshops is reinvested in providing free referral sessions for people with mental health problems across Leeds, Harrogate, Bradford, Wetherby and York.

There has been a marked rise in the number of barefoot clubs springing up across the country in recent years. In 2000 Alexander Technique teacher, John Woodward, launched barefoot running courses in the Lake District and in 2006 the UK’s first outdoor ‘barfuss’ (German for barefoot) trail opened in Nottinghamshire.

As well as being good for our feet physically, Hayley said going barefoot can also help with our sense of freedom.

“Our feet weren’t made for shoes, they are prodded and pushed in ways they don’t want to go,” she said.

“There are a lot of acupressure points on your feet which are linked to anxiety, stress and mental wellbeing, walking on your bare soles stimulates all of these and we become much more aware of the earth beneath us.

“Going barefoot is so good for your body, mind and soul I can’t think of any reasons why not to do it.”

Find out more at www.wildgoosecic.co.uk