There is no doubt about it. Ticklish feet makes us laugh. This may seem like a good thing but having ticklish feet, especially when barefoot, often causes us to laugh uncontrollably making us a victim to the bully tickler. You may even squirm and giggle when someone gives you a pedicure or foot massage because of your ticklish feet. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to control your ticklish feet. This is because ‘being tickled’ is the body’s natural way of defending itself.

The main reason why we laugh when our feet are being tickled is because your body thinks it is being attacked. If you have ever tried to tickle yourself before, you probably realized that it is hard to do. This is because your body knows exactly what your next move is. After all, it is your brain. You cannot trick or deceive your brain. It knows exactly where you plan to tickle yourself. If someone else tries to tickle you, it sends your brain mixed signals. Your brain recognizes the attacker as harmless, but does not know what the attacker’s next move will be. It is a surprise attack!

What makes ticklish feet a defense mechanism?

Being tickled is a way for humans to protect themselves from bugs and insects. Imagine how you feel when you think a bug is on you. You imagine the insect crawling on your skin, which gives you the “creepy crawling” feeling. This “creepy crawling” feeling is better known as a tickling sensation. When an insect tickles your feet, arm or any other part of your body, your body tells you to jump! Something is on you and your body is trying to warn you. The same thing happens when a friend or partner tickles you. That tickle feeling is a warning that something is touching you.

Why do ticklish feet cause us to laugh?

The explanation is simple. Having ticklish feet causes us to laugh because it is in fact a panic response. If a bug was on you, your natural instinct would be to panic. What would happen if someone you did not know came up and tickled you? You would experience a great deal of alarm and also fear. When you recognize the attacker, you are more comfortable and you will laugh harder. Tickling is a form of social play. Although ticklish feet may have you at someone else’s mercy, it can still be an enjoyable experience. Not everyone has ticklish feet, but most of us are ticklish somewhere. The only thing you can do to avoid ticklish feet is hide!

 Image courtesy of fredaldous.co.uk

Related articles:
Putting Your Best Foot Forward: The Lost Art of Grape Stomping
Sandy Beaches Soften Feet

 

 

 

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

For many of us, wearing shoes is a way of life. However, there are others who choose to be barefoot more often than not. In fact, some choose to do mostly everything barefoot, including walking, running and going to the store. This may be too extreme for some, but being barefoot more often has its benefits and its risks.

Benefits of Going Barefoot                                                                   

-It is a great way to show off your beautiful bare feet or a pedicure. Let’s face it. We all love to be complimented. Going barefoot is one way to make sure your pedicure efforts do not go to waste.

-There is no warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow, which means developing a foot fungus and nail infection is less likely.

-There are fewer chances of foot deformity, which often develop from shoes that do not fit comfortably. Think about how appropriate shoes are for our feet. They are often too tight and the front of the shoe is very narrow causing feet to be cramped. For women especially, shoes often have a pointed toe and a high heel, which is not conducive to the natural structure of our feet.

-Experience greater flexibility and agility in the feet. This pertains to the feet but it also affects the thighs and hips as well. This means that bending down to touch your toes is less of a challenge. In addition to that, lazy muscles get a workout. The result is stronger muscles that improve your walking stance and running form. Equilibrium also improves.

-It helps prevent varicose veins. Since your feet are not confined to shoes, there is more motion as you walk. This increase in motion helps leg muscles pump blood to the heart resulting in fewer varicose veins.

-It’s relaxing. From a spiritual standpoint, going barefoot can be extremely calming and satisfying. Imagine walking along the beach in a pair of shoes. The experience would not be nearly as satisfying. Yoga is another example of an activity that is best practiced barefoot.

 Risks of Going Barefoot

-If walking outside, your feet are not protected from weather conditions or debris on the ground. Even if you love being barefoot, it is doubtful that you will ditch your shoes to walk through snow. Walking through grass is a more ideal situation, but walking on roads and dirt paths make your feet subject to glass, rubble, and rocks, which will cause bruises, scrapes and splinters. These cuts can lead to infection.

-Your feet may become dry because they are exposed to natural elements without being protected. Lotion your feet and wear cotton socks in order to retain moisture.

-You will have to clean your feet more often because they will become dirty faster.

-Being barefoot all of the time is not recommended for people with foot conditions, such as Diabetes, or poor foot circulation.

Image courtesy of soasoas.com

Twitter This

Usuario: Password: