There's an old African proverb that states, "When you leave your shoes at the doorstep, you leave your troubles behind." A group of environmental chemists who study what kinds of contaminants people are exposed to in their own homes claim: wearing your outside shoes inside won't just mess up your carpet; it is, in fact, scientifically wrong.
Shoes worn outside can be media for all kinds of dirt and microbes. According to the experts, about one-third of the matter building up inside your home comes from outside, much of it being tracked in on the soles of our shoes. But not all dirt is bad dirt. Some household germs can actually be useful in helping build up a child's immune system, for example. But the real issue is that some of the disease-causing organisms found on our shoes and floors are drug-resistant, causing illnesses that are difficult to treat. "Cancer-causing toxins can be found on these shoes," scientists say, "so it is best to leave your filth outside the door."
Every day we carry much dirt with us on the soles of our shoes-mud. For many households, the pandemic has greatly reduced the number of places we go to. But even at that, all it takes is one walk down the street or a few minutes at the park to make you bring something nasty back home.
It's important to note that not wearing shoes inside is more than just a hygiene thing. In many cultures around the world, leaving your shoes at the door is a sign of respect, a nod to superstition and it may even be in service of good health. Reflexologists (反射治疗师) say that walking around barefoot can help boost your circulation, improve your sleep quality and stimulate the reflexes on the soles of your feet, reducing inflammation, pain and tension.
