You may have seen adverts for or heard of grounding or earthing mats and wonder what on ‘earth’ are they talking about.
I have always felt a connection to nature and been acutely aware of how relaxed, recharged and balanced I feel after spending time outdoors. There is something about the wisdom of nature, the interconnectedness of all the elements that inspires and overwhelms me.
I have read books like the Celestine Prophecy, Anastasia and The Alchemist that talk about the energy of nature, plants and the earth and can understand why many think of such ideas as fiction. However, there has been a growing body of scientific research on earthing or grounding that explains why we feel so great when we get our bare feet on the grass or spend a day at the beach. Why we as kids love burying ourselves in the sand feel so drawn to the sea.
Earthing is the practice of physically connecting to the earth’s surface by walking barefoot outside, sitting or lying on the ground, or using grounding devices indoors. The concept is based on the idea that the earth’s surface is electrically conductive and can supply us with a source of natural, subtle energy. Studies have shown that connecting with the earth’s energy can have a profound impact on our physical and mental wellbeing.
Why is earthing more valuable now more than ever?
In our modern, fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from nature. We spend most of our days indoors, surrounded by technology and artificial lighting. How exciting is it to know that we have a free source of healing available to us just outside our doorstep.
Many of my clients and family members suffer from inflammation, aches pains and disturbed sleep so I decided to research more into the research and evidence behind earthing to uncover whether it could be a valuable addition to their health routine. I hope you find it useful and would love to hear your thoughts and experience with Earthing / Grounding.
What are some of the health benefits of Earthing?
Reducing Inflammation
One of the key benefits of earthing is its ability to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural response to injury or illness, but chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of health problems. Research published in the Journal of Inflammation Research has found that earthing can significantly reduce inflammation and improve immune response. The study showed that earthing reduces the levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, such as C-reactive protein, which is associated with various chronic diseases.
Improved Sleep Quality
Earthing has also been shown to improve sleep quality. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that earthing can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythms, leading to improved sleep patterns. The study showed that participants who slept grounded reported falling asleep faster, waking up fewer times during the night, and feeling more rested in the morning compared to those who did not sleep grounded.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Another study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found that earthing can have a positive impact on the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. The study showed that earthing can help balance the autonomic nervous system, leading to reduced stress and anxiety levels.
The Theory Behind Grounding
There are several theories about how earthing works to provide these health benefits. One theory is that when we connect with the earth’s surface, we absorb electrons from the earth, which act as antioxidants in the body. These electrons help neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and lead to inflammation.
I loved this explanation by Clint Ober, expert on Grounding in his interview on the Minimalist Podcast ‘It’s very simple the earth has a negative charge that’s why we ground everything electrical to the earth in order to maintain electrical stability. The human body is the most electrical thing in our environment and it used to be naturally grounded to the earth before the 60s when we invented rubber soles shoes. But everything in the body needs to be grounded for electrical stability and primarily our immune system’.
How can you access the healing powers of earthing?
There are several ways you can incorporate earthing into your daily routine. One of the simplest ways is to walk barefoot outside on grass, sand, or soil.
There are also several tools you can use to help you earth, even if you don’t have access or can’t make time to get to an outdoor space. One popular option is a grounding mat, which is a mat that you can place on the floor or under your desk to provide a connection to the earth’s energy. There are also grounding sheets available that you can use on your bed to help you earth while you sleep.
Another option is to use grounding shoes, which have conductive soles that allow you to connect with the earth while you walk. These shoes are especially useful for people who live in urban areas or other environments where it’s not practical to walk barefoot outside.
If you do have access to outdoor space, one of the simplest ways to earth is to go barefoot. Walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil allows you to directly connect with the earth’s energy and reap the benefits of earthing.
Are you up for a 21 Day Earthing Challenge?
Regardless of the science, the ultimate test is to try it out for yourself. So, I am committing to a grounding challenge for 21 days and will journal the impact. Starting the day with a breathwork exercise and a coffee with my bare feet on the grass is something I often do but not as regularly as I would like. And ending my workday by lying on the grass and enjoying cuddles with the dogs, listening to the birds and watching the clouds. Starting off with 10 mins minimum each sitting with a goal to build up to 30.
I’ll also be at the park 15 mins earlier on Wednesdays so my Boxing Fitness Class can join me for a barefoot breathwork and stretch before we start the session.
From my research into the products I also want to try either the fitted sheets or underlay from UrbanHippee.com.au.
Want to learn more?
This video How Quickly Does Grounding Affect Your Body by Laura Koniver, M D The Intuition Physician talks through in detail the benefits of grounding from a medical perspective.
If you want to dive deeper into the research and look at the results of studies this is a great place to start is BetterEarthing. They have summarised the studies so its easier to understand and also link out to the full article/ report.
I highly recommend The Earthing Movie as a great introduction with real life stories and interviews
You have to admit, the scientific research supporting the health benefits of earthing is compelling. By connecting with the earth’s energy, you can reduce inflammation, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress and anxiety. Whether you choose to go barefoot outside or use grounding tools indoors, incorporating earthing into your daily routine can help you feel more balanced, grounded, and connected to the natural world around you.
So what do you have to lose? Kick off your shoes and go for a walk in the grass.
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