Do you ever feel a little more relaxed after walking around barefoot on the grass or sand? That’s the idea behind earthing, also known as grounding. It’s a wellness practice that allows people to directly connect their bodies with the Earth and use its natural electric charges to stabilize them. This practice involves walking barefoot outdoors or using indoor grounding systems while sleeping or sitting.
Although earthing can positively impact the mind, this form of grounding differs from the practice used in mental health treatment. Earthing research suggests reduced pain, stress, and inflammation and improved overall mental well-being. This technique restores the connection between the body and the electrical currents of the earth.
While it might sound a little out there, many people swear it helps them reduce stress, tame inflammation, and improve sleep.
History of Earthing
Throughout history, Indigenous societies have espoused the Earth’s healing power benefits and described it in varying ways. For example, in Chinese medicine, the term Qi—pronounced “chee”—is defined as the vital energy that fills the universe.
Ancient philosopher Ge Hong said, “People reside within qi, and qi resides within people. From heaven and earth down to the ten thousand things, each one requires qi to live.”
This belief and study of the earth’s natural energies could also be found in Europe in the 19th century. In 1891 Louis Kuhne published “The New Science of Healing.” Then, Adolf Just wrote “Return to Nature” in 1896, which encouraged people to begin walking barefoot outdoors.
A few decades later, George Starr White,an American medical doctor, began investigating the use of sleeping while grounded—connected to copper wires affixed to home pipes—to improve the quality of sleep.
Modern scientists continue to advocate for Earth’s electrons’ ability to balance our body’s electrical current. This grounding technique continues to grow and get mainstream attention as people search for simple, inexpensive ways to heal themselves.
Should I Try It?
There are signs that an earthing practice will benefit your life. You may want to try earthing if:
Types of Earthing
Earthing techniques focus on reconnecting your energy with the earth through direct or indirect contact. These methods include:
- Walking outside barefoot
- Laying on the ground
- Going swimming or taking a bath
- Gardening
- Using grounding mats, blankets, patches, and socks
How to Practice Earthing
There are many ways to reconnect with the earth in your daily life and hopefully restore your body’s natural defense system.
Here are ways you can practice earthing:
- Take a walk: Find ways to connect your bare feet with the ground by walking on grass, across the sand or the mud. Pay attention to the feeling of the land beneath your feet, and be mindful of sharp objects as you go.
- Play in the dirt: Dig into the earth and get the soil between your fingers. You can create a garden in your yard or windowsill—if you’re in an apartment—and directly link to the energy in the dirt.
- Ground yourself indoors: When going outside is not an option, grounding mats come in handy by replacing the direct connection you’d get being barefoot outside. Grounding mats bring Earth’s electrical currents into the home or office by replicating the physical connectivity of a nature walk.
Earthing can be a free and relatively quick way to positively impact your physical and mental health. Experts suggest 30 minutes is enough time to begin reaping the benefits. Whether you connect yourself to a metal rod outside or purchase grounding socks, you can easily incorporate earthing therapy into your wellness routine.
What Are the Benefits?
New treatments will emerge as modern scientists continue tapping into ancient holistic practices. Research shows a promising connection between earthing and measurable improvements in these health issues.
May Improve Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Disorders
One study found that people who used grounding mats for four weeks decreased fatigue, sleep disruptions, and improved length of sleep. They also reported an improvement in their depression, stress, and pain.
May Boost Immunity
Some researchers believe that the Earth connects all living cells through a living matrix held together by electrical conductivity. This behaves similarly to antioxidants as an immune defense system that restores the body’s natural immunity by connecting to the matrix.
May Improve Heart Health
Some research also suggests that prolonged use of grounding techniques reduced blood pressure levels in those experiencing hypertension. Studies suggest that earthing can positively impact cardiovascular health through its ability to lower blood pressure and increase blood viscosity.
Tips for Earthing
If you want to give earthing a try, there are a few important things to remember. Earthing, like other forms of treatment, isn’t a quick fix. It requires patience and perseverance; however, the benefits are encouraging. Here are some tips once you decide to add earthing as part of your healing journey:
- Speak to a professional. If you’re new to the idea of earthing, you should find a guide to lead you. A growing earthing community can provide resources, connections, and best practices.
- Stick to a routine. Once you’ve got the ball rolling, go full steam ahead. The more you work on grounding yourself, the faster you’ll begin seeing improvements. Try to start your day with a grounding routine to get into the habit of doing it.
- Pay attention. However you choose to practice earthing, be observant of yourself and your surroundings. Stay in the moment.
More Studies Need to Be Done
Like with all therapy, chronic illnesses have underlying medical issues that need to be addressed by your doctor.
Modern research shows promising benefits of earthing, but it will take time to determine if these earth-derived electrons work as hard as scientists hope.
Earthing studies are under-researched and usually have fewer research subjects—sometimes 50 or fewer people. Also, scientists like Gaétan Chevalier, director of the Earthing Institute, have done studies that have not been consistently replicated. The lack of mainstream support and funding can slow down progress.
Takeaways
In addition to the possible positive effects it may have on physical and mental health, research has consistently shown that activities like spending time outdoors and mindfulness can positively impact psychological health. While it isn’t something that should be used alone to treat a condition, earthing can potentially be part of a self-care routine.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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