Grounding / Earthing – A Healing Power

There are so many articles and bits and bobs you can read, here there and everywhere about the “potential” effects that Earthing/Grounding can have on your overall health and wellbeing, but let me provide a full guide here on the practicalities and the motion. If you do a little search on Google for example, this is the description that it will provide you:

“Grounding, also known as earthing, is a practice where you make direct contact with the Earth's surface to connect with its natural electrical charge. This is often done by walking barefoot on grass, sand, or dirt, or by using a Grounding mat or bedding. The theory is that this connection can transfer electrons from the Earth into your body, potentially benefiting your health and well-being”

I love how passable Google makes it sound – “The theory” and “potentially” – so throughout this article, it is my mission to have you all in awe and wonder of the ABSOLUTE benefits to this glorious practice that through this text, I will be referring to as Grounding.

So let’s have a think about our modern world of synthetic shoes, massive concrete cities, and wireless everything, one of the most ancient and natural forms of wellness has been largely forgotten, and that my friends, is Grounding (also known as Earthing). This simple practice involves making direct contact with the Earth’s surface electrons and it’s showing remarkable results for improving health, reducing stress, and restoring balance in the body. I will refer to and provide links to a couple of these studies in this article, so please read on for a wealth of information and ultimately a guide to how Grounding can aid you on your path to wholeness. By the end you’ll want to run barefoot on that grass, I promise you!

Grounding

Grounding refers to direct skin contact with the Earth, typically through the feet, or through conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground into the body. This can include:

• Walking Barefoot on Grass, Sand, or Soil
• Lying on the Ground
• Swimming in Natural Bodies of Water
• Using Specially Designed Grounding Mats, Sheets, or Patches Indoors

At its core, Grounding is about re-establishing the electrical connection between your body and the Earth, something humans experienced constantly for most of history but have lost in the modern age of course.

The Science Behind Grounding

Everyone loves a bit of science, and I am no exception. The Earth carries a negative electric charge. Our bodies, in contrast, often build up positive charges due to:

• Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)
• Inflammation & Oxidative Stress
• Synthetic Materials (rubber soles, carpet, plastic)

Grounding helps discharge this excess positive charge, essentially neutralising free radicals through the influx of electrons from the Earth. This can have a balancing, anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

Some Key Scientific Findings:

Reduced Inflammation: A 2015 study in the Journal of Inflammation Research found that Grounding significantly reduces markers of inflammation and improves wound healing. See the link for this information here (it’s such a good read!).

Improved Sleep & Cortisol Rhythm: Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that sleeping grounded normalised cortisol patterns, promoting better sleep and reduced stress. You can see this study right here.

Pain Reduction: Participants in various studies reported significant improvements in chronic pain after consistent Grounding practices.

Thinner Blood & Improved Circulation: Grounding has been shown to reduce blood viscosity, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health.

The Health Benefits of Grounding

Right, so getting straight to it, I’ve touched on some bits already; Grounding has been shown to help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, calm the nervous system, and support balanced cortisol levels all by allowing the body to absorb the amazing Earth’s subtle electrical charge. So many people report feeling more centred, energised, and less stressed after regular Grounding (myself included), making it a beautiful and accessible tool in our modern world of options. Whether you're touching the earth with your feet, using a Grounding mat indoors, or simply lying on the grass (one of the best options!), this reconnection to nature may be one of the best healing practices available, and for the most part, it’s flipping FREE!

So at a short glance, here’s a list (of course) of what consistent Grounding can do for your body:

• Improve sleep Quality & Reduce Insomnia
• Lower Stress, Anxiety, & Depression
• Decrease Chronic Inflammation & Pain
• Improve Heart Rate Variability & Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
• Boost Energy & Reduce Fatigue
• Enhance Immune Function
• Support Mental Clarity & Focus

A Brief History of Grounding

The concept of drawing energy and health from the Earth is not new. Ancient cultures, including Native American, Chinese, and Ayurvedic traditions, have emphasised the importance of Earth connection for health and spiritual alignment for millennia.

In Ayurveda, walking barefoot on grass is called “Prithvi Pranayama” – breathing with the Earth, (how beautiful is that).

Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to Grounding through the Kidney 1 point (Yongquan), the first point on the sole of the foot, considered the most Grounding part of the body.

In our modern times, the concept was revived and popularised by Clint Ober, a retired cable TV executive, who noticed the similarities between Grounding in electrical systems and the human body. His 2000s research kickstarted a wave of studies and books, including “Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?” co-authored with cardiologist Stephen Sinatra. I highly recommend this book if you want to do a deeper dive into this fascinating subject.

How to Practice Grounding

Grounding doesn’t need to be complicated or too expensive, and the Earth is waiting for you all day, every day to recharge yourself, with her help... Let’s have a look at some simple ways to start:

Outdoors:

• Walk barefoot on grass, sand, or soil for at least 20–30 minutes a day
• Sit or lie down directly on the Earth (picnic-style, minus the blanket)
• Garden with your bare hands (liberating)
• Swim in oceans, lakes, or rivers (whilst being safe, of course)

Indoors:

• Use Grounding mats under your desk or bed (really helps when working on computers all day, every day!)
• Try Grounding sheets or pillowcases (mine have changed everything for me)
• Use patches connected to Grounding rods or outlets

Pro tip: Wet surfaces conduct better – so walking on damp grass or sand enhances the Grounding effect.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

Modern western society, no matter where we are, unless you live on top of a mountain, we’re bombarded by EMFs from phones, 5G towers, Wi-Fi, and electronics – we’re disconnected from nature by shoes, cars, and massive concrete buildings – we’re experiencing epidemic levels of stress, insomnia, inflammation, and chronic disease…

Grounding can offer a low to zero-cost, drug-free way to restore balance, reduce physiological stress, and reconnect with the very healing force we evolved with – the Earth herself.

Using Grounding Material

So of course, wouldn’t it be ideal to be able to take barefoot walks on the grass each day, however our modern lifestyles don’t always allow for daily contact with nature. That’s where tools like Grounding Sheets, mats, and bands come in, offering a convenient, effective way to stay connected to the Earth’s healing energy, even while indoors; genius! These innovative tools are designed with conductive materials that link to the ground port of a standard electrical outlet or a Grounding rod outside, allowing the natural flow of electrons from the Earth to reach your body, just as if you were walking barefoot on soil or sand, or lying on the ground.

Grounding sheets can be placed on your bed to support deeper, more restorative sleep, while Grounding mats under your feet at your desk or in your home or yoga space can help reduce fatigue, inflammation, and stress throughout the day. Many users (including myself) report feeling calmer, sleeping better, and noticing reduced aches and pains after consistent use. For those living in cities, working long hours indoors, or facing mobility challenges, these tools provide a powerful way to reconnect with nature’s rhythm and receive the many wellness benefits of Grounding without needing to step outside. In essence, they bring the Earth to you. I’m a massive supporter of these materials and I use mine every single day. I can honestly say that my daily stress levels have significantly been impacted with these simple to use materials. So if you do decide to give them a try, if you do decide to invest in your health in this way, I’d love for you to let me know how you’ve been impacted by them and what Grounding has done for you.

Grounding Affirmations for Daily Balance

I love an affirmation, so I thought I’d just end here with some simple, gentle affirmations for you to use as and when you feel like you need Grounding. It works even better when you speak these affirmations WHILST either walking barefoot on the ground, or meditating on a Grounding mat:

I am deeply connected to the Earth, and she supports me.

With every breath, I release what no longer serves me and return to my centre.

I am safe, I am stable, I am Grounded.

The energy of the Earth flows through me, bringing calm and clarity.

I root myself in the present moment and trust in life’s natural rhythm.

I stand strong like a tree, Grounded, resilient, and nourished from within.

As I connect with the Earth, I return to my true nature.

My body is in harmony with the natural world.

I am anchored in peace, balanced in body, mind, and spirit.

Wherever I am, I can ground myself with intention and breath.

Grounding really is simple, natural, and so damn powerful. It’s not a gimmick or new-age fad, it’s a biological necessity we’ve overlooked. With increasing scientific backing, the benefits of reconnecting with the Earth are too hard to ignore now. So whatever has brought you here, whether you’re seeking better sleep, reduced pain, more energy, and MANY more reasons, removing your little foot cages might just be the first step in the right direction.

“The Earth is the original anti-inflammatory.” – Clint Ober

“To ground is to pour your energies back into the earth and feel the warm calm of nature entering your body in exchange” – Anonymous

References:

• The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
• The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress