How grounding can connect you back to the earth to benefit your health and overall life
We, as a society, are not as connected to the physical earth as our ancestors were. We spend much more time inside, and when we are outside, it is most often while wearing shoes. The question then becomes, are there implications of our disconnection to the earth?
It turns out the answer is yes. There are a variety of studies that demonstrate the benefits of spending time outside, or more specifically, grounding [1].
So what exactly is grounding?
What Is Grounding?
Grounding (or earthing) means that your body is directly in contact with the earth [1]. For example, walking barefoot in dirt or sand, touching a tree, swimming in natural waters, and so on [2].
"Earthing is a simple, profound lifestyle addition, requiring no effort or dieting" - Menigoz et al.
How Does Grounding Work?
Both the earth and humans have electrical charges. In humans, this energy comes from ions and is used throughout our nervous system to send signals. This energy makes it possible for us to function [3].
When you physically connect with or touch the earth, the earth transfers its free electrons to your body [1]. These free electrons help neutralize free radicals in your body [4]. Free radicals are positively charged ions created constantly from the biochemical processes occurring in your body. A buildup of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, which plays a role in several illnesses and diseases [5].
In short, when you physically touch the earth, it transfers negative ions to neutralize the free radicals in your body, decreasing the potential buildup of oxidative stress. There are also other ways to reduce oxidative stress in the body.
What Are The Benefits of Grounding?
Grounding can...
Improve the immune system [6]
Activate the parasympathetic nervous system [9]
Help manage anxiety and depression [7, 8]
Reduce muscular damage and pain [8, 9, 10]
Reduce inflammation [4]
Normalize daily cortisol rhythms [9]: This has many other health implications, such as helping regulate sleep and circadian rhythms [8].
Decrease muscle soreness [4]
Improve mood [8]
Decrease fatigue [8]
How To Ground?
Grounding is a simple yet under-utilized healing strategy. There are many ways to practice grounding by making simple switches in your life.
For example, instead of putting on shoes, clean your yard barefoot. When gardening, do it without gloves or barefoot. When stretching, balance yourself by placing your hand on a tree. When at the beach, walk barefoot or lay on the sand without a towel, even if it's just for a few minutes. When by water, dip your feet in or go for a swim. I feel the most benefits while grounding when I make an intentional effort to relax and breathe.
“Earthing is as simple as routinely walking barefoot outdoors and/or using inexpensive grounding systems indoors while sleeping or sitting, practices that restore a lost and needed electric connection with the Earth”- Menigoz et al.
Grounding Indoors
There are ways to ground indoors through conductive sheets, mats, ankle and wrist bands, or patches. According to Oschman et al., "these applications are connected to the Earth via a cord inserted into a grounded wall outlet or attached to a ground rod placed in the soil outside below a window" [9]. These items can be found on Amazon.
Personally, the natural, outdoor form of grounding is more beneficial. When grounding outside, you experience all the additional benefits of being in nature, such as hearing the birds chirp or feeling the sun on your skin. However, these systems are a great alternative, especially for those who live in an environment where it is hard to get outside.
I feel more relaxed after I ground. Consider why you might feel more relaxed at a vacation on the beach than you would on vacation in a bustling city.
References:
1
Menigoz, W., Latz, T. T., Ely, R. A., Kamei, C., Melvin, G., & Sinatra, D. (2020). Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 16(3), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005
2
Lockett, E. (2023, March, 27). Grounding: exploring earthing science and the benefits behind it. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding
3
Plante, A. (2016, February). How the human body uses electricity. University of maryland graduate school. https://www.graduate.umaryland.edu/gsa/gazette/February-2016/How-the-human-body-uses-electricity/#:~:text=Our%20cells%20are%20specialized%20to,to%20move%2C%20think%20and%20feel
4
Oschman, J.L. (2008). Perspective: assume a spherical cow: the role of free or mobile electrons in bodywork, energetic and movement therapies. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 12 1, 40-57 .
5
Pham-Huy, L. A., He, H., & Pham-Huy, C. (2008). Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. International journal of biomedical science : IJBS, 4(2), 89–96.
6
Brown, D., Chevalier, G., & Hill, M. (2010). Pilot study on the effect of grounding on delayed-onset muscle soreness. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 16(3), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0399
7
Chevalier G. (2015). The effect of grounding the human body on mood. Psychological reports, 116(2), 534–542. https://doi.org/10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5
8
Chevalier, G., Patel, S., Weiss, L., Chopra, D., & Mills, P. J. (2019). The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers' Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 15(3), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2018.10.001
9
Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of inflammation research, 8, 83–96. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S69656
10
Brown, R., Chevalier, G., & Hill, M. (2015). Grounding after moderate eccentric contractions reduces muscle damage. Open access journal of sports medicine, 6, 305–317. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S87970
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