A Beginner’s Guide To Grounding
Grounding (also known as earthing) is the practice of contacting your skin to the earth.
Simply getting outside has several mental and physical health benefits, and this process has been shown to have many benefits on its own. Bonus: grounding is so easy to do every day!
Our bodies are conductive, and the Earth has a natural electric charge. Many studies have shown that when we have direct contact with the earth, our bodies respond positively, which helps balance out the conductivity of our bodies and helps us reach a healing state.
In reviews published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health and The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, chronic pain patients reported improved sleep, subjects saw improved skin conductivity, moderated heart rate variability, improved glucose regulation, and boosted immunity.
Even more studies show a lower risk of heart disease, reduced stress, and improved regulation in all areas of the body.
So how do you start?
The most common way to practice grounding is walking or standing barefoot or gardening, but really, the only requirement is that your skin touches the earth.
Some advocate that water may be used to ground in the same way the physical earth is used for grounding, such as wading in a clear lake or swimming in the ocean.
When I am on a walk or outside, I will often just reach out my hands and touch the trees, leaves, plants, and flowers I pass.
My personal preference is barefoot walking in the grass or on the trail because our feet are too often imprisoned in shoes.
Being barefoot, in general, has tons of benefits.
Our society spends too much time in shoes, and letting the feet free can be incredibly healthy.
There are many muscles in the feet that are responsible for protecting your knees and hips from injury, but these muscles are all immobilized in common tennis shoes.
Your feet are also full of receptors that communicate with your brain and help affect your balance, coordination, and proprioception.
To Summarize, Potential Benefits of Grounding Include:
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Reduced Inflammation Through Negatively Charged Ions
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Increased Cellular Energy
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Aid In Getting Rid of Migraines
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Disease Prevention
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Boosted Thyroid Function
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Blood Sugar And Electrolytes Stabilize
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Healthier Blood (Be Careful If You Are On Blood Thinners)
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Weight Loss
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Improved Sleep
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Reduced Stress
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Boosted Immunity
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Lowered Risk Of Heart Disease
If you want more tips for spending more time outdoors, check out our Guides to Getting Outside in the Summer and the Winter.
So, as you can see, there are several reasons to give it a try and intentionally spend 10 minutes a day grounding!
Be sure to take notes of how you feel over time. If you already keep a health journal, this could be a great addition to your daily entries.
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Article Contributions by Haley Cottey. Haley and her husband CJ are the founders of ExploreMore and are avid outdoor enthusiasts with over 100 days of experience in the backcountry. They also have years of experience hiking (alone and with toddlers), skiing, climbing, biking, etc. all over the USA. They are also passionate about educating and encouraging people to get outside and explore more of the outdoor spaces and activities right in their town.
Check out the ExploreMore Beginners Guide to Grounding Ebook here and receive 50% off as a CFC member! You can also join the ExploreMore Grounding FB group here.
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