Have you heard of Earthing? Why you need to try it.

Have you ever noticed how you just feel better after you spend some time in nature? Whether it be a day at the beach or a picnic in the park, spending some time outside seems to renew you spirit. There's good reason for this. It turns out that when you create a physical connection with the earth (being barefoot in the grass, or playing in the sand) you're actually connecting your bodies energy with that of the earth.

Have you ever heard of Earthing? That's the word used for walking barefoot on the earth and absorbing it's energy through that contact. It's also known as grounding and many believe that contact with the earths electrons can have a positive impact on your health and well being.

Is this a little too new age woo-woo for you? I thought that the first time I heard about it too! Then I found where Healthline said: Grounding or earthing is a therapeutic technique that focuses on realigning your electrical energy by reconnecting to the earth. There’s little research behind grounding but smaller studies have reported benefits for inflammation, pain, mood, and more.

If nothing else, the time in nature has a calming or renewing effect on many people. Anyone who struggles with issues like anxiety, stress, or depression knows how difficult it is to manage. Many people find that grounding themselves through earthing helps to manage these conditions.

While there is an electron exchange when grounding, I think it's also helpful in part because if you're spending time sitting still in nature, like when you're soaking up the sun on the beach...you're also decompressing a bit and that can do wonders for your well being too! 

When it comes to healthcare, I'm a big believer in 'whatever works' and I find that earthing does work to help me decompress, destress and relax.

What is Earthing?

Let’s start with exactly how earthing works and what you should do. Earthing is the concept of putting your bare feet on the ground – the earth – to help ground you. There are many benefits to earthing, including lowering cortisol levels, helping to reduce anxiety and stress, relieve ailments like chronic pain and inflammation in the body, and even provide energy from the earth itself.

A small study done in 2015 shows the benefits of grounding in helping to lessen inflammation after exercise. 

Earthing requires contact between your bare feet and the earth, whether it is dirt, grass, sand, or even water like in the ocean. The concept comes from the fact that you get free electrons when you touch the earth with your bare feet, which can help to damage free radicals in your body. 

You are getting healing energy directly from the earth’s surface, which is why it is important to touch actual earth like dirt or real grass, nothing man-made like gravel. You'll want to take off shoes and socks also.

It doesn't have to be your feet though! You can get the same benefits from digging in the dirt, playing in the sand at the beach, trailing your fingers through a stream, sitting in the grass while wearing shorts or basically any activity that has your bare skin touching the earth.

When to ground Yourself

One of the main reasons people do earthing is to help ground themselves. This is really useful if you suffer from anxiety or depression. Sometimes, to get out of an anxiety or panic attack, you need to ground yourself to know where you are and get out of those panic thoughts. 

Other times it can help to shut off a toxic thought stream or to make you feel calmer and less stressed. It can help if you're feeling unfocused, anxious, upset or uneasy.

Touching your bare feet to the ground will help you to be more mindful of your surroundings, while you get all that beautiful natural energy to help your mind and body relax even further. It's a nice addition to your bedtime routine to help you wind down at the end of the day.

How To Get Started Earthing

If you want to try earthing and grounding for mental health, all you need to do is get outside. Take your shoes off and find some earth to stand on. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes of being in direct contact with the earth (with bare feet) to get the full effects.

It may feel a little silly at first, but stick with it for a few weeks. Doing this on a regular basis, at least once a day, will do wonders for you. This might be something you do each morning. Simply stand outside in your backyard while your dog does his business. Or when you take your kids to the park, kick off your shoes or sit in the grass.

It is also a great reason to go to the beach more often and stand in the sand or the ocean. Try to enjoy your time earthing and don't expect "something" to happen. This is a gentle shift inside your body that you won't consciously feel...but it will happen! 

Of course be careful not to step on anything because that will certainly feel like something!

Does it really work?

Well, I like it and notice an improvement in my mood when I spend more time in nature...but that is certainly not proof! Much of the evidence is anecdotal as there have not been many scientific studies done on earthing/grounding. 

There is a lot written about the perceived benefits of earthing, though for something that cannot be patented...no one is lining up to throw money behind a bunch of studies. So that's probably not going to change.

I liken it to other natural healthcare methods like herbs or using natural gemstones. Many people have tried them and say they work, but others will swear they don't. Like herbs, earthing is an extra tool in your natural healthcare arsenal that just might work for you!

Related reading: Dry brushing: what it is and why you should do it.

~L


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I am not a doctor or other health care professional nor do I claim to be. I am not trained in any medical field. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me. This information is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. see a Dr if you are ill. Click for my full disclaimer.