Earthing— How It Works and Why You Should Do it

Feel free to share with your friends!

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably heard about earthing, or grounding, and are wondering if it’s just some hocus pocus mumbo jumbo, or if there is some real science to it.

Can walking barefoot really have an impact on your health?

Here is the super basic breakdown of what earthing is, how it can impact our health, and the science to back it up. (I will refer to earthing and grounding interchangeably throughout this article.)

(This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our full disclosure policy here.)

What is earthing?

Earthing, also known as grounding, is the direct contact with electrons from the earth by walking barefoot on earth’s surface. Really, any part of your body having direct contact with the earth can allow you to benefit from earth’s vast amount of electrons.

It doesn’t take a scientist to realize the earth is powerful. The earth is full of electrons, and since all our cells have an electrical charge, connecting with the earth can have a physiological effect on us.

What are electrons?

Simply put, electrons are subatomic (within an atom) particles with a charge of negative electricity.

But isn’t negative electricity bad?

Nope!

When it comes to electric charges, negative is good, positive is bad. Kinda like how Greenland is icy and Iceland is green? Yeah, same thing. If you want a bit more of a scientific explanation, this article does a much better job than I could.

Negative ions are what we experience when we are at the ocean, near a waterfall, or even during a lightning storm. Its energizing, it’s rejuvenating, it’s electric! (da da da da-da da-da da da…)

Positive ions are particles with a positive charge, such as pollution, toxins, mold, or chemicals, which make you feel… blah. (wa wa waaaah)

So the earth is BURSTING with negatively charged electrons that are just dying to dance with us, and every time we put rubber soled shoes on and step outside we’re like, “Nope. I don’t dance.”

And since we are always putting our feet into little protective suits when we go outside, like they’re astronauts stepping off their spacecraft into a hostile environment, we are missing out on the many benefits of going barefoot and mingling with earth’s electrons.

So what is ACTUALLY happening when our bare feet touch the earth?

When we are barefoot on the earth, we are able to absorb these negatively charged electrons, which can neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.

Integrative cardiologist and co author of the book Earthing: The Most Important Heath Discovery Ever Dr. Stephen Sinatra explains that when we are able to absorb these electrons, it’s like grabbing handfuls of antioxidants. How often are we searching for exotic fruits and expensive supplements wanting to boost our antioxidant intake when all we had to do was take off our shoes!

What are the benefits of earthing?

Most disease is a result of inflammation, including cancer, heart disease, and auto-immune disease. Since connecting with the earth can help reduce inflammation, it can have a profound effect on our health.

Think about how good you feel when you are barefoot at the beach. Don’t you feel relaxed, energized, and rejuvenated all at the same time? That’s not just cuz of the margarita in your hand (though that probably helps.) Being barefoot on the earth has been proven to lower stress levels, calm your nerves, and even improve sleep. Studies have shown earthing can also

• lower blood pressure
• help prevent heart disease
• improve your mood
• reduce chronic pain
• balance your nervous system
• improve blood viscosity

In our daily life, we are constantly absorbing toxins and pollutants without giving them an outlet. Not to mention the electropollution from all the electromagnetic frequencies we’re surrounded with in our environment.

I imagine all these pent-up, positively charged particles pacing in our bodies like a caged beast, wreaking havoc as they continue to build up with no way out.

Then when we take off our shoes and let our bare feet touch the cool grass its like… ahhhhh. Somewhere for the little beasts to be free. It’s like you’re dumping all the pollutants and toxins you’ve absorbed and giving it back to the earth to get you back in balance.

Can earthing affect our electropollution load?

There is debate about whether our health is really affected by all the electronics and electromagnetic fields in our life, but how could it not be? We are definitely affected by electrical currents and grounding is one proof of that.

However, the good news is studies have been done that demonstrate that earthing “essentially eliminates the ambient voltage induced on the body from common electricity power sources.” It goes on to say, “The Earth’s potential thus becomes the ‘working agent that cancels, reduces, or pushes away electric fields from the body.’”

What I take from that is earth basically neutralizes us. It’s like when your are searching for a radio station through all the static and finally get to the right frequency and everything is clear. When we get on earth’s frequency, it gives our bodies clarity.

Is there a right or wrong way to do earthing?

Earthing is a very simple concept, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. You need to be on a surface that is conductive like sand, grass, concrete, or even in a body of water like a lake or the ocean.

2. It does not work on asphalt or wood.

3. You can practice earthing by going barefoot, touching the ground with your hands, or you can lay on the ground with bare skin touching earth’s surface. The more skin touching the ground the better.

4. Water on your feet helps conductivity, like walking through wet grass.

How long do you need to be grounded to experience the benefits?

Dr. Sinatra mentions that even just 40 minutes a day can make a big difference. I personally have seen benefits after just 20 minutes! The point is, it doesn’t take much time to benefit from earthing, so just try to do it a little bit every day!

If you aren’t sure you can make time to do it every day, try to be more conscientious about being barefoot throughout your daily routine. You can

• start every morning barefoot outside in the grass or on your patio while you’re sipping your coffee
• water your plants barefoot
• take your shoes off when you take your kids to the park

Any chance you get, take your shoes off. And for goodness’ sake, if you go to the beach, please do not leave your shoes on. It’s uncomfortable for everyone.

Are there dangers with earthing?

Funny, while I was writing this post (barefoot) my baby yanked the lamp off the end table and it shattered on the ground. I stopped writing about the importance of being barefoot to go put shoes on.

The point is… use your common sense.

Size up the environment for potential hazards like broken glass, good ol’ rusty nails, or even extremely hot pavement. I did step on a wasp once while walking through the grass barefoot. It hurt like hell but guess what… I got over it.

Unless you have a severe allergy to wasps, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Are there other ways to practice earthing besides walking barefoot outside?

In addition to walking barefoot, earthing can be done by

• swimming in a lake or the ocean
• rock climbing outside (grounding happens through your hands)
• grounding mats
• wearing leather-soled shoes

If you aren’t able to spend a lot of time outside, grounding mats could be a good option for you. You get all the benefits of being grounded right inside your home while you’re drinking your coffee or working at your desk!

Although, in my opinion, nothing beats getting outside, if you can, since you have the added benefits of sunshine, fresh air, and Vitamin D. =)

So earthing is not just some hocus pocus mumbo jumbo…

It’s amazing to think that something as simple as just taking off your shoes can have such a profound effect on your health. But it makes sense! I’m sure you will agree that reconnecting with nature in any way can improve our overall well-being. Earthing is just one other way we can remove the barrier between us and the natural world and experience the benefits of reconnecting to this beautiful planet of ours.