Hang in with me today guys, we’re getting a little bit hippy. Have you ever heard of grounding? It’s also commonly referred to as earthing, and all it entails is having direct contact between your body and the earth. The surface of the earth is covered with free electrons, which your body can absorb directly through your skin. These electrons act almost like antioxidants within the body, and have been proven to reduce inflammation, improve sleep, reduce stress, and help speed the healing of wounds, among other benefits. (Note: this is different from the concept of “grounding” with which you may already be familiar. It has nothing to do with being present in the moment, practicing mindfulness, etc. - although those are all good things too!)

The earth itself has a slight negative electrical charge. When electricians wire a house, they include grounding wires so that any excess electricity can be run into the ground, where it’s neutralized. Your body is also a conduit for electricity, and absorbing those negatively charged electrons from the earth helps combat free radicals inside the body, much in the same manner as antioxidants. Free radicals (unstable molecules within the body) are linked to a whole host of problems, including inflammatory diseases and premature aging, so keeping them in check is a wonderful thing.

Earthing is a relatively new area of study, but the initial research is compelling, and it costs nothing to incorporate it into your daily routine. The easiest way to practice grounding is by walking barefoot on the grass, dirt, rock or sand. Swimming in a natural body of water, such as the ocean or a lake, can also have the same positive effects.

Dancing while grounding — Bonus points to anyone who can dance while they ground.

I’ll be honest here - I looooove not wearing shoes. I just like the feeling of the earth under my feet, which is probably why I was so eager to try grounding when I first started reading about it. But even if you’re not a huge fan of being barefoot, there are ways to practice grounding without constantly getting your feet dirty. There was a study done that showed similar benefits in people who wore natural wool socks while walking through the grass*. There are also a variety of products, such as grounding mats, available if you’d like to practice grounding inside. If you want to keep it free and enjoy the great outdoors though, nothing beats walking barefoot!

The research varies when it comes to how long one should practice grounding, but I’ve seen anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes per day. I know it can be tricky to find an extra 20+ minutes in your day, but if you can simply sit outside on a blanket with your feet in the grass while you work, play with your dog, read, etc., you can work earthing into your routine. Heck, enjoy some dark chocolate while you’re at it and really double down on your antioxidants 😉.

If you choose to start practicing earthing, I would love to hear your thoughts! Wishing you all a week of feet on the ground and toes in the sand.