Grounding: Reconnecting With the Earth
- Suzan D. Walker LMT 104331
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Grounding, sometimes called earthing, is really a very simple concept: reconnecting your body with the natural world beneath your feet.
For me, grounding is not something new. I have known about it in one form or another for most of my life, long before I ever heard the word earthing. There is something very basic about walking barefoot in the grass, putting your feet in the dirt or sand, sitting against a tree, gardening, or simply spending quiet time outside and allowing yourself to reconnect with the Earth.
Over the years, I began learning more about why people were intentionally practicing grounding and eventually came across The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding. The full documentary is available on YouTube and was directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell. It explores the history of the modern earthing movement and the idea that direct physical contact with the Earth may influence the body electrically and physiologically.
I think it is a fascinating documentary and a good introduction for anyone curious about grounding. There has been scientific research examining possible effects of grounding on areas such as inflammation, sleep, stress and recovery, although the research is still limited and some of the stronger health claims surrounding earthing remain debated.
For me, grounding does not have to be complicated, expensive, or turned into another wellness project.
Go outside. Put your bare feet on the grass when it is safe to do so. Sit under a tree. Work in your garden. Walk along the beach. Touch the Earth. Pay attention to the air, the temperature, the sounds around you, and what you physically feel beneath your feet.
Sometimes grounding is simply about getting out of our heads and coming back into our bodies and our surroundings.
In a world where we spend so much time indoors, wearing shoes, sitting in front of screens and moving from one obligation to another, intentionally reconnecting with nature can be a wonderful reminder that we are still part of the natural world.
If you're interested in learning more, I recommend watching The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding on YouTube. Whether you approach grounding from a scientific, energetic, spiritual, or simply nature-based perspective, it is an interesting subject worth exploring.
Grounding can also be a simple way to support the body when dealing with inflammation and pain. By reconnecting directly with the Earth, whether through bare feet on grass, soil, or sand you are giving your body an opportunity to slow down, regulate, and reconnect with the natural environment. Because inflammation and pain often go hand in hand, grounding is something worth considering as part of a regular wellness routine, especially in a world where we spend so much time separated from the Earth by shoes, flooring, electronics, and modern technology.
Grounding can be a valuable addition to a daily wellness routine, particularly for people living with chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and those navigating cancer or other long-term health challenges. Research on grounding has examined its effects on inflammation, immune response, pain, sleep, stress, and recovery, and a study involving people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found improved sleep quality after a 12-week grounding intervention. Whether you spend a few minutes barefoot on the grass, sit outside with your feet on the Earth, or simply make grounding part of your morning or evening routine, consider treating that connection with nature as another piece of your everyday health regimen.
Grounding doesn't have to be mystical. Sometimes it is as simple as taking off your shoes and remembering that the Earth is still underneath you.
With care and support,
Suzan Walker LMT
References
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.
Lin, C. H., et al. (2022). Grounding the Body Improves Sleep Quality in Patients with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study. This 12-week study examined grounding in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and reported improvement in sleep quality.
ClinicalTrials.gov – The Effect of Walking and Grounding in Women With Breast Cancer. This clinical study examines grounding combined with walking and its relationship to pain, fatigue, and sleep problems in women with breast cancer.
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