Grounding - in touch with the earth

There is something very special about feeling the grass or sand under your bare feet. It is one of life’s pleasures. I used to spend hours padding round the garden barefoot as a child. I instinctively knew it was good to dispense with my shoes and socks and run free at any opportunity, whether in the garden or on a beach. Then as you get older it seems less socially acceptable and modern life’s norms gradually take over…

It wasn’t until years later I heard about the concept of ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’ - that literally being in physical contact with the earth is good for you. It made complete sense to me. We are so disconnected from nature at every level, why not this too? Could it be that what I instinctively knew as a child actually has some reason behind it?

Grounding (or earthing) is the concept that we gain benefit from literally being in contact with the earth. This could be as simple as taking our shoes and socks off and having our bare feet in contact with natural surfaces such as vegetation, earth, rock or sand. Being in touch with the ground allows electrons to flow from the ground into our body thereby restoring the electrical state within us that nature intended. We evolved in nature and would have been in contact with earth’s negative charge all the time as we developed as a species. It is relatively recently we have started insulating ourselves from mother earth with non-leather soled shoes and man-made surfaces that prevent the flow of electrons into our bodies.

Many people report a variety of health and wellbeing benefits from practicing grounding regularly – whether from walking barefoot or using grounding mats and shoes. People report benefits including better sleep, less anxiety, reduced inflammation and pain to name but a few.

Taking your shoes off and going barefoot isn’t often a viable option in Scotland, though I love to do this when the opportunity arises. Touching the ground and vegetation with your bare hands when you are gardening also puts you in direct contact with the ground, but again for me, this doesn’t happen as often as I would like.  As an alternative I have found grounding shoes (as long as you are walking on natural surfaces and not pavements) and a grounding mattress cover have made a real difference as it means I am effectively in contact with the earth for several hours every day. Since experimenting with grounding, I have noticed a marked improvement in my sleep and anxiety levels. Why not give grounding a go and see what health and wellbeing benefits you notice?

‘Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.’ - Thich Nhat Hanh

‘Earthing extends beyond physical health and plays an essential role in emotional well-being. The practice helps to calm the mind, reduces anxiety and depression, and promotes a sense of balance and clarity, contributing to overall mental wellness.’ Dr Emily Adams, Psychologist