Looking to unearth the benefits of grounding? Wondering what grounding is all about and how it affects the mind and body? Below are some powerful techniques and fun facts about walking barefoot!
Before jumping into the nuances of earthing and its many health benefits, let’s first cover the fundamentals. The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and 20 muscles. There are also 8,000 nerves in the feet – more than anywhere else in the body. This complex system in the foot is designed to control movement and ensure balance while standing.
The average person walks about 5,000 steps per day. This amounts to millions of steps (over 100,000 miles) in a lifetime. According to a study performed by the American Podiatric Medical Association, nearly 8 in 10 Americans have experienced a foot problem impacting their quality of life. Furthermore, since WWII, the rate of arthritis in the knee has doubled, coinciding with the major technological advances in cushioned soles.
This begs the question: how does modern footwear affect the human body? Has mainstream science gone far enough to address foot problems? Throughout this article, we’ll cover the health benefits of grounding, including grounding facts, earthing techniques, and other advantages of grounding yourself outside.
Earth grounding (then and now)
For most of human history, people lived in direct barefoot skin contact with the Earth’s surface. This means that we evolved without wearing footwear. However, humans today mainly wear closed toe shoes, which restrict the full range of motion and other functional abilities of our feet. Today’s shoes are more about comfort and aesthetic than good foot health.
When you’re walking barefoot versus in shoes, expect there to be significant differences in foot structure, mobility, pressure, and muscle tone. For instance, barefoot walkers tend to have shorter and lighter strides and increased cadence when compared to those who wear shoes.
Moreover, shoes with cushion around the arch alter the way we naturally walk. This affects the way our feet, legs, core, and spine all interact with one another. Over many years of wearing shoes, the physiology of our feet changes, leading to increased pressure in certain areas of the body. In some cases, this can even lead to chronic pain, which is especially true for women who wear high heels.
For thousands of years, humans from all cultures and walks of life have understood the benefits of grounding barefoot. It was only recently, however, that Western science set out to demystify the profound effects of grounding on our physical and psychological wellbeing. Now, let’s learn about all the amazing ways that grounding affects our mental and physical health.
What is grounding?
The term ‘grounding’ means direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth. This is achieved through walking barefoot on the Earth – whether it be dirt, grass, or sand.
When walking barefoot, our body absorbs free ions from the Earth’s surface, which act as antioxidants. These antioxidants enhance our health and lead to positive feelings in the body. Unfortunately, most people today spend the majority of their lives wearing shoes, thus failing to exploit the benefits of grounding.
Grounding offers many health benefits, including improved sleep, reduced inflammation, improved tissue and cell repair, enhanced blood flow, increased heart rate variability, and improved electrical activity in the brain. In addition, walking barefoot on the ground releases endorphins. This can improve our mood and counteract mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Walking barefoot also reconnects us with nature, which boosts our mental and physical states in other ways. As such, Earth’s natural healing energy should never be overlooked!
This is just the tip of the iceberg – there are many more earthing advantages below!
Integrating grounding into your daily routine: Practical tips and suggestions
Before diving into all the amazing earthing benefits, let’s first cover how to make it a part of your daily routine. After all – if you can’t commit to making barefoot grounding a habit, then it will be hard to reap the benefits of grounding yourself.
Firstly, you might be wondering, “When and where should I practice grounding?” The answer is simple: Anytime and anywhere! Whether you’re in the comfort of your own home, at the park, or taking a stroll along the beach, you can practice grounding by simply taking off your shoes and socks and allowing your feet to make contact with the earth.
To make grounding a habit, set a reminder on your phone to take a few minutes out of your day for a barefoot walk. Maybe it’s first thing in the morning to start your day off on the right foot. Or, before bed to help wind down after a long day.
Another suggestion is to make it fun. Invite friends along to do earthing with you. Walk barefoot on grass or dirt while listening to soothing music. Or try “grounding yoga” poses, which involve making contact with the earth in different ways while practicing yoga.
Lastly, I highly recommend taking advantage of some biohacking tools to reap all the grounding health benefits. The reality is that many of us live in a difficult environment to practice grounding, so every bit helps.
Here are some grounding products I can’t live without that have helped me on my physical, mental, and spiritual journey:
| Earth Runner Sandals | The most comfortable, eco-friendly, and stylish barefoot sandals on the market. I wear them all the time – inside and outside (rain or shine). |
| HigherDose Infrared Grounding Mat | The best recovery tool I’ve tried that gives you a full-body reset |
| Earthing Universal Grounding Mat | A cheaper alternative to the earthing grounding mat above that also works wonders. |
Finally, remember that grounding is a personal practice, and it’s important to do what feels right for you. If you only have a few minutes to spare, that’s okay! Take off your shoes, take a few deep breaths, and allow yourself to feel the earth beneath your feet. The more you practice grounding, the more natural it will become. And the more you’ll feel the amazing benefits of grounding yourself.
30 benefits of grounding: How grounding yourself really works
As mentioned above, walking barefoot on the Earth has vast benefits that affect our mental and physical wellbeing. Across different cultures and civilizations, it’s been considered one of the best natural medicines for healing. Though walking barefoot has countless benefits, here are the top 30 benefits of earthing that you should know about.
Improves blood pressure
This is one of the best benefits of grounding, hands down.
These days, chronic stress is a major catalyst for health issues like hypertension— also called high blood pressure.
During stressful situations, our bodies tend to produce an increased level of hormones (including adrenaline and cortisol). An excess of these hormones causes the blood vessels to constrict and the heart rate to increase. In the long term, this can lead to hypertension.
How earthing therapy addresses hypertension
Hypertension has serious health risks which include heart attacks, kidney disease, and strokes among patients. According to the U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 116 million American adults are affected by hypertension. Though it’s a very common condition, hypertension can be addressed (and even eliminated) using natural healing methods like grounding.
According to a PubMed study, patients with hypertension experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure from the act of grounding. This parasympathetic activity subsequently improved the blood flow in the body, leading to decreased stress levels and lower blood pressure.
In another study by Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, ten patients with various degrees of high blood pressure were given a similar intervention. Over several months, the patients practiced barefoot walking and even slept on the ground. This led to lower blood pressure levels and a restored energetic connection with the Earth.
In addition, barefoot walking has a positive effect on the endothelium— the cells of our arteries. As a result of earthing, nitric oxide is released in the body, which relaxes the arteries. This leads to a reduction in blood pressure.
Is this one of the top benefits of earthing? Absolutely.
Enhances energy levels
Everyone agrees that nature has a remarkable way of increasing our energy levels and elevating our spirits. But when you take shoes out of the equation, you can connect even deeper to Earth’s energy field and experience the full benefits of earthing.
In terms of particles, the Earth’s surface carries a negative charge while humans have a positive charge. This means that when we make direct contact with the ground, excess energy releases. Thus, tension from the electrical circuits of the body is liberated and energy from nature is absorbed. By reconnecting with Earth’s electrons, many physiological changes occur in the body, including healing and higher levels of energy.
Nowadays, people often wear rubber or plastic-soled shoes for increased comfort. These types of shoes act as a barrier and obstacle to Earth’s energy field. As a result, this leads to decreased energy levels in the body.
If walking barefoot isn’t an option for you but you still wish to retain some benefits of grounding, here are some barefoot shoes that I recommend. I wear these shoes daily and each have had a profound affect on my energy levels and willpower.
1. Earth Runners – Minimalist grounding sandals that I wear all the time.
2. Xero – Barefoot running shoes that I wear while exercising.
Reduces chronic pain
It would be a crime to cover the benefits of earthing without covering its effects on chronic pain. Here’s the scientific explanation on how barefoot walking helps people reduce pain in the body.
When a person walks barefoot, he or she is connected to electrons that are present on Earth. The Earth’s surface has a negative charge that is due to thousands of daily lightning strikes around the world. Electrons from lightning enter Earth’s surface making an electrical reference point. The electric potential becomes 0 volts and the person in contact with the Earth’s surface has the same electric potential as that of Earth. Since oxygen is an electron acceptor, the electrons present on Earth help to increase the oxygen levels in the body and thereby increase the flow of energy and reduce chronic pain.
Study showing how grounding reduces chronic pain
A PubMed study by Richard Brown, Gaetan Chevalier, and Michael Hill researched the effect of grounding in reducing chronic pain. Thirty two men were divided into grounded and sham-grounded groups. During days 1-4, the visual analog scale for pain evaluations was used.
On the first day, participants from both groups performed contractions of 200 half-knee buds. By the second day, the sham-grounded group experienced much more chronic pain than the ‘grounded’ group. The study concluded that grounding significantly reduces Creatine Kinase (CK) in the injured muscles, thus lessening muscle damage. In addition to decreasing CK, grounding increases Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that increases immunity and protects us from infections.
As a result of this study, researchers have determined that earthing has a positive effect on people with chronic pain.
One of the top grounding benefits: Improves sleep
These days, many people around the world suffer from sleep insufficiency and sleep disorders. According to the CDC, 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, which contributes to conditions like obesity and depression. Thankfully, the benefits of grounding also can help here.
According to research in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, grounding can improve sleep, as it helps normalize the stress hormones in the body. In this study, individuals with sleep disorders slept under a cotton sheet that had conductive carbon threads woven into it. The sheet was connected to a wire extending to a metal rod placed on the ground outside. As a result of this study, it was concluded that participants slept better when they were grounded. A reduction in stress levels was also noted.
Moreover, a study conducted by Maurice Ghaly and Dale Teplitz also suggests that grounding improves sleep. By balancing hormone secretion through the 24-hour circadian rhythm, there was a noted reduction in the night-time levels of cortisol. As such, this had a beneficial effect on the body’s stress response. Note that high stress levels over a long period of time often leads to inadequate sleep or sleep disorders.
Therefore, when a person walks barefoot, they can reduce their stress levels, which leads to a more restful night’s sleep. This may explain why so many people report better sleep on days when they visit the beach.
Improves posture
Nearly everyone wears shoes these days, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for your health. On the contrary, footwear with lots of cushion adversely effects body alignment, or posture. Thankfully, earthing can help and even reverse the negative effects of wearing shoes.
In addition to causing poor posture, wearing shoes also reduces the flexibility and strength of our feet. Each of these undesirable effects can lead to issues such as neck pain, back pain, and knee pain. By walking barefoot every day, you can retrain your feet to move naturally. Thus, you can correct the tone, balance, and function of the legs, pelvis, and lumbar spine.
The improvement of posture from grounding helps to prevent aches and pains in the human body. This is truly one of the best earthing advantages out there!
Improves body reflexes
For yogis, this is one of the top benefits of grounding barefoot.
Have you ever wondered why yoga (and martial arts) is done with bare feet? Part of the reason has to do with achieving balance and stretching the muscles in the feet. However, the less obvious reason deals with the parts of the body that we can’t see. This entails the atomic and subatomic levels—namely electrons and ions.
The human body is made up of 60-70% water, an electron provider that is profoundly linked to Earth’s energy. The more we stay in contact with the ground, the more our body functions properly (and energy moves freely). As such, grounding creates an ionic balance that directly influences our wellbeing. In addition to enhancing our physical reflexes, this ionic balance also sharpens our mind, providing greater mental stability.
So, if you’re looking to improve your body’s reflexes and overall flow, this earthing benefit will hopefully encourage you to go outside barefoot.
Reduces knee and hip pain
Like its effects on chronic pain, grounding is encouraged for patients who suffer from knee and hip pain. Poor alignment in the feet can cause a ripple effect into the legs, knees, hips, and even lower back. As evidenced in this study, the natural movement from barefoot walking increases the blood flow to these areas, which can reduce inflammation around the nerves.
As such, by increasing blood flow in these parts of the body, grounding can profoundly heal knee and hip pain.
Reduces calluses and ingrown toenails
As you’ve likely experienced firsthand, wearing shoes can lead to issues such as calluses and ingrown toenails. This is often due to the size, shape, and material of the shoe. Tight-fit shoes, in particular, can create friction that aggravates the skin around the feet.
By wearing no shoes (or barefoot/minimalist shoes), you can prevent calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, and hammertoes from forming. You can also reverse many of these foot conditions through barefoot walking. This enhanced mobility increases blood flow, which promotes healing. Therefore, walking on the ground ensures that our feet stay in a healthy condition.
Improves senses
Grounding barefoot offers a natural sensory experience for our feet. This ultimately enhances our sense of feeling and connection with the natural world.
Nowadays, so many of us are disconnected from nature, especially those who live in urban areas. This isn’t helped by the fact that most modern jobs are performed indoors under blue light (rather than natural light). Add shoes to the equation, which prevent us from directly touching the Earth, and it’s no wonder many people these days don’t feel grounded and connected with the world around them.
When walking barefoot, there are certain points of our feet that are stimulated. This causes us to be more observant of the paths we are walking on. Walking with shoes, on the other hand, prevents our feet from exploring the textures of various natural surfaces such as sand, mud, and grass. By walking with bare feet, the natural surfaces stimulate the pressure points and nerve ends. This results in making us more active, aware, and alert.
An orthopedic surgeon, Jonathan Kaplan, informs us that walking barefoot restores our natural walking pattern or otherwise known as gait. This results in improving our senses and having better control of foot position and balance. This leads to increased alertness in our minds and bodies, which ultimately enhance our senses.
Widens the feet (making them biomechanically more efficient)
Studies have shown that people who walk barefoot regularly tend to have wider feet. According to the journal Footwear Science, researchers concluded that barefoot walking results in wider foot shape and feet that are biomechanically more efficient. Barefoot walkers not only had wider feet, but they had equally distributed peak pressures.
In addition, Footwear Science noted that those who wear shoes have regions of very high or low peak pressures in their feet. This signifies that individuals wearing shoes do not have equally distributed peak pressures as seen in barefoot walkers. The study concluded that most footwear does not take into consideration the natural shape of our feet, which can negatively impact (and transform) its shape.
Joints are protected as a result of earthing grounding techniques
Experienced barefoot runners are known to have strong feet that protects them from impact-related wounds and injuries. Alternatively, shoes with lots of support do not promote foot strength and functionality.
Dr. Daniel Lieberman, a researcher and professor at Harvard, suggests that “the energy that gets shot up your leg is about three times bigger in a cushioned shoe than if you’re barefoot.” This implies that while cushioned shoes may be comfortable, the force of impact remains high. As a result, this puts significant pressure on the joints.
Given that walking barefoot provides optimal strength and functionality of the feet, it could help to protect joints and even prevent issues like arthritis. A top benefit of grounding for sure!
Strengthens the muscles and bones
As mentioned above, one of the top earthing advantages is that it promotes strong feet. It should come as no surprise then that grounding also strengthens the muscles and bones in the lower extremities.
Walking barefoot improves the venous return in our bodies. Venous return is the rate of blood flow back to the heart and is primarily responsible for making our muscles stronger. In the context of feet, this increased blood circulation also reduces swelling and heaviness in the legs and feet.
Additionally, when a person walks barefoot on the ground, the feet are in contact with the sunlight. This leads to increased levels of Vitamin D and bone calcium. According to a study by the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, Vitamin D may help to improve muscle strength. Therefore, in two ways, grounding yourself outside can strengthen the muscles and bones in the body.
Reduces inflammation
Earth grounding techniques lead to all kinds of beneficial health outcomes. And perhaps no benefit of earthing is more profound than the one on the body’s inflammatory response.
Walking barefoot regulate sthe levels of inflammation experienced by a person. Note that some inflammation is healthy – particularly when it’s used to heal injuries, regenerate muscle fibers, and fight off viruses. However, chronic inflammation, which is common nowadays due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, can lead to dreadful diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular health issues. Pollutants in the environment (i.e. pesticides, insecticides, and cigarettes) can also expose our bodies to free radicals and oxidative stress. This, in turn, also depletes the electrons in our body.
How this grounding benefit lessens inflammation in the body
According to research in the Journal of Inflammation Research, mobile electrons from the Earth contact our skin and act as natural antioxidants. As such, they protect cells, tissue, and organs from any oxidative stress and thereby reduce inflammation.
In another study by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, grounding was shown to reduce inflammation and blood markers, resulting in quicker healing for the groups tested.
When we are walking barefoot — making direct contact with the Earth’s surface — free electrons flow through the body. These negative-charged electrons act as natural antioxidants and reduce oxidative stress. Therefore, by walking barefoot outside on a regular basis, you are protecting your body against inflammation (and disease).
Improves immunity
Another significant benefit of grounding is that it improves our immunity. Note that the body’s immune response follows a similar pattern to the inflammatory response. The foot sole of the human body provides numerous sensory receptors and nerve endings. When directly connected to the ground, this changes our biochemistry and physiology.
According to this study, which tested people’s responses to muscle damage and pain, it was noted that the immune response in the grounded group was altered in favorable ways (in terms of white blood cells and cytokines). Through earthing, the sensory receptors are enhanced, thus improving immunity and helping the body to fight off diseases.
Strengthens the nervous system
Given all the ways that barefoot grounding reduces stress, it should come as no surprise that it naturally stimulates the nervous system. This is among the best benefits of grounding, hands down.
Firstly, direct contact with the Earth acts as a stimulus for the feet. This sensory feedback increases one’s level of awareness on his/her environment. The experience of walking barefoot grounds you in the present moment, helping to diminish the stress (and anxiety levels) in the body.
Another way earthing strengthens the nervous system is through the flow (and balance) of electrons – namely, that the body has a positive charge while the Earth has a negative charge. This ultimately relaxes the nervous system and boosts our physical and emotional states.
Improves eyesight
This grounding benefit is a bit controversial in the West, but there is anecdotal evidence supporting this claim in the East (particularly in Asia).
In traditional Chinese medicine and reflexology, there are pressure points on the feet that connect to the nerves in the eyes. When the pressure points are stimulated through direct contact with the ground, it may improve our eyesight.
In addition to grounding, early morning sunlight has a positive effect on eye health, so consider pairing those two together!
Stabilizes circadian rhythms
The Circadian rhythm is essentially the body’s internal clock. It’s a 24-hour, sleep-wake cycle that affects physical, mental, and behavioral functions in the body.
Per PubMed research, grounding outside helps to stabilize the circadian rhythms in the human body. As a result, this can work to prevent sleep disorders and insomnia. The study concluded that those who regularly walked barefoot had improved circadian rhythms, thus helping them to sleep better.
The circadian rhythms are responsible for regulating feelings and the cycle of sleeping in the human body. Therefore, through grounding, you can expect there to be a positive effect on your Circadian biology, which may improve or even prevent sleep issues like insomnia.
Improves blood flow
According to research noted in the National Library of Medicine, walking barefoot decreases blood viscosity by increasing the surface area of red blood cells. This results in improved oxygen delivery and blood flow throughout the body. High viscosity, on the other hand, is often linked to critical diseases related to the heart. This prompts many patients to take medicines such as aspirin to improve their cardiac health.
Blood flow is important for the human body, as the level of blood circulation correlates to a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. Increased blood flow also enhances the repairing process of skin tissues.
Additionally, walking barefoot stimulates 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot (many of which are dormant due to chronic shoe wear). As a result, this increases blood flow in the feet and legs. This means fewer aches and pains, less varicose veins, and warmer feet in cold seasons. Collectively, these are some of the top earthing health benefits out there.
Improves cardiac health
While we’re on the topic of blood flow, let’s expand our focus to cardiac health in general. Note that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In recent years, grounding has become a popular intervention for improving cardiac health, especially heart rate variability.
According to research from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, earthing has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, participants were given conductive patches on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet that connected to the earth outdoors. The blood levels of the participants were then monitored. This evidenced that there was less red blood cell clumping as a result of the intervention.
Blood clumping blocks the small blood vessels and general the blood flow, thus damaging the heart. Grounding works to improve blood circulation, which reduces the possibility of blood clotting and coronary artery issues. Therefore, grounding on a regular basis improves heart health and diminishes the likelihood of cardiac diseases.
One of the coolest benefits of grounding: A natural foot massage
So far, we’ve covered earthing for health – but what about earthing for the soul? If you’ve ever walked barefoot on the beach (or in the grass), you can agree that grounding offers one of the best natural foot massages.
When we walk barefoot on the earth, uneven surfaces such as small pebbles and sand gently massage the soles of our feet. This stimulates the nerves and energy flow throughout our bodies. As such, we can treat ourselves to a free and natural foot massage through grounding.
Changes in electrical activity in the brain
A study on the neuromodulative role of earthing found that grounding yourself positively impacts the electrical activity of the brain. When someone comes in contact with the Earth through walking barefoot, the electric potential in the body aligns with that of the Earth. Given that Earth’s natural energy can calm the mind and bring people to homeostasis, this impacts the physiological processes and brain activity of humans in a favorable way.
Improves menstrual and hormonal issues
Here is another one of the most profound benefits of grounding.
When hormones in the body are not in balance, people may experience physical and mental issues. As mentioned above, earthing has a positive effect on cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body. Similarly, grounding can lead to favorable effects on women’s menstrual cycles.
Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) experience mood swings, weight gain, and headaches, among other symptoms. Moreover, women with hormonal imbalances can experience intense stomach aches and face acne during menstrual cycles. Grounding can work to correct these hormonal imbalances, thus having a beneficial effect on physical and mental health.
Another earthing advantage: Increases height
According to the book Barefoot Walking by Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee, walking barefoot help an individual to stand taller and with better posture. When an individual comes in contact with the ground, the person gains awareness of the body and posture. The immediate feeling and feedback help to tighten the core of the person and enable him/her to stand tall. The increase in height is yet another benefit of walking barefoot on the ground.
Enhances body balance
Another one of the benefits of walking barefoot is that it increases the sense of balance in the human body. Barefoot walking enables the body to be more connected to the ground, which stimulates the vestibular system in the brain. As a result, this stimulation enhances the body’s sense of balance. It also helps improve the proprioceptive neural input to the brain from receptors in the muscles and joints. This leads to better awareness of the body’s position on the ground and may lead to pain reduction in and around the feet.
Decreases foot pain
It may sound counterintuitive, but wearing footwear with too much support can lead to foot pain. This is often due to having an improper fit (i.e. shoes being too small and restrictive). It can also be caused by a lack of strength in the feet resulting from excessive shoe support. As such, it’s always a good idea to get your feet (and shoes) fitted by an expert who understands arch support and other elements of foot health. For that reason, I like to go to Marathon Sports for personalized shoe recommendations.
When an individual begins walking barefoot, he or she might feel sore at first while the muscles get acclimated to this new way of walking. In the long run, however, the feet will strengthen and gain back its natural functionality and the discomfort will subside. Through barefoot walking and running, your feet will become strong and flexible. This will significantly improve the daily aches and pains of the feet.
Therefore, grounding directly improves foot muscles and reduces subsequent pains and aches. This is one of the many health benefits of earthing.
Grounding yourself can reduce back pain
Back pain is one of the most common medical issues, affecting some 8 to 10 people at some point in their life. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, nearly 65 million Americans reported a recent episode of back pain. This is especially a problem amongst the older population.
Many chronic back issues are due to prolonged sitting and poor ergonomics while working. However, wearing footwear can also cause back pain. This is due to the fact that high arches and low arches molded by improper footwear can affect the hips, lower back, and even the neck. Given that the feet connect to the lower back and spine, the practice of earthing can be of tremendous benefit here.
By walking barefoot, you are able to increase the mobility and flexibility in your feet, while also reducing free radicals in the body. This has a favorable impact on shin splints, joint pain, and lower back issues.
Increases circulation in feet
Do your feet get cold in the winter? This can be explained as follows: in the winter, your body tries to keep warm by sending warm blood to the internal organs from the extremities. Often times, this can be painful or uncomfortable, particularly if you have Raynaud’s Disease. By walking barefoot, you’re able to increase circulation in the feet, which reduces the symptoms of cold feet.
The increased circulation ensures that warmth or blood flow reaches your feet and lower legs sufficiently. This will ultimately result in warmer feet on cooler days and cooler feet on warmer days. If you’re looking to improve the circulation in your lower extremities, this barefoot grounding benefit will inspire you to ditch the shoes and walk with bare feet.
Benefits of grounding: Prevents varicose veins
Last but certainly not least on this round-up of the best earthing advantages is that barefoot walking can help prevent varicose veins. Essentially, varicose veins are enlarged and twisted blood vessels that can build up anywhere in the human body. However, they are most common in the legs and feet.
Upon walking barefoot, the movement of the feet increases the flow of blood to the veins. This helps the leg and foot muscles circulate blood flow back to the heart. The increased blood flow prevents the formation of varicose veins, which ultimately leads to healthier legs and feet.
Top Earthing Grounding Techniques
In my daily life, I always like to ground myself in nature and find creative ways to absorb Earth’s energy. Here are some therapeutic techniques that electrically connect you to the earth:
1. Walk outside with bare feet on the sand, grass, or dirt
2. Wear Earthing shoes (also known as barefoot shoes)
3. Use a grounding mat to rid the body of EMF exposure
4. Get an earthing sheet to neutralize negative charges in your home
Barefoot walking customs in different countries
Grounding energy is well known around the world. And to this day, it has cultural significance in several countries. For instance, in India, it it common not to wear any footwear in homes or temples. Throughout the country, it is also a tradition to eat meals on the floor instead of at a table. This is because shoes are considered impure.
Another country with an affinity to barefoot walking is South Africa. In the National Guidelines on School Uniforms, shoes are listed as an optional item. When you visit South African malls and shops, it’s not out of the ordinary to see adults and kids walking barefoot. During the summer months, it’s also common to see people walking barefoot in public. This practice is similarly popular in Australia, particularly for young people.
In the US, it is generally taboo to walk barefoot in public. In addition, many shops and restaurants have dress codes that prohibit this practice. Perhaps in the coming years, there will be increased awareness around grounding for health that will make earthing a more common practice.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the importance of grounding yourself
Here are some popular questions and answers about grounding that will enhance your understanding of this topic:
What does it mean to do grounding?
Grounding is the practice of connecting your body to the earth’s natural energy by walking barefoot on the ground. It’s a way to recharge your body and mind with the earth’s natural energy and bring yourself back to a more balanced state. Essentially, it’s like plugging yourself into the earth’s power source to recharge your batteries and feel more alive. So if you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or simply out of balance, taking off your shoes and walking barefoot on the earth can be a simple and effective way to feel more grounded and energized.
How do you practice grounding?
Practicing grounding is easy – all you need to do is take off your shoes and socks and walk barefoot on the earth! You can do it anytime and anywhere. The key is to make sure your feet are making direct contact with the earth, whether it’s grass, sand, dirt, or even concrete. It’s that simple!
If you’re feeling fancy, you can even try some grounding techniques like “earthing” or “grounding yoga” to enhance the relaxing effects. So next time you’re feeling stressed or out of balance, kick off your shoes and let the earth’s natural energy flow through you!
How long should you ground each day?
The amount of time you should spend grounding each day depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some people feel the benefits after just a few minutes of barefoot walking, while others prefer to spend more time on the ground to fully recharge. But the good news is, even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference! So if you’re short on time, don’t worry – even a quick barefoot stroll around the block can help you feel more grounded and energized. The key is to make it a regular part of your routine, so you can experience the full benefits of grounding over time. So kick off your shoes, take a deep breath, and let the earth work its magic!
What is grounding good for?
Grounding is good for so many things! It can help reduce stress, improve sleep, boost immunity, and even enhance athletic performance. When you’re grounded, your body is able to connect with the earth’s natural energy, which can help reduce inflammation, neutralize free radicals, and improve circulation. It also improves mood and mental clarity, which can help you feel more focused and productive throughout the day. And the best part is, you can practice grounding anytime and anywhere, so it’s an easy and effective way to improve your health and well-being. So whether you’re looking to boost your energy, reduce stress, or simply feel more connected to the earth, grounding is the perfect solution!
What is earthing vs grounding?
Earthing and grounding are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to slightly different things. Grounding is the practice of making direct contact with the earth’s natural energy, whether it’s through walking barefoot or using grounding products like earthing mats or sheets. Earthing, on the other hand, specifically refers to the practice of connecting to the earth’s natural energy while also being in direct contact with the ground, such as walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil. The term “earthing” was coined by researchers who found that the earth’s natural energy has a powerful impact on our health and well-being. So whether you’re grounding with an earthing product or earthing by walking barefoot on the ground, the goal is the same: to connect with the earth’s natural energy and feel more grounded and energized.
Why is grounding important?
Grounding is important because it allows us to connect with the earth’s natural energy, which has a profound impact on our health and well-being. In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded with electromagnetic fields and other forms of environmental pollution, which can disrupt the balance of our bodies and minds. Grounding helps to neutralize these harmful effects by bringing us back into alignment with the earth’s natural energy field. It reduces inflammation, improve circulation, boost immunity, and even promote better sleep. Beyond these physical benefits, grounding can also promote a sense of calm, balance, and connectedness to the world around us. By grounding ourselves, we are able to tap into the infinite energy and wisdom of the earth, and awaken to our true potential as human beings.
How do I start grounding myself?
Starting to ground yourself is easy! All you need to do is take off your shoes and walk barefoot on the earth. Whether it’s in your backyard, at the park, or along the beach, find a spot where your feet can make direct contact with the ground.
You can start with just a few minutes a day and work your way up as you become more comfortable. If you’re worried about hygiene or safety, you can try grounding products like earthing mats or sheets, which allow you to ground yourself while indoors.
Can you still ground with socks on?
While it’s possible to ground with socks on, it’s not as effective as grounding barefoot. Socks create a barrier between your feet and the earth, which can interfere with the flow of natural energy. However, if you’re unable to walk barefoot for any reason, try using grounding products like earthing socks. They are specifically designed to allow you to ground yourself while still wearing socks. These socks have conductive fibers woven into them, which help to maintain the connection between your feet and the earth’s natural energy. So while it’s not as effective as grounding barefoot, using earthing socks is still a good option for those who can’t or prefer not to walk barefoot.
Can grounding make you happy?
Yes, grounding can make you happy! When grounded, you connect with the earth’s natural energy – reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting a sense of well-being. Grounding increases the production of feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, which can help you feel more relaxed, happy, and connected to the world around you. And the best part is, you don’t need any special equipment or training to start grounding yourself – all you need is a patch of earth and your bare feet! So if you’re looking for a simple and natural way to boost your happiness and well-being, kick off your shoes and start grounding yourself today!
Earthing techniques and other benefits of grounding barefoot
Although grounding may be a lost art these days, walking barefoot absolutely affects our physical and mental wellbeing. It allows us to use all the muscles of our feet as nature intended, therefore promoting a healthy lifestyle. Keep in mind: humans have been around for hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of years. It wasn’t until very recently when sandals, moccasins, and cushioned shoes became a common practice.
During my own inner journey through life, I’ve found grounding to be one of the best natural medicines out there. It results in better sleep, enhanced brain activity, reduction of pain, better posture, enhanced body balance, and increased balance in hormonal levels. All of these have the profound ability to impact humanity for the better. Earthing also acts as an antidote to all of the electronic devices in our homes and communities that disrupt the body’s natural flow of energy.
Therefore, whenever possible, we should practice walking barefoot and utilize the ‘Earth’s natural healing energy to resolve our mental and physical woes. This will undoubtedly help us achieve harmony and balance in our lives.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article on the benefits of grounding. This kicks off the new part of my site called “the inner journey.” More content coming soon!
Happy Earth Day!
Jon
