Getting your bare feet on earth is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce inflammation in the body. I also recommend it for helping your body to adjust to time zones (ie jet lag) in my book: Travel Balance.
Earthing, the process of obtaining a sense of connectedness with the earth by honing in on the body’s naturally occurring electrical frequencies and those of the earth, is an ideal way to optimize overall physical and mental health. Pioneers in the concept maintain that the earth’s electrons help neutralize free radicals, and by using the body as a conduit, it’s possible for such beneficial energy to be directly transferred to an individual.(1,2)
Removing barriers that hinder this process — shoes, gardening gloves or any other insulating item — and instead engaging in activities like walking barefoot on the grass or a beach for up to 30 minutes daily, or gardening (carefully) with bare hands, has been shown to be an effective way to stave off health problems.(1) Holistic and herbal experts explain that, by wearing rubber- or plastic-soled shoes, people are literally shielding themselves from the earth, putting up a barrier that prevents them from accessing better health; “we are limiting ourselves from untapped resources and thus restricting our exposure to the greatest antioxidant source in the world.”(2)
For those who are unable to engage in such activities, grounding technologies like earthing sheets, sandals and car seat covers serve to accomplish the same or similar goals.
How earthing helps health
Studies have shown that becoming grounded in this manner boosts energy, enhances the immune system, promotes faster healing and reduces stress. Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine has linked earthing with the ability to resynchronize cortisol secretion so that it is more balanced with its normal rhythm.(1) Cortisol is also referred to as the stress hormone.
Dr. Daniel Chong, who is a naturopathic physician licensed in the state of Oregon, says that earthing “saturates the healthy tissue in your body with negative electrons, creates a barrier through which these free radicals cannot pass, in turn protecting you from the outlying damage they would otherwise cause.”(3)
Earthing is effective for those looking for ways to reduce inflammation
He notes that earthing helps reduce inflammation which can lead to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and arthritis, and also explains that touching the earth helps boost blood flow.
Earthing is also a great way to reconnect with ourselves.
Getting outdoors and feeling things like soil, leaves and grass in this way has been said to be nourishing for the mind, body and soul, allowing people to feel at one with nature and the world.(4)
