By Michele Reger
Artwork in my office reads, “If you’re not barefoot, you’re overdressed.” It’s fitting for a Foot Zone session, where you receive therapeutic touch on your feet for health and balance throughout your body. But otherwise, what good is going barefoot?
Summer is the perfect time to kick off your shoes and explore the benefits of connecting barefoot with the Earth’s surface. Grounding, or earthing, is the practice of standing or walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil, making direct contact with the Earth’s surface. It might sound like a silly trend, but research increasingly shows measurable benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
When your bare skin touches the Earth, your body absorbs free electrons through Earth’s subtle electrical charge–its natural energy field. These negatively charged electrons are nature’s most powerful antioxidants, helping to neutralize free radicals that cause inflammation. Unchecked inflammation in your body contributes to health conditions and imbalances in mental and emotional wellness. Grounding, then, is more than a barefoot stroll; it’s a way to support overall well-being.
Numerous studies have documented that regular grounding reduces muscle pain, joint stiffness, and physical discomfort. A decade ago, PubMed Central® collected data from a dozen studies showing how the simple practice of earthing lowers inflammatory markers in the blood, promoting faster healing of wounds, injuries, and fractures. Less inflammation means less pain in the body–helpful for management of chronic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Evidence shows that grounding reduces blood viscosity–the thickness and stickiness that is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Research published in 2013 in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that just two hours of grounding reduced the clumping rates of red blood cell clusters by more than half, indicating improved blood flow and velocity. Thinner, free-flowing blood improves circulation and reduces the risk of clotting.
Grounding has also been linked to deeper, restful sleep. Reconnecting with Earth’s energy field balances your body’s circadian rhythms and lowers cortisol. While sleeping outdoors on the ground is not ideal, mats or sheets that connect to the grounding port of an electrical outlet mimics the same effects, allowing your body to receive Earth’s negatively charged electrons. Benefits may be noticed after just one night of sleeping on grounding mats or spending an hour earthing in the evening.
Beyond physical health, grounding supports mood regulation, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. Chronic inflammation in the body disrupts neurotransmitters that control mood and emotional health, but grounding reduces the oxidative stress that causes inflammation. In addition, connecting with nature calms the nervous system, promotes well-being, and soothes anxiety.
Grounding, or earthing, is a free, easy, natural way to support your health. You don’t have to walk barefoot–instead, find a spot where you can sit or stand with your feet on the grass, sand, or soil or in a body of water; alternatively, enjoy earthing by connecting the bare skin of your hands, arms, or legs. In addition, grounding mats or sheets allow you to receive the benefits in a comfortable indoor space! The Earth just might be the most overlooked wellness tool we have. Reconnect with it today!
