11 Benefits of GROUNDING Backed by Research
WHAT IS GROUNDING?
Grounding (or earthing) is the simple practice of connecting your body with the physical earth.
Throughout history, humans would have spent much of their day in contact with the earth during walking, sitting, and sleeping.
It is hypothesized that the negative electrical charge of the earth recalibrates our biological clocks and provides electrons to act as antioxidants.
In our modern world, we are disconnected from the benefits of grounding because we spend much of our time indoors or wearing shoes.
Grounding has been studied and found to improve many markers of health:
BENEFITS OF GROUNDING
reduce inflammation & pain
increase energy
accelerate wound healing
promote relaxation
improve mood
shift to parasympathetic mode
relieve muscle soreness
support healthy circulation
improve sleep
recalibrate circadian & cortisol rhythms
HOW TO GROUND
walk or sit barefoot outdoors in contact with grass, soil, sand, etc for 30-40 minutes daily
use an indoor conductive earthing mat when sleeping
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References
Brown, D., Chevalier, G., & Hill, M. (2010). Pilot Study on the Effect of Grounding on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 16(3), 265–273. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0399
Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth’s surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 291541. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1155/2012/291541
Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., & Delany, R. M. (2013). Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 19(2), 102–110. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0820
Ghaly, M., & Teplitz, D. (2004). The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 10(5), 767–776. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1089/acm.2004.10.767
Menigoz, W., Latz, T. T., Ely, R. A., Kamei, C., Melvin, G., & Sinatra, D. (2020). Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. EXPLORE, 16(3), 152–160. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005
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, 8, 83. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.2147/JIR.S69656
Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2011). Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 17(4), 301–308.