What if I told you that the simple act of standing in your backyard for just thirty minutes each day could improve your health? And this isn’t just “hippie” science. Studies published as recently as 2022 are theorizing that the earth’s surface may be the anti-inflammatory drug we all need to not only treat chronic inflammation, but also to prevent inflammatory illnesses. Here are 7 shocking truths about grounding that may have you adding grounding to your upcoming New Year’s resolutions for the whole family.

1. Grounding is Anti-Inflammatory

Grounding means that you are in direct contact with the earth’s surface, allowing the earth’s natural electrical charge to deposit its infinite store of free electrons in your body. The earth has a natural electromagnetic vibration, also known as the Schumann Resonance, that vibrates at 7.83 Hz. This resonance and the free electrons from the earth have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that acts as a natural antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals in the body and minimizing acute and chronic inflammation.¹

My husband and I go for walks each day with our kids, and we are the ones in the neighborhood that walk barefoot. I can’t tell you the number of stares and questions we have received from people. Even our kids know that we don’t wear our shoes for our morning walks. And you know what? It feels great!

There is some debate on whether or not concrete gives the same affect as grass or dirt when it comes to grounding, but either way, walking without shoes leads to stronger foot muscles and a greater connection with the earth, and the number of nerve endings and sensory signals we receive through our feet is estimated to be in the thousands!

2. Grounding Improves Sleep

One of the first studies conducted on the relationship between grounding and sleep used a grounding sheet, a cotton sheet with conductive carbon or silver threads woven into the fabric, to study the effects of being grounded while sleeping. In the study, 12 participants were in pain and had trouble sleeping. After 8 weeks of sleeping grounded, their cortisol levels normalized, they noticed reduced pain and stress, and they experienced significantly better sleep.²

Now that the weather has finally begun to cool down – albeit only for a moment here in Texas – I have been spending between 3 – 6 hours outside with my kids, and I can absolutely attest that we are all sleeping much better. Even my husband has noticed that on the days he is able to spend an extended time barefoot outside with us, he sleeps significantly better.

3. Grounding is the Answer to Your Stress

The same study that looked at the benefits of grounding on sleep also noted that grounding has a significant impact on cortisol levels, and another study found that grounding mats can lower anxious behavior.³ But trust me, you don’t need a study to tell you this one is true.

In my personal experience, as soon as I step outside, I can feel an almost imperceptible, very mild tingling sensation starting in my feet that slowly rises throughout my body, and the deep and relaxed breath that comes with it feels amazing. Over the course of this last week, I spent almost 30 hours outside with my kids, and when I was barefoot and soaking up the sun, my stress was completely gone. And as a mom with three children that are three and under, a little stress relief is definitely a plus.

4. Grounding Accelerates Wound Healing

The next time you have an open wound, try using grounding patches around the area! Even though it might sound crazy, one study has found that grounding not only improves wound healing, but also accelerates it. This method of treatment has a noticeable reduction in the typical signs of inflammation around a wound such as redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function. In some instances, if grounding patches are applied quickly enough, some of these inflammatory indicators will actually be absent due to the effects of grounding.⁴

If the weather is less than ideal or you don’t have a backyard, try a grounding mat, grounding patches, or grounding sheets for an easy grounding session no matter the day or weather conditions.

5. Grounding Can Improve Muscle Soreness

Do you ever feel super sore after a hard workout? Then get outside! Two studies have demonstrated that grounding following exercises helps diminish delayed onset muscle soreness and lessen muscle damage after moderate exercise. Recently, I have been doing my daily workouts outside while my kids play, and even on days where I have lifted particularly heavy for me, I have noticed a significant decrease in my muscle soreness the next day. So the next time you work out, try going outside and letting your body connect with the earth, or use a grounding mat to help alleviate muscle soreness.^{5 6}

6. Grounding May Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

There are numerous studies that demonstrate the tremendous benefits that grounding has on various parts of the body that may help prevent the development of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in the world. One study found that grounding reduces the viscosity of blood and helps reduce clumping, while also increasing heart rate variability.⁷ As mentioned above, it also helps to reduce stress and thus has a positive affect on blood pressure levels as well.

7. It Feels Amazing

At the end of the day, nothing beats standing barefoot in the cool morning grass with the sun on your back. Prior to the early 1900s and the invention of rubber soles, humans were connected to the earth, whether they were hunting for bison on the open plains or wearing leather soled shoes around town. Being connected to the earth is what we have always known, and it’s only within the last 100 years that we’ve become almost completely disconnected. And not only are our shoes all covered in rubber and plastic, but the very idea of walking barefoot outside has become “dirty” to many people. What most people might not realize is that they are significantly impacting their health and the health of their kids by not allowing them to play in the dirt or go around barefoot as much as possible.

Conclusion

The next time you are feeling stressed, anxious, tired, sore, or just need a little pick-me-up, take a step outside, even for a moment. Let your body soak up the earth’s electrons and calm your mind and any smoldering inflammation you may be carrying. I hope this post helps to shed some light on the incredible benefits of grounding; if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them below.

If you are interested in my favorite grounding shoes, check out EarthRunners.com. And if you like this post, check out some of my other educational posts here.