What is Earthing: A Complete Guide to Nature's Hidden Health Benefits

Just like for every creature, grounding is a necessity for humans, too.

Let me paint you a picture: It's 6 AM in Queens, NY, and here I am, a formerly skeptical mom, standing barefoot on the wet grass while my teenage daughter stares at me through our window and rolls her eyes so hard I worry they might get stuck that way. "Mom's gone full hippie," she declares to all her friends. But hey, after spending years battling chronic inflammation and insomnia, I've learned that sometimes the most powerful healing tools are free and literally right under our feet!

I'll never forget the night I discovered grounding. There I was, 2 AM, bathed in the blue light of my laptop, watching a documentary about a mother's desperate search for healing for her chronically ill child. My heart ached as I watched their story unfold - the countless doctor visits, the sleepless nights, the mounting frustration. But then something magical happened. Someone suggested earthing to this mother, this simple act of connecting with the Earth's natural energy. Not only did her child's health transform over a few months, but the mother herself experienced profound healing, even losing 50 pounds in the process.

The next morning, still moved by what I'd witnessed, I vigorously Googled all there was to know about grounding and how to do it when you can't go outside. My next move, because when I’m in, I’m fully in, was to purchase grounding sheets, pillowcases and several grounding mats. I figure I can always return them, and I’d rather spend as much time grounding as I can since that's when I’ll see the quickest results, if any. And here's the thing - when you've spent countless nights staring at the ceiling and when you've tried every "miracle cure" and "revolutionary treatment" without success, you reach a point where even the seemingly ridiculous becomes worth trying. And let me tell you, connecting with the Earth's natural energy turned out to be the game-changer I never expected, just like it was for that mother in the documentary.

What is Earthing or Grounding? The Science Behind Walking Barefoot

Let's get real - when I first heard about earthing benefits, my inner skeptic was doing Olympic-level gymnastics. But here's what I've learned: our bodies are essentially electrical beings (fancy, right?), and the Earth's surface carries a natural negative charge. When we make direct contact with it, we're actually absorbing free electrons that can help neutralize harmful free radicals in our bodies. Turns out, you don’t need fancy supplements to fight free radicals. All you need is to be connected to the earth as much as you can (and eat real whole food, of course).

Think of it like this: remember those static shocks you get after shuffling across your carpet in socks? That's a built-up electrical charge. We don't want that. Grounding is like having a natural surge protector for your body, helping to maintain your optimal electrical state. I mean, if every house or building needs to be grounded, why shouldn't we?

The Science of Earth Connection

• The Earth's surface carries a natural negative charge rich in electrons

• Our modern lifestyle (rubber shoes, indoor living) has disconnected us from this natural energy

• Direct skin contact with the Earth allows electron transfer

• These electrons act as natural antioxidants in our bodies

Being connected to the earth, as we were meant to be, is not only good but necessary.

My Personal Journey with Earthing Techniques

After my first week of morning "grass walks" in my yard, sleeping on my sheets and touching my mat as much as possible, something remarkable happened. The chronic pain in my joints that had been my constant companion started to fade. My sleep improved so dramatically that I actually started waking up before my alarm - something my family found more shocking than my new barefoot lifestyle! But most importantly, the biggest shift was in my mood. Whereas before, I lived my life in a semi-depressed, don't want to do anything state. Now I find myself getting things done around the house, smiling, and even joking around, and for me, this is huge. 

Practical Ways to Get Grounded (Even in the Concrete Jungle)

Living in NYC, I had to get creative with my grounding practices. Here are my tried-and-tested methods:

• Beach grounding, sitting under a tree, putting your feet in the lake or gardening.

• Using a grounding mat under my desk or keyboard during work hours

• Investing in earthing sheets for overnight benefits

• Wearing conductive shoes when barefoot isn't practical

The Benefits That Made Me a Believer

Remember that inflammation I mentioned? After just 3 weeks of consistent grounding practice, I was amazed at my results. But the benefits didn't stop there:

• My sleep quality improved dramatically (goodbye, 3 AM anxiety scrolling!)

• Stress levels dropped significantly (my daughter says I'm "almost cool" now)

• Energy levels increased (I actually wake up without feeling like I got hit by a truck)

• Recovery time after workouts decreased (the more I ground, the better I feel)

• My immune function seems stronger (I’m finally shaking off that bronchial congestion I’ve had for 3 months)

• I noticed that I'm not always cold anymore (ask my guy; he will laugh at how many layers I was constantly wearing, day and night)

• My mood has shifted noticeably (I actually feel like I want to do things, before I had to force myself)

Product Comparison: What Actually Works?

Let's talk about grounding products because, let's face it, sometimes walking barefoot in NYC isn't the most hygienic choice:

Grounding Mats:

• Best for: Office workers and home use

• Pros: Convenient, portable, can be used while working under your feet or your keyboard

• Cons: Need to maintain skin contact, can be pricey (but it's either a mat or working outside with a least one toe touching a tree… seems uncomfortable)

Earthing Sheets:

• Best for: Overnight grounding

• Pros: Passive grounding while you sleep

• Cons: Higher initial investment than a mat but they are usually made of organic cotton and silver, so it's nice to sleep on

Grounding is free. The only problem is that society is set up to make us so busy that we don't have time.

Common Questions (That Won't Make You Feel Silly)

Trust me, I had ALL the questions when I started. Here are the ones I was too embarrassed to ask initially:

• "Do I really have to be barefoot?"

Yes, or use conductive materials - your cute rubber-soled sneakers won't cut it! A grounding mat, sheet/pillow will work for your home. If you spend a lot of time outside, I suggest grounding shoes. 

• "How long should I do this?"

Start with 15-30 minutes daily. But, honestly, just like the deer, bear or mouse in the woods who spend their whole life grounding, the more the better. That’s when you will see the greatest shift. 

• "Does it work indoors?"

Yes, with proper grounding equipment (like grounding sheets, pillowcases and mats) connected to the electrical ground port or grounding rod outside. 

• "I live in a city/apartment - is it even possible for me to practice grounding?"

Absolutely. As long as you have an outlet, you can ground. Or, you can always spend as much time as you can barefoot outside. 

• “How do I know if grounding is actually working? What should I feel?"

This was my constant worry during those first few weeks. Some days, I felt tingles; other days, nothing at all. I questioned everything until I started noticing subtle but significant changes in my sleep patterns, mood and energy levels. (Also, I did purchase a multimeter to verify if these products actually worked, and they do)

• "Is this just another wellness trend, or is there real science behind it?"

Oh, how I wrestled with this one! As someone who spent years chasing every health trend that promised healing, I needed more than just anecdotal evidence. There is real peer-reviewed research on this, but we are the only creatures that aren't constantly grounded. If you look at it from that perspective, then it's weird that we are so disconnected. 

• "What's the minimum time needed each day to see benefits?"

I don’t think anyone can answer that definitively. Everyone is different and has different ailments. You gotta try and see, but once again, the more, the better. 

• "Can grounding help with my specific health condition (anxiety/inflammation/autoimmune issues)?"

Yes. According to the research article I referenced below, “...grounding an organism produces measurable differences in the concentrations of white blood cells, cytokines, and other molecules involved in the inflammatory response.” And, “Grounding reduces pain and alters the numbers of circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes, and also affects various circulating chemical factors related to inflammation.”

• "What about winter? Do I have to freeze my toes off to get benefits?"

Trust me, standing barefoot in February in New York was NOT on my bucket list! If you get some of the items I talked about above, you don't need to worry about frostbite.

• "How do I know if grounding products actually work? Aren't they just expensive gimmicks?"

After spending more money than I care to admit on wellness products and supplements over the years, this question was especially important to me. If you are curious, I have found YouTube videos that can help you make a DIY grounding sheet. Not sure if it’s cheaper, but you can try it. Also, if you buy any grounding product, you can buy a multimeter for 10 dollars on Amazon and check yourself. Make sure the multimeter has a 20 V setting. Otherwise, you will not get an accurate reading.

Grounding products, whether you buy or make them, help bring our bodies back into balance.

My Daily Grounding Routine

Here's what works for me:

• Morning: 15 minutes barefoot in the yard (or standing on/touching my mat (I have a few all over the house) while I get ready for the day )

• Work hours: Grounding mat under my desk or under the keyboard

• A mat on my couch for when I watch TV or write on my laptop

• Sleep: Earthing sheet and pillowcase for overnight benefits

• Weekends: Beach or park trips when possible (any excuse for a mini-vacation, right?)

• Earthing shoes for when I go outside

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You know, when I started this journey, I was just another overwhelmed NYC mom looking for answers. Now, I'm still an overwhelmed NYC mom, but one who's found a profound connection with the Earth's healing energy - and better sleep, which honestly feels like winning the lottery! Whether you're dealing with health challenges like I was or simply curious about natural wellness approaches, I hope this guide helps you take your first steps (barefoot, of course!) into the world of earthing.

Remember, healing is a journey, not a destination. And sometimes, the most powerful medicine is right beneath our feet.

Stay grounded (pun absolutely intended!),

Dominika 🌿

P.S. Feel free to share your own grounding experiences in the comments below! And no, my daughter still hasn't stopped rolling her eyes at my morning rituals, but now she occasionally joins me - when none of her friends are watching, of course! 😉

P.P.S. I checked Amazon, and they have many shoes that say grounding, earthing or barefoot shoes, but only one pair was actual, real grounding shoes that have metal on the bottom connected to the metal inside the shoe. They seem to have good reviews. If you like them, try them. I can’t vouch for them. However, I got mine from Etsy. They're all leather and have a copper rivet inside. They're really comfortable and the leather forms to your foot. There are many sellers there to choose from, so check out all of them. If you're interested in who I purchased from, the shop was called HandmadeBarefootShoe. Make sure you measure your foot according to how they specify. I am not affiliated with this or any seller. 

However, there were a few grounding mats I saw on Amazon that were around 20-30 dollars and had pretty good reviews. I haven’t tried them. I purchased my sheets, pillowcases and mats from ZenLife, and I love how I feel. I’m glad I got them, but feel free to get them wherever you’d like. 

Last but not least, when you purchase any of these products, make sure you are touching them directly with your skin. If you have special grounding socks made of 100% natural materials, great. If you don't, you must have your bare skin touching them. Otherwise, you will spend money and not get any benefits and think the product doesn't work.

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References

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, 83–96. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S69656