Why You Shouldn't Sleep On “Earthing”
BY BETHANY HEITMAN
From lowering stress to improving your overall well being, research has shown that spending even just a few minutes outside each day has tons of different health benefits. But there’s a practice called Earthing that may have even bigger rewards.
Earthing (also called Grounding) involves walking barefoot on grass, sand, dirt or rock—and many believe that it can reduce chronic pain and fight fatigue. Intrigued? Learn a bit more about this wellness trend below.
Photo by Autumn Goodman
What Exactly is Earthing?
When your bare feet come into contact with the earth, some people believe that free electrons from the earth are absorbed into the body—and these free electrons act as antioxidants that can boost your health and help fight all kinds of ailments (like low energy or inflammation).
Interestingly, science tells us that water and minerals are the best conductors of electrons—and our bodies are primarily made up of these two elements. So, the thinking is that putting bare skin into contact with the earth makes it easy for us to absorb its benefits. Proponents say that Earthing can help with sleep, pain, stress, inflammation and blood flow.
Is There Science to Back This Up?
There is actual research that shows that Earthing may actually do all of these things. To date, there have been approximately 20 small studies done that have looked at the effects that Earthing has on the human body.
One of these studies found that people who spent a bit of time each day Earthing reported looking healthier and younger. Another study resulted in people feeling less pain, while participants in a separate Earthing study said their mood improved. And for what it’s worth, our resident health expert and Founder, Jen Widerstrom was turned onto it back in 2013, and because of the results, has since made it a part of her wellness regime with clients and of her own daily practice.
How to Practice Earthing
The easiest way to get your Earthing on is to step outside, slip off your shoes and walk around in the grass, sand or dirt. Next time you’re picnicking in the park with pals, take off your sandals as you sit and notice how the cool grass tickles your toes. Live near the beach? Walk near the water’s edge and feel the water lap over your feet.
But what can you do if you live in a city and it’s hard to find a spot to get barefoot? There are products called Earthing mats that mimic the electric current of the earth and can give you many of the same benefits. There are even ones that slip over your mattress, so you can get the benefits of Earthing at night while you sleep—like this one from Grooni. Whether you use one of these mats or are able to get outside for real, the best part is that you only need to do it for 5 to 10 minutes to reap the benefits.
By Bethany Heitman, Contributor
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