Why We Love Earthing
By Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L
What Is Earthing?
Earthing, or grounding, is referred to the direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth, which connects the body to the natural electrical properties of the earth.
Think about the last time you ran around with your dog in the backyard, or walked in the sand at the beach. What feel do you recall from your memories? I remember feeling a sense of contentment, pure happiness, and well being that cannot be bought, but only received from the energy of the Earth.
What Does Research Say?
Research supports the healing powers of this practice that:
Improve sleep
Reduce pain
Reduce stress
Speed wound healing
Shift the autonomic nervous system from sympathetic toward parasympathetic activation
Normalize the day–night cortisol rhythm
Reduce blood viscosity
Why I Love Earthing as AN Occupational therapist
As an OT, I love earthing for so many reasons! I have listed a few bellow:
As a child learning to walk, earthing is so important because it exposes children to walking on different surfaces, textures and provides a natural sensory experience for the body!
Our brain and nervous systems are always communicating to each other, and this practice stimulates nerves and pressure points in the feet naturally to strengthen these connections and neural pathways.
Engaging in earthing/grounding while walking develops your balance and body awareness because the brain and so many of the muscles in your body will be deeply engaged in order to keep your body upright and from falling. *Note that earthing can also be completed sitting!
And lastly, this practice strengthens the musculature in the ankle and foot and helps to cue and improve posture!
Not to mention the natural foot massage you get from Mother Nature! Sign me up! :) And as a mom, wearing no shoes in the backyard is one less task I have to assist my child with when getting ready in the morning.
Note: It is important to remember that soil, grass, sand, or concrete are conductive surfaces from which your body can draw the Earth’s energy. Wood, asphalt, and vinyl are not. Take care in where earthing is done to avoid unsafe objects. At first, earthing can feel sensitive to the soles of our feet, but take your time and encourage your loved ones to to do the same. Enjoy and let us know how it feels!
References:
Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res. 2015 Mar 24;8:83-96. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S69656. PMID: 25848315; PMCID: PMC4378297.
