Earthing–A Technique to Help Ground Your Body

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistory of EarthingShould I Practice Earthing?Types of EarthingHow to Practice EarthingBenefits of EarthingTips for EarthingMore Studies Are Needed

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History of Earthing

Should I Practice Earthing?

Types of Earthing

How to Practice Earthing

Benefits of Earthing

Tips for Earthing

More Studies Are Needed

Close

Earthing, also known asgrounding, allows people to directly connect their bodies with the Earth and use its natural electric charges to stabilize them.This practice involves walking barefoot outdoors or using indoor grounding systems while sleeping or sitting.

Although earthing can positively impact the mind, this form of grounding differs from the practice used in mental health treatment. Earthing research suggests reduced pain, stress, and inflammation and an improvement of overall mental well-being.This technique restores the connection between the body and the electrical currents of the earth.

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Throughout history,Indigenous societieshave espoused the Earth’s healing power benefits and described it in varying ways. For example, in Chinese medicine, the term Qi—pronounced “chee”—is defined as the vital energy that fills the universe.

Ancient philosopher Ge Hong said, “People reside within qi, and qi resides within people. From heaven and earth down to the ten thousand things, each one requires qi to live.”

This belief and study of the earth’s natural energies could also be found in Europe in the 19th century. In 1891 Louis Kuhne published “The New Science of Healing.“Then, Adolf Just wrote “Return to Nature” in 1896,which encouraged people to begin walking barefoot outdoors.

A few decades later, George Starr White,an American medical doctor, began investigating the use of sleeping while grounded—connected to copper wires affixed to home pipes—to improve the quality of sleep.

Modern scientists continue to advocate for Earth’s electrons' ability to balance our body’s electrical current. This grounding technique continues to grow and get mainstream attention as people search for simple, inexpensive ways to heal themselves.

There are signs that an earthing practice will benefit your life. You may want to try earthing if:

Mindful MomentNeed a breather? Take this free7-minute meditation focused on mindful walking—or choose from ourguided meditation libraryto find another one that will help you feel your best.

Mindful Moment

Need a breather? Take this free7-minute meditation focused on mindful walking—or choose from ourguided meditation libraryto find another one that will help you feel your best.

Earthing techniques focus on reconnecting your energy with the earth through direct or indirect contact. These methods include:

There are many ways to reconnect with the earth in your daily life and hopefully restore your body’s natural defense system.

Here are ways you can practice earthing:

Earthing can be a free and relatively quick way to positively impact your physical and mental health. Experts suggest 30 minutes is enough time to begin reaping the benefits. Whether you connect yourself to a metal rod outside or purchase grounding socks, you can easily incorporate earthing therapy into your wellness routine.

New treatments will emerge as modern scientists continue tapping into ancientholistic practices. Research shows a promising connection between earthing and measurable improvements in these health issues.

May Improve Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Disorders

A recent studyshowed that people who used grounding mats for four weeks decreased fatigue, sleep disruptions, and improved length of sleep. They also reported an improvement in their depression, stress, and pain.

May Boost Immunity

May Improve Heart Health

One studyshows that prolonged use of grounding techniques reduced blood pressure levels in those experiencing hypertension. And in a smaller study, grounding patcheswere used to minimize blood clumping.

Earthing, like other forms of treatments, isn’t a quick fix. It requires patience and perseverance; however, the benefits are encouraging. Here are some tips once you decide to add earthing as part of your healing journey:

More Studies About Earthing Need to Be Done

Modern research shows promising benefits of earthing, but it will take time to determine if these earth-derived electrons work as hard as scientists hope.

Earthing studies are under-researched and usually have fewer research subjects—sometimes 50 or fewer people. Also, scientists like Gaétan Chevalier, director of theEarthing Institute, have done studies that have not been consistently replicated. The lack of mainstream support and funding can slow down progress.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Sinatra D.Electric nutrition: the surprising health and healing benefits of biological grounding(Earthing).Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(5):8-16.Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190.Kuhne L.The New Science of Healing. Mokelumne Hill Pr; 1993.Just A [from old catalog, Lust B.Return to Nature! The True Natural Method of Healing and Living and the True Salvation of the Soul. New York, B. Lust; 1903.Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P.Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth’s surface electrons.Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012;2012:1-8.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;8:83-96.Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM.Earthing (Grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease.J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(2):102-110.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Sinatra D.Electric nutrition: the surprising health and healing benefits of biological grounding(Earthing).Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(5):8-16.Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190.Kuhne L.The New Science of Healing. Mokelumne Hill Pr; 1993.Just A [from old catalog, Lust B.Return to Nature! The True Natural Method of Healing and Living and the True Salvation of the Soul. New York, B. Lust; 1903.Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P.Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth’s surface electrons.Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012;2012:1-8.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;8:83-96.Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM.Earthing (Grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease.J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(2):102-110.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Sinatra D.Electric nutrition: the surprising health and healing benefits of biological grounding(Earthing).Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(5):8-16.Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190.Kuhne L.The New Science of Healing. Mokelumne Hill Pr; 1993.Just A [from old catalog, Lust B.Return to Nature! The True Natural Method of Healing and Living and the True Salvation of the Soul. New York, B. Lust; 1903.Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P.Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth’s surface electrons.Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012;2012:1-8.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;8:83-96.Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM.Earthing (Grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease.J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(2):102-110.

Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Sinatra D.Electric nutrition: the surprising health and healing benefits of biological grounding(Earthing).Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(5):8-16.

Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190.

Kuhne L.The New Science of Healing. Mokelumne Hill Pr; 1993.

Just A [from old catalog, Lust B.Return to Nature! The True Natural Method of Healing and Living and the True Salvation of the Soul. New York, B. Lust; 1903.

Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P.Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth’s surface electrons.Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012;2012:1-8.

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;8:83-96.

Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM.Earthing (Grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease.J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(2):102-110.

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