Grounding

Let’s get down to earth—literally! Grounding, also known as earthing, is all about connecting your body directly with the Earth's surface. It’s as simple as kicking off your shoes and walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil, or using special grounding devices when you’re indoors. And trust us, it’s more than just a feel-good moment; it’s been well studied and is known to have loads of health benefits, both physical and mental.

How often do touch grass in a week?

So, what’s the science behind it? The Earth has a natural, subtle negative charge. When you touch the ground, those lovely negatively charged electrons from the Earth are absorbed by your body. This exchange is thought to neutralise free radicals (those pesky positively charged molecules) in your system, which can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and a host of other issues.

Let’s dive into some of the amazing benefits grounding has to offer:

Inflammation Reduction
Grounding has been shown to reduce markers of inflammation. By soaking up the Earth's electrons, you’re essentially neutralising free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. Studies suggest that grounding can lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improve blood flow, and support a balanced immune response. This makes it a potential natural remedy for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and more!

Improvement in Sleep Quality
Struggling with sleep? Grounding can help! By reconnecting with the Earth’s natural energy, it helps normalise your circadian rhythms and lowers nighttime cortisol levels (the stress hormone that keeps you tossing and turning). You’ll fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed.

Mental Health and Stress Relief
Need to de-stress? Grounding can give you that calming effect you’re looking for. Physically connecting with the Earth has been linked to reduced anxiety and stress. By lowering cortisol levels, grounding can help you stay calm, present, and emotionally balanced. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to practice mindfulness!

Improvement in Circulation
Grounding isn’t just good for your mind; it’s also great for your heart. It enhances blood flow, helping oxygen and nutrients reach every part of your body. This makes grounding beneficial for cardiovascular health and even recovery after injuries.

Recovery from Jet Lag
If you’ve ever felt out of whack after travelling, grounding might just be your secret weapon. It helps realign your body’s circadian rhythm, making it easier to recover from that dreaded jet lag.

How to Practice Grounding
Ready to get started? Grounding couldn’t be easier:

• The simplest way is to walk barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, sand, or dirt for at least 20-30 minutes daily. Even a few minutes can make a difference!

• Can’t always be outside? No worries! Grounding mats or sheets are designed to simulate the grounding effect indoors. These connect to a grounded outlet and bring the Earth’s energy to you—even when it’s too cold or rainy to go barefoot. Just make sure there’s no dirty electricity in your home when using them.

• And for those freezing winter months, you can even find footwear designed to ground you while keeping your toes toasty. Clever, right?

• Swimming in the ocean, lakes, or rivers also provides grounding benefits, as water is an excellent conductor of the Earth's energy.

Gud Stories

From Lucy:
For years, I struggled with insomnia and felt constantly exhausted. I tried everything—meditation, sleep aids, herbal teas—but nothing seemed to work. That’s when I discovered grounding, and honestly, it felt too good (and simple) to be true. But I was desperate, so I decided to give it a shot.

I started small by walking barefoot in my garden for just 10 minutes each morning. At first, I didn’t notice much, but after a week or two, I realised I was sleeping better. My nights became more restful, and I woke up feeling less groggy. I even started grounding during my lunch breaks, sitting on the grass while eating my salad. It became this peaceful part of my day that I really looked forward to.

The best part? My family noticed the change, too. I was calmer, less irritable, and my mood swings had eased. I explained the whole grounding thing to them, and now it’s a bit of a family affair—my kids love running barefoot in the garden with me, and my husband even bought a grounding mat for his home office. We joke that it’s our secret to staying sane during the chaos of daily life.

Grounding may not be a miracle cure for everything, but it’s made a massive difference in my sleep, stress levels, and overall mood. I’m so grateful I gave it a try!

So, how are you going to reconnect with Mother Nature and soak up those electrons? We’d love to hear how grounding helps you! For more tips, tricks, and deeper dives into how this simple practice can transform your health, join The Gud Community. Share your success stories and let’s grow together, grounded and calm.