Grounding: How connecting to nature might improve your health

We’ve all experienced that refreshing feeling of getting outside after a long day cooped up in the office or home. Fresh air, blue skies and a cool breeze can make us feel lighter and brighter.

A barefoot stroll in nature can immediately lift your mood. What’s more, experts now say that getting up close and personal with nature has physical and mental health benefits, making it something we should all be doing more often.¹

One way to experience the therapeutic benefits of natures is through ‘grounding’. But what, exactly, is this practice? And how can you make it part of your everyday life?

Grounding asks us to imagine the earth beneath our feet as a gigantic battery that’s storing an electromagnetic charge. Near the Earth’s surface, there’s an accumulation of subtle negative charge. Grounding enthusiasts believe that direct contact with this surface charge can help restore your body’s connection with the earth.

Some research suggests that grounding can positively influence your physical and mental health by helping to reduce inflammation, pain and stress, while encouraging a sense of wellbeing.²

However, others are on the fence about the benefits of grounding. And, as some argue, it might even put you at risk of things like foot injuries, allergic reactions and insect stings.³

In its simplest form, grounding occurs when your skin touches the natural world, whether it’s sand on a beach, water in a lake or grass on the ground.

So, grounding can be achieved by simply making skin contact with nature. This could involve a planned barefoot trip through a forest or beach, or it could be as easy as taking a barefoot stroll through the garden. It could also involve laying down on the grass or sand (no towel though!).

Like any outdoor activity, grounding requires sensible caution. This might mean that you:

• check the weather before heading outside
• ensure that the area is clean and free of unhygienic elements such as dog droppings
• ensure that the grounding objects or surfaces don’t pose risk of injury, infection or harm. For example, check that there aren’t any insects that might bite, or sharp rocks or glass
• wash any parts of your body that made contact with the elements to remove any dirt or debris, following your grounding session.

Grounding is not a substitute for medical treatments. It’s always a good idea to talk with your health professional to clarify any concerns about foot health and safety before exposing your bare feet to nature for an extended period.