What is Earthing? | Good Fronds - Sustainable living blog

Earthing or grounding is a wellness movement that taps into the energy of the Earth. Earthing is simply connecting your feet with Mother Nature. Although barefoot healing is nothing new, the Earthing movement has perhaps arisen as a remedy to a very modern day problem. It is probably fair to say that for most of us, it is rare that our bare feet actually make physical contact with the Earth.

According to the US National Library of Medicine website, studies show the health benefits of reconnecting our bodies to the Earth’s surface electrons. For the most part, the surface of the Earth is electrically conductive. Mounting evidence suggests that the Earth’s negative potential can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all our body systems. It has also been established that electrons from antioxidant molecules neutralise free radicals involved in the body’s immune and inflammatory responses. For an in-depth explanation, there is more written about Earthing on the Earthing Institute website. In brief, reconnecting with the Earth’s energy can benefit our health in lots of ways. Seems obvious right?

Earthing Health benefits?

Earthing is believed to have the following health benefits:

Reduces inflammation and pain
Improves circulation
Reduces stress
Promotes healing
Reduces toxins

Call it what you will Earthing, Grounding, Barefoot Healing, for me reconnecting with the Earth and getting back being in nature feels like a sigh of relief! Living and working in the city, although fun- can be testing at times. For me, getting out into nature at least once a week, being surrounded by trees, lying on the grass, staring at the horizon, it’s the best tonic.

There’s nothing like paddling in the sea, walking along in the shallow water to blow off the cobwebs and feel reinvigorated. So many of us spend weeks, if not months with our shoes on surrounded by concrete. Perhaps the Earthing movement has arisen as an antidote for this very reason? maybe we should all make a point to head out to nature a little more often, kick off our shoes and just be.