What is grounding?

Grounding is the simple act of our body making direct contact with the ground to allow it to energetically connect to the Earth's natural electrical charge. This connection aligns and stabilises our energy with the Earth's natural electromagnetic field, anchoring and allowing us to absorb nature's healing power.

The Science

Just as the Earth has an electromagnetic field surrounding it, the human body has its own bioelectric field. This bioelectric field is constantly exposed to positive charges from the atmosphere which primarily originates from the sun's rays. In the ionosphere, solar radiation breaks apart air molecules, creating both positive and negative charges. Due to the fact that the ionosphere retains most of the positive charges, we are continuously being exposed to these every day in the atmosphere around us. To maintain balance, excess positive charge must be offset with negative charges, as too much positive charge can disrupt the ion balance in our bodies, affecting cellular function and our overall biological stability. This leads to inflammation in the body, which plays a major part in many of our health issues, having an impact on our immune response, nervous system regulation, sleep and circadian processes, and stress reduction mechanisms.

The biological benefits of grounding

Maintaining a proper balance of electrical charges supports the bioelectric homeostasis and oxidative stress of our bodies and helps reduce inflammation caused by excessive positive ions. When the sun’s rays generate positive charges in the ionosphere, the accompanying negative charges collect mainly on the Earth's surface through natural phenomena such as rain, lightning and thunder. This flow of free electrons from the Earth helps restore balance to our bioelectric field. This means we have to consciously directly connect to the Earth's surface, for example by walking barefoot in nature - which is imbued with electrons - to allow this flow of electrons into our body. Connecting to the earth supports specific organs of our body and our tissues, cellular function and supports core biological functions. It helps regulate the immune system, autonomic nervous system, sleep quality and hormonal cycles. It’s like having antioxidants, but through the feet. These findings come from multiple clinical studies (which can be found online) showing how even a short grounding session can bring about measurable changes to core biological functions in the human body and support its potential as an accessible and natural therapeutic practice for improving whole-body health and preventing chronic diseases.

The Art and Science of Grounding

What are some ways to ground practically, realistically and effectively in our modern world?

In today’s urban environment and apartment living, grounding practically and effectively requires a creative approaches and commitment to practice.

Outdoors The simplest method is to spend time outdoors whenever we can, such as weekends, with our bare hands and feet in contact with grass, soil or natural water. The Earth’s surface carries negative ionic charges. When our skin touches it, electrons transfer into our body. Imagine the free electrons being absorbed into your body as you spend time in nature. Bask in its healing properties, because along with the physical health benefits, this also helps shift the brain shift to a relaxed alpha state.

Meditation Make mindful meditation a daily practice, even if it's just for 5-10 minutes. Close your eyes and imagine roots growing from your feet deep into the Earth's core is a powerful way of grounding spiritually and is equally beneficial on your mind/body. Another visualisation is to close your eyes and focus on pulling the negative charge of the Earth through your feet and into your hands. This can cause a tingling sensation as your palms become energised like magnets, activating energy flow along the meridians in your body and promoting healing.

Resources Using grounding mats, sheet, earthing rods connected to the ground outside, barefoot contact with balcony soil or natural stones can substitute for direct Earth connection.

Why modern humans struggle to absorb electrons

Our early ancestors walked barefoot, maintaining a natural connection to the Earth. This helped regulate their body's electrical balance. Today, with our busy lifestyles and concrete environments, we insulate ourselves in many ways, often without realising that it is this disconnection that is contributing to the majority of our common health issues.

Imagine a typical day in our lives. We get out of bed, put our shoes on, go to work or school in an insulated building/classroom, then return home to spend the evening indoors - on the couch, doing homework, or sleeping in an ungrounded bed. Without realising it, we are insulating ourselves from Earth's electrons. The rubber-soled shoes we wear are the biggest culprit. Rubber acts as a barrier, blocking the flow of electrons from the Earth and interrupting their natural flow through our bodies. Over time, this lack of grounding has been linked to various inflammation-related disorders. Encouragingly, however, people with chronic pain who practice grounding consistently over a week often experience significant pain reduction. Grounding helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, allowing the body to heal and return to a balanced state. Since inflammation underlies many health issues, grounding is a natural way to help prevent these problems, due to the fact that the body cannot sustain inflammation when it's grounded.

Grounding as a spiritual practice

Indigenous practices, Eastern traditions and modern spiritual interpretations highlight the connection between humans and nature. It teaches the practice of connecting to Mother Earth, the deep bond with the planet that sustains and reminds us of our place within the larger web of life. For spiritual practitioners, this connection serves as an anchor in meditation and mindfulness, to restore inner peace and gratitude for our place on the Earth.

The common understanding throughout the many spiritual teachings is that our connection to the Earth and nature and the Universe around us is a fundamental aspect of wellbeing, nurturing both body, mind and spirit. Whether through direct contact with the earth, water immersion, mindful presence or meditating in nature, grounding supports balance and healing, encouraging a holistic view of health and spiritual harmony.