Grounding: Not Pseudoscience, But a Proven Practice

Go outside, slip off anything that might be covering your feet, and touch grass. If you were to follow these simple steps, you would be grounding, or as some call it, earthing. Health researcher Gaétan Chevalier defines grounding as having direct body contact with the ground, like your feet to grass. But, you might ask, why? Grounding is more than being outside, it is also being connected to the ground, and with that comes numerous health benefits.

But what is the science of grounding? Medical doctor Stephen T. Sinatra explains that aging as well as the most debilitating diseases are caused or at least associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Grounding provides a type of “electric nutrition” which provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (Sinatra). Sinatra analyzed 12 peer-reviewed studies regarding grounding and all studies showed significant outcomes in regards to grounding. Though putting feet to grass is a great way to ground, there are other various methods. For example, purchasing grounding sheets, swimming in the ocean, or using a grounding mat. 

In a 6-week double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), a group of therapists in California “were not grounded for the first week, were grounded while working on clients and at home while sleeping for the next four weeks, and then ungrounded for the last week” (Chevalier). The study showed that whenever people grounded, it improved their life in multiple ways such as: increased physical function, more energy, less fatigue, and a decrease in depressed mood. 

A notable reason for both teenagers and adults to ground is its ability to reduce stress (Sinatra). According to the American Psychological Association, teen stress is comparably high as the stress of adults (Bethune). Many teens claim that as a result of stress, they also feel “overwhelmed (31 percent) overwhelmed (31 percent) and depressed or sad (30 percent)” (Bethune). Grounding is natural, often free, and can take as little or as long as a person chooses. Grounding studies note participants’ grounding sessions being a mere 30-minutes (Sinatra). 

The next fair-weathered day would be a great time to test the benefits of grounding. Try logging your levels of pain, stress, and energy before and after your session for optimal results.

Sources: 

Bethune, Sophie. “American Psychological Association Survey Shows Teen Stress Rivals that of Adults.” American Psychological Association, 2014, www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/02/teen-stress.

Chevalier, Gaétan, et al. “The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers’ Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” EXPLORE, vol. 15, no. 3, May 2019, pp. 181–90, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2018.10.001.

Oschman, James, et al. Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing) Earthing or Grounding Health Benefits; Frequency Specific Microcurrent View Project Grounding Project View Project. Sept. 2017, joaomfjorge.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/electricnutritionbysinatraoschmanchevalier.pdf.

• Grace Ann Conn, Hot Springs, AR, 12th Grade, Instagram-@its.graceannc