Get Grounded: Why Reconnecting to the Earth is Essential for Healing

Connecting to the Earth

When was the last time you walked barefoot on grass, sand, or soil and actually felt the Earth beneath you?

In our fast-paced, tech-driven world, we’re more connected to Wi-Fi than we are to the natural energy of the Earth—and it’s taking a toll on our well-being. A growing body of research suggests that grounding (also called earthing)—the practice of physically connecting to the Earth’s surface—may play a vital role in reducing inflammation, improving sleep, calming the nervous system, and accelerating healing.

What Is Grounding?

Grounding is as simple as making direct skin contact with the Earth—like walking barefoot on grass, lying on the sand, or swimming in natural water. This contact allows electrons from the Earth's surface to flow into the body.

As described in Clint Ober’s groundbreaking book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?, these electrons act as natural antioxidants, neutralizing excess free radicals in the body that contribute to inflammation and disease.

Ober’s work, alongside co-authors Stephen Sinatra, MD, and Martin Zucker, emphasizes how our disconnection from the Earth may be contributing to modern chronic illnesses, and how simply restoring that connection can have a profound effect on our health.

How Grounding Supports Healing

• Reduces inflammation: Grounding has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory markers in the blood.

• Accelerates wound healing: A 2007 pilot study found that grounding sped up healing in skin injuries.

• Improves sleep and recovery: Athletes who practiced grounding after intense physical exertion experienced less muscle soreness and faster recovery.

• Balances the nervous system: Grounding helps shift the body from sympathetic ("fight or flight") dominance into parasympathetic ("rest and digest") mode, supporting overall resilience.

Easy Ways to Ground Yourself

• Walk barefoot on the grass, beach, or dirt for 15–30 minutes a day.

• Sit with your hands or feet in direct contact with the ground.

• Swim in natural bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or the ocean.

• Use grounding mats or sheets that connect to the Earth via a grounded outlet (especially if you live in a city or cold climate).

• Gently rub the bottoms of your feet with a ferromagnetic or stainless-steel spoon when feeling ungrounded. Many people report a sense of calm and reconnection when using this simple tool to release excess energy or tension through the feet.

A Note on the Spoon Method

The practice of rubbing a ferromagnetic or stainless-steel spoon on the soles of the feet is rooted in energetic and holistic traditions. Being an Energy Medicine Practitioner, I recommend the spoon technique to my clients. I use the technique before I go to bed and know it improves my sleep. My clients experience similar results. It is an easy way to feel grounded. While many people find it calming and grounding, this technique has not been formally studied or validated by clinical research. As always, listen to your body and use practices that feel supportive to you. This method is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical care.

Final Thoughts

Grounding isn’t just a feel-good wellness trend—it’s a fundamental biological need. As Clint Ober puts it, “We are disconnected, and disconnection is a form of stress.” Reconnecting with the Earth is simple, free, and scientifically supported. Whether you’re dealing with chronic stress, poor sleep, inflammation, or just feeling energetically off—grounding may be the missing piece in your healing puzzle.

And when stepping outside isn’t always possible, simple tools—like a stainless-steel spoon—can offer an easy alternative to help you reconnect and reset.

Take your shoes off. Step outside—or grab a spoon. Let the Earth hold you. Your body already knows what to do.