Earthing, also known as grounding, is the practice of walking barefoot on the Earth’s surface. Previous research indicates that earthing could promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.1 Incorporating grounding into your occupational therapy routine is a great way to accelerate your progress, and enjoy being outdoors. It is important to note that earthing should be performed in a safe, clean area, free from hazardous chemicals, contaminants, or unsafe sources of electricity. As always, please contact your primary care provider about performing earthing safely, or to discuss your specific health concerns.
Feel free to head to the beach, and kick off your shoes to enjoy some of the eight benefits of earthing mentioned here!
1. Stress Reduction: Earthing could be used to reduce stress and cortisol levels in the human body. Particularly, research has shown that earthing could reduce stress and cortisol levels in individuals who experienced chronic stress.2 Therefore, earthing could provide a medication-free way for individuals to alleviate their stress and anxiety levels.
2. Better Sleep: Earthing has been found to improve sleep in individuals who suffer from insomnia. Findings from research studies suggest that earthing was associated with a decrease in sleep latency and an increase in total sleep time.3, 4 Since sleep quality could impact cognitive function, earthing could help occupational therapy patients to improve the quality of sleep for patients to enhance their mental wellbeing.
3. Improved Mood: People love being in a good mood! Earthing has the potential to improve mood in individuals with depression and anxiety. Research evidence suggests that earthing is associated with an increase in positive mood states and a decrease in negative mood states.5 Consequently, engaging in earthing could boost the overall mood of patients in occupational therapy settings.
4. Decreased Pain: We know that pain can be miserable. However, earthing could reduce pain in individuals with chronic pain conditions. Studies have found that earthing was associated with lower pain intensity and an increase in range of motion.1, 6 Occupational therapy patients could use earthing as a medium to reduce their pain levels and increase compliance with prescribed physical activities.
5. Increased Circulation: Get your blood pumping with exercise outdoors! Earthing could be utilized as a tool to improve circulation in individuals with poor circulation. One study found that earthing was associated with an increase in blood flow and a decrease in inflammation.6 In conjunction with exercise, earthing could give individuals the boost they need to feel energized, and motivated to achieve their occupational therapy goals.
6. Reduced Inflammation: Inflammation can wreak havoc in the human body. Luckily, earthing has been identified as a way to reduce inflammation in individuals with chronic inflammation.7 Specifically, past research has found that grounding was associated with a decrease in inflammation markers.7, 8 Since inflammation in the human body is responsible for a range of ailments, occupational therapy patients could explore using earthing to lower their inflammation levels and promote wound healing.
7. Enhanced Motor Function: In individuals with motor impairments, earthing has been determined to be effective in improving motor function. Research evidence has shown that earthing could be associated with an increase in dexterity and an improvement in motor coordination.8 Go ahead, wiggle your toes in the sand, or grass!
8. Improved Immunity: Get fortified against the common cold and flu via earthing. Research findings indicate that earthing improved immunity in individuals with weakened immune systems. In addition, earthing has been found to be associated with an increase in immune cell activity.9
The various benefits of earthing should give us all reasons to enjoy the outdoors, while connecting with the earth. Relax, recharge, and get better, faster.
References
1. Menigoz, W., Latz, T. T., Ely, R. A., Kamei, C., Melvin, G., & Sinatra, D. (2020). Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. Explore, 16(3), 152-160.
2. Ghaly, M., & Teplitz, D. (2004). The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 10(5), 767-776.
3. Lin, C. H., Tseng, S. T., Chuang, Y. C., Kuo, C. E., & Chen, N. C. (2022). Grounding the body improves sleep quality in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease: A pilot study. In Healthcare, 10(3), 581.
4.Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth's surface electrons. Journal of environmental and public health, 1-8.
5. Chevalier, G. (2015). The effect of grounding the human body on mood. Psychological reports, 116(2), 534-542.
6. Sinatra, S. T., Chevalier, G., & Sinatra, D. (2022). Vitamin G. Grounding as Energetic Nutrition and Its Role in Oxidative Defense and Cardiovascular Disease. In Nutritional and Integrative Strategies in Cardiovascular Medicine (pp. 359-368). CRC Press.
7. Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of inflammation research, 8, 83–96.
8. Dasha, P. (2023). Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. Explore, 16, 152-160.
9. Mousa, H. A. L. (2017). Prevention and treatment of influenza, influenza-like illness, and common cold by herbal, complementary, and natural therapies. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, 22(1), 166-174.