It’s surprising how much nature can help us heal and feel better—through herbs, time outdoors, or even by letting bare feet touch the ground. This practice, called grounding or earthing, may sound too simple to matter, but there’s real science behind it.
I’ll admit I’ve only done it deliberately a few times, and I’m not going barefoot in winter. Still, after looking into the research I’m impressed by what grounding can do, especially for mental health. It can reduce stress, improve sleep and lift mood. And if the weather’s bad, you can use grounding mats and other tools indoors—though not all products are legit, so be careful.
If you’ve been feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed, or just off, this might help. Keep reading—you might be surprised by what something so simple can do.
What is grounding and how does it work?
The Earth has a natural electric charge made up of tiny, negatively charged particles called electrons. When your bare skin touches soil, grass, sand, or water, your body can pick up some of those electrons. That direct contact is what grounding or earthing is.
Research suggests this connection can reduce pain and inflammation, improve sleep, and support emotional balance. Modern life—spending time indoors, wearing rubber-soled shoes, and walking on concrete—blocks that contact, which is why grounding now often requires intent: going barefoot outside or using grounding tools indoors.
What does grounding do to the body?
Studies show grounding can cause real physiological changes. It’s been linked to reduced inflammation, better sleep, less pain, lower stress, and shifts in the nervous system that help you feel calmer.
Reviews of research note grounding may help regulate cortisol (the stress hormone), improve heart rate variability (a marker of resilience), and stabilize the body’s electrical activity. People who slept on grounding mats reported less pain, fewer sleep disturbances, and better wellbeing. Some saw improvements in conditions like PMS, asthma, and high blood pressure.
Even short sessions can produce quick changes. One small study found noticeable differences in brain activity, reduced muscle tension, and improved blood flow within minutes of grounding—signs the body was moving into a calmer state.
Because grounding influences the body’s electrical balance, it can affect many systems—sleep, inflammation control, and immune response among them. And all that from simple contact with the Earth.
Can grounding help mental health?
Yes—grounding can support mental wellbeing. If you’re stressed, anxious, tired, or low, grounding is a natural, low-effort thing to try.
Stress and anxiety
Grounding helps the body calm down physically and emotionally. In an eight-week sleep and stress study, people who were grounded during sleep reported less anxiety and irritability. Their cortisol patterns became healthier, especially at night, helping sync the body’s natural rhythm. Other experiments showed immediate changes in brain waves and muscle tension after short grounding sessions—signals the nervous system was settling down.
Sleep and mental fatigue
Poor sleep and brain fog can improve with grounding. Studies report people fall asleep faster, wake less at night, and feel more refreshed in the morning. Many also noticed more energy and better focus during the day, which lifts mood and clarity. Sometimes changes showed up after just a few weeks—or even after shorter sessions.
Mood and emotional balance
Grounding isn’t a cure-all, but it often supports emotional stability. Participants in various studies reported feeling more balanced and emotionally steady. One study with premature babies in neonatal care found that grounding helped them relax and regulated their nervous systems—if it works for such vulnerable infants, imagine what it could do for adults.
How to ground yourself at home
It’s easy—take off your shoes and step outside. Grass, soil, sand, or bare rock all work. Stand, walk, or sit barefoot for a while.
Gardening counts: touching soil with your hands while planting, weeding, or just resting on the ground is grounding. Water also works—standing in wet sand, dipping your feet in a river, or swimming in a lake or the sea all connect you to the Earth.
What if you can’t get outside?
If going outdoors isn’t possible—due to weather, living situation, or lack of access—you can use grounding products indoors. Mats, sheets, and patches can link you to the Earth via a wire that plugs into a grounded outlet or connects to a rod driven into the ground. There are also grounding shoes made of conductive materials.
Be careful when buying: not all products are genuine, so choose reputable sellers. More on that below.
How do you know if your outlet is grounded?
Outlets differ by country:
– Most of Europe: two round holes plus a metal pin or clips for grounding.
– Italy (Type L): three holes in a row, the middle one is ground.
– UK (Type G): three rectangular holes with built-in grounding.
– US and Canada (Type B): two vertical slots and a round hole below for grounding.
If your home’s wiring is done properly, outlets should be grounded. In older homes, an outlet might look grounded but not be connected. If unsure, check with an electrician or use a simple socket tester you can buy online.
Not all surfaces ground you
For grounding to work, your body needs to touch something that conducts the Earth’s electrons. Many modern materials block this. Surfaces that won’t ground you include:
– Concrete (unless unsealed and directly on the ground)
– Asphalt and tarmac
– Plastic, rubber, and synthetic floors
– Most wooden floors or decking, especially if raised or treated
Surfaces that do work include:
– Grass, soil, sand, and bare earth
– Natural rock or stone
– Water (lakes, rivers, sea)
– Living trees rooted in the ground (touching the trunk counts)
How long do you need to ground?
There’s no single perfect time, but about 30 minutes is often used in studies and can produce noticeable changes—less stress, lower inflammation, and better sleep. Even 10 minutes is better than nothing. The key is regular practice. People who grounded daily for weeks reported ongoing improvements in sleep, mood, and pain. Fit in what you can: a short barefoot break helps, but regular 30-minute sessions are ideal.
How to choose a real grounding product
If you use a grounding product, not all will work. Look for these things:
– Direct connection to the Earth. Real products plug into the earth part of a grounded socket or attach to a rod that goes into the ground. If it’s not physically connected, it’s not grounding.
– Proper materials. Good mats often use carbon or other conductive materials to transfer electrons. Avoid non-conductive cheap materials.
– Trusted brands. Choose companies with clear instructions, good reviews, and transparent explanations of how the product works.
– Testability. Some kits include a tester to confirm the mat conducts electricity. That’s useful for setup.
– Don’t judge by price alone. Expensive doesn’t guarantee quality, and cheap doesn’t always mean useless. Check materials and how it connects to the Earth.
If unsure, pick brands mentioned in grounding studies or books, or those with a solid track record.
Final thoughts
Grounding seems small, but its effects—especially for stress, sleep, and mental wellbeing—can be significant. Whether you walk barefoot outside, garden, or use a grounding mat indoors, it’s an easy habit to try and doesn’t cost much.
If you feel a bit off or want a natural way to support mood and energy, grounding is worth trying. No pressure—just a little daily connection with the Earth. Give it a go and notice how you feel.