What Is Earthing?

Earthing

Earthing — also known as grounding — is based upon the discovery that connecting to the Earth’s natural energy is a foundation for vibrant health. Earthing simply means to have direct bare skin contact with the Earth either by walking barefoot outside on grass, sand or dirt or by connecting to an indoors Earthing product.

The Earth is a conductor of free electrons and, because the human body is composed mostly of water and minerals, so we are. When we have bare skin contact with the Earth, free electrons are taken up into the body. These electrons help to neutralise and balance out an excess of damaging free radicals in our body which, if left unchecked, can cause inflammation. Chronic inflammation is now widely acknowledged as one of the primary factors contributing to premature aging, pain, fatigue, poor sleep, auto-immune disorders and chronic disease. Earthing can dramatically reduce and even eliminate inflammation and the associated pain and discomfort making it the most natural and power anti-inflammatory solution around.

Discover more about inflammation in the body

Earthing also helps to harmonise and stabilise the body's basic biological rhythms. The human heart, brain and nervous system are electrical sub systems operating within our bioelectrical bodies. The Earth’s surface has a negative charge and when we connect to it, the Earth restores the electrical stability of our body, which allows us to better self-regulate and heal, thereby promoting well-being, vitality and better sleep.

The Great Disconnect

Throughout history humans have walked barefoot, slept on the ground and cultivated the land with their bare hands. Over time our modern lifestyle has disconnected us from the Earth’s energy through the widespread use of insulated rubber or plastic-soled shoes, sleeping on insulated mattresses and living in homes off the ground.

Our homes and offices surround us with man-made electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices, smart phones, WiFi, micro waves and cell towers which assail us continuously with a positive charge and excess free radical damage to our tissues and cells.

In recent decades the incidence of chronic diseases, allergies, auto-immune conditions, and insomnia has sky-rocketed in modern societies. One overlooked reason for this is that the immune system is functioning less efficiently as humans are increasingly disconnected from the Earth’s energy. Electrons from the Earth are a vital nutrient for our body to counteract the damaging effects of our modern lifestyle.

The Health Benefits of Earthing

Earthing has been shown to help with:

Reduction of inflammation
Reduction or elimination of pain
Improved sleep
Reduced stress, anxiety and irritability
Feeling calm
Improved energy levels
Improved immune function
Improved digestion
Accelerated healing of injuries
Improved blood circulation, blood pressure and thinner blood
Harmonisation and stabilisation of the body's basic biological rhythms
Accelerated recovery from intense athletic activity
Relief from muscle tension and headaches
Reduction in snoring
Reduction or elimination of jet lag
Fewer hormonal and menstrual symptoms
Reduced electro sensitivity
Protection against the potentially harmful biological effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Alertness, reduced fatigue and easing of strains and tensions involved in long distance driving (when grounded to the metal frame of a vehicle)

Getting Started With Earthing

Getting started with earthing is as simple as being barefoot outside. Go outside and give it a try and see what a difference it can make to your pain and stress levels. For optimal health we recommend at least 30 minutes of earthing each day. Grass, sand, dirt and plain concrete are the best conductive surfaces and even better when they're damp. Swimming in the ocean is also a wonderful way to earth.

However, for those times when outdoor earthing simply isn't possible, our range of indoor earthing products is a terrific way to start earthing at home at your own convenience.

Earthing Indoors

Conductive indoor earthing products have been designed to bring Earth's natural healing energy directly to your body even when indoors. The products themselves are made from conductive materials and use conductive wires to connect to the Earth in two ways:

1. Using a standard powerpoint in your home

Indoor earthing products can be connected via a standard powerpoint in your home or office as the powerpoint is already earthed. The custom-designed, non-electrical earthing plug connects only to the earth wire in the powerpoint. The other two pins are made from plastic so no electrical power is used. One end of the conductive cord is then inserted into the plug and the other end attaches to the conductive earthing product, e.g.: an earthing sheet. The earthing plug is safe, non-electrical and can not be used like an appliance plug.

It is recommended you check your powerpoint first with an Outlet Tester to ensure the powerpoint is wired correctly and safely.

2. Using a grounding rod

Alternatively, you can connect your conductive indoor earthing product direct to the Earth by inserting a grounding rod into the Earth around your home or office. The conductive lead then attaches to the grounding rod at one end and to the conductive Earthing product at the other end.

Indoor earthing products are a convenient way to fit earthing into your daily life while you work, rest or sleep and there is a product to suit every need. Check out our range of earthing products and starter packs.

Earthing Research

There are many peer-review studies on the health benefits of earthing Please refer to our Earthing Research page for more information.

What Do People Say About Earthing?

Everybody's experience with earthing will be different depending on individual circumstances. Some people notice an immediate difference once they start earthing and for others it might be a more subtle change over time.

Many people report better sleep and reduced stress once they start sleeping grounded and sometimes pain that they have had for several years disappears almost overnight.

Some people even report experience a 'detox' effect once they start earthing. This is caused by a normalisation of the body's 'electrical system' which improves the body's ability to release accumulated toxicity and is usually short-lived.

Discover what people are saying about earthing

Is Earthing Suitable For Everyone?

Earthing is safe and natural, for people of all ages, young and old, but it is not medicine or a substitute for medical treatment. If you have a medical condition, see your health professional before you start

Research indicates that earthing the body affects physiological functioning in a variety of ways. Because of this, we strongly recommend that any individual taking medication to thin the blood, regulate blood sugar, control blood pressure, or to supplement thyroid activity should consult with their doctor before using earthing products, and then under supervision of their doctor monitor the medication. An adjustment in medication may be necessary.

For more information refer to The Earthing Institute's Medical Disclaimer and Medical and Medicine Considerations pages

Frequently Asked Questions?

Please visit our comprehensive Earthing FAQs page for even more information about Earthing.