Some research indicates it can offer health benefits, and the practice is relatively safe. Hydrate well if you choose to go outside to practice earthing during warmer months. Walking barefoot on uneven ground could put you at risk for tripping and falling. You can raise your risk for injury, infection, or allergic reactions by walking barefoot or earthing in open water. A disrupted rhythm can raise your risk for diabetes, obesity, blood pressure problems, and more. Too much of this hormone can have negative effects on your health. Cortisol is necessary to control blood sugar levels and it plays numerous other necessary roles in the body. Grounding the human body improves mood and reduces stress. Grounding helps regulate the nervous system, improve mood, and promote relaxation, creating a hormonal balance that supports higher testosterone levels and better overall health. One man reported a 17% strength increase and deeper sleep within 2 weeks of morning grounding paired with cold showers. "Earthing" means walking barefoot on soil, grass, or sand (i.e., any natural surface). As yoga teacher, reiki master, and meditation expert Susy Markoe Schieffelin previously told mindbodygreen, "You begin by noticing that body part and then consciously relaxing it." Anything that's cooked, warm, cozy, and nutrient-dense is a good option, she previously told mindbodygreen, adding, "That could very easily be meat, starchy vegetables, or amazing oils and fats." Engaging your senses might sound too simple, but it's an incredibly easy and effective way to get your body involved in the present moment so your mind can catch up. However, the science behind it doesn't directly support claims of boosting testosterone levels. Check with a healthcare professional if you have symptoms of these conditions. The second study also relied on self-reports from the participants and didn’t account for a possible placebo effect. After 4 weeks, participants showed a general trend of stress reduction. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Try visualizing a space that would feel grounding to you, such as an open field next to a body of water, a mountain landscape, or even a spa. As Richmond tells mindbodygreen, spending time with loved ones or even pets can help bring your nervous system down from an elevated fight-or-flight state, which can certainly happen when you're feeling ungrounded. Richmond tells mindbodygreen that taking a hot or cold shower is another way to engage the body so you can get back to feeling grounded. They are used when a person feels "ungrounded," or otherwise stressed, anxious, or dissociative. Studies show grounding reduces cortisol levels within minutes. By calming the nervous system and restoring hormonal balance, grounding improves blood flow, sexual energy, and arousal control. Just 15 minutes of grounding has been shown to reduce inflammation markers linked to stress, brain fog, and anxiety.
