Why Grounding Matters: Reconnecting with the Earth

“We are learning that the Earth’s electrical energy maintains the order of our own bodily frequencies just as a conductor controls the coherence and cadence of an orchestra.” - Clinton Ober, Earthing (2nd Edition) 

Grounding (or Earthing) is the practice of walking barefoot so the soles of your feet come into contact with the surface of the earth. The notion of walking around shoeless may feel reserved for a particular type of nature enthusiast, however there is a long-standing understanding of the health benefits that come from connecting to the electrical currents omitted from the ground.

Modern Life = Disconnection

Modern life has disconnected us from nature. Elevated beds, highrise buildings and rubber soled shoes have separated us from the electrical roots of this planet. As Ober calls it, we are “Earth-starved.” 

French agronomist Matteo Tavera suggested in the late 1960s that it is not the chemical laden food and pollution that perpetuates inflammation and chronic illness in the modern person, blaming it instead on our lack of contact with the natural environments we evolved in. He said wild animals survive so well alone because of their continuous contact with the Earth.

What’s Actually Happening in the Body?

Human cells are powered by mitochondria, the structures within them that create energy (ATP) from the diet and oxygen we ingest. Lack of nutrients, stress and pollution can lead to a buildup of free radicals (lone electrons that slow energy production, damage cells and in high concentrations, can lead to cellular disease.) Through the negative ions absorbed from the earth’s surface, the body can neutralise these free radicals, in turn supporting mitochondrial health and lowering inflammation. 

Easy Ways to Start Grounding:

So walk on dewy grasslands, swim in natural water, lean on a tree trunk, expose your skin to the raw earth, garden with your hands, and you might just find yourself feeling a bit more aligned and rejuvenated within. 

Art by Daisy Dodd-Noble, Banana, 2023