What is Earthing?

Earthing or grounding involves putting the body into direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. This means the skin needs to touch soil, sand, water, or conductive material on the surface of the earth.

Clint Ober brought attention to the concept in 2010 with his book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever! He discovered the benefits of getting grounded after his health declined after years of working as a cable installer. He knew the importance of grounding from his career and decided to apply this knowledge to his own body. He essentially pioneered the modern Earthing movement.

From a scientific perspective, the idea is that the earth has a mild negative charge. Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies build up a positive static electric charge. This positive charge creates oxidative stress in the body. Direct contact with the earth’s surface can even out this positive charge and return the body to a neutral state.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have regular contact with the earth anymore. It’s leading some experts to wonder whether this contributes to today’s rising health problems. We wear rubber-soled shoes and live indoors so can go years without directly touching the earth.

When this positive charge builds up over time, it can lead to health problems. That’s where reconnecting to the earth through earthing mats or sheets comes in. Earthing products help us get grounded, which refers to connecting electrical devices to the earth for safety purposes.

What is Earthing vs Grounding?

Earthing and grounding are often used interchangeably, however they have subtle differences.

How Long Should You Ground Each Day?

There are no strict guidelines for how long you should ground each day. However, many experts suggest starting with 20 to 30 minutes to get potential benefits.

Consistency is key. Earthing daily, even 10 or 20 minutes, may be more beneficial than hour-long, infrequent sessions. However, committing to an hour a day might be better for those wanting to address chronic issues like inflammation, pain, or insomnia.

The benefits of earthing may build over time. Even 10-15 minutes a few days a week can help. Ultimately, whether you’re using direct contact or earthing tools indoors, the goal is regular use. Incorporating it into your daily routine improves your likelihood of noticing benefits.

Earthing: Bottom Line

This is a controversial topic and more research is needed. That said, in most cases (when there isn’t a strong ground current), it’s ideal to spend time barefoot outside or use a grounding sheet. Going barefoot has many benefits, and there aren’t side effects or downsides.