06/08/2025
Earthing. Gettin’ dirty. For good health!
By Angelo Fazzalari
I have a friend, let’s just call her Molly, who’s right into all things natural. You probably know the type. Loves herbal teas, looks suspiciously like she’s just stepped out the garden, wears essential oils, casually drops “chakras” into our conversations and recently tried to convince me that hugging trees improves your mood.
So, when Molly first told me about “Earthing”, I naturally assumed it was another one of her
mystical, hippy, nutter, wellness hacks.
“You just take off your shoes and stand on the ground,” she said, as if she was trying to offload a top-secret life changing strategy.
“Molly, that’s just called walking barefoot,” I cynically replied.
“Yeah, Naaah” she says, “It’s about connecting with the earth’s energy,” she insisted, her eyes twinkling like a girl who has solved the meaning of life.
Now. I like nature. I enjoy a long, off-road scenic trail run through the Adelaide hills, but in the safety of my well-cushioned, over engineered, uber expensive Salomon trail shoes (that look sooo cool I might add). But! Standing barefoot on dirt “to absorb electrons” as she puts it, from the Earth? That sounded like she had too many Kava’s from her last trip to Fiji.
So, with a science background, I wondered if there was actual ‘Science’ in this, as in fairness to Molly, I had heard of this ‘Earthing’ concept before.
Despite my scepticism, I did some digging around (pun definitely intended). Turns out, Earthing, or “Grounding”, is backed by research. Yes, there is Science of this! The idea is that modern life, filled with synthetic shoes, concrete jungles, and Wi-Fi signals bouncing off everything, disconnects us from the Earth’s natural electrical charge.
By making direct contact with the ground ie barefoot, no shoes or socks on grass, soil, sand, or even unpainted concrete, we supposedly absorb electrons that help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and lower stress. Some studies even suggest it can help with chronic pain and fatigue. Who’d have thought!?
For example, upon quick research I stumbled on this study by Ober CA, et al. Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? In Basic Health Publications in 2014. And this one by Chevalier G, et al. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth’s surface electrons in the Journal of Environmental Public Health in 2012.
Of course, all these articles end with the obligatory “more rigorous and large-scale research is needed to confirm these claims” standard conclusion.
So, being the open-minded, and slightly gullible individual that I am, I decided to give Earthing a try.
One recent freezing cold winter’s morning, after a return run along the paved esplanade from Henley Beach to Glenelg, I bravely kicked off my shoes and socks, walked out on to the beach sand, takeaway oat milk long macchiato in hand (I’m Lactose intolerant), feeling empowered and rediscovering nature.
At first, it felt... weird and cold. The sand was damp, the seaweed was….seaweedy, and I was 80% sure I had just squashed a jelly fish between my toes. But after a few minutes, something strange happened. I felt…Good! Not in a magical, lightning bolt of energy way, but more like a deep, relaxed state of my nervous system.
Placebo? Or maybe Molly was onto something after all??
Think about this……. When was the last time you touched the Earth with your actual skin?
Our ancestors were running around hunting and foraging barefoot! But we rush around from one artificial surface to another, wrapped in rubber soles like Crocs, Jimmy Choo’s, Haviana’s and ADIDAS Gazelles. We’ve replaced the ground with paving and concrete, trees with phone screens, and fresh air with air conditioning. No wonder we’re all stressed out and tired.
The best part about Earthing is that it’s ridiculously easy. No apps, no membership lock in requiring a small mortgage, this health strategy is free and accessible.
Here’s what a literature review says you might experience:
Better sleep – Apparently, those Earth electrons act like nature’s melatonin.
Less stress – Something about touching the ground seems to tell your brain, “Relax, you’re
home.”
Pain relief – Some people report reduced inflammation and joint pain.
More energy – Who knew standing in sand or dirt could be a caffeine free pick-me-up?
Basically, what I’m trying to relay is that Earthing is stupidly simple, surprisingly effective, and best of all easy and free to do. Just kick off your shoes, find some grass, walk on it and let nature do its thing.
And if you see someone looking at you weird for standing barefoot in the park or your backyard, Molly suggests to just smile and say, “I’m recharging.”
Thanks for reading! ☺️
