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How to Get Grounded and What is Grounding looks at the concept of reconnecting with the earth to benefit from its energy. While that might sound far-out for some, the earth truly can help to restore one’s energy and organ function.
I often share my experiences with wellness techniques, because diet alone is not usually enough to bring complete wellness for most people. I am passionate about a handful of remedies, the ones that have helped our family — and this is one of them!
What I share next is three completely different ways that grounding has helped me — different methods of grounding that have been life-changing.
What is Grounding (or Earthing)
I often marvel how energized I feel whenever I go to the beach. So alive.
The sand, the grasses, the dirt, the sea — all of nature is charged with energy. Animals, bugs, humans, even bacteria, are charged with this current.
Modern humans have become detached from this surging energy: removed by the shoes we wear, the beds we sleep on, the fact that we drive in cars everywhere, instead of walking, and the raised up houses we live in. (Have you heard of the eco-friendly dirt floors now available from “green” contractors? What a neat alternative.)
We have, once again, modernized and in doing so, minimized our exposure to nature’s bounty. We think we’re improving our lives or making them more convenient, but in reality, we’re leaving something essential by the wayside.
Going barefoot, sleeping on the earth, being out in nature, touching nature — they’re too often things of the past. These staples of emotional and mental health have an actual physical effect on us that we must reclaim. Although not all people groups of the past understood the benefits of being in contact with the earth, we must be motivated by this knowledge now, the necessity of re-connecting.
HOW DOES THE EARTH HEAL US?
Even medical studies now show:
Omnipresent throughout the environment is a surprisingly beneficial, yet overlooked global resource for health maintenance, disease prevention, and clinical therapy: the surface of the Earth itself. It is an established, though not widely appreciated fact, that the Earth’s surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons … Mounting evidence suggests that the Earth’s negative potential can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all body systems. Moreover, oscillations of the intensity of the Earth’s potential may be important for setting the biological clocks regulating diurnal body rhythms, such as cortisol secretion …
Another study shares, “Since the late 20th century, chronic degenerative diseases have overcome infectious disease as the major causes of death in the 21st century, so an increase in human longevity will depend on finding an intervention that inhibits the development of these diseases and slows their progress.”
My first grounding experience
Many years ago, when my kids were young, my doctor at the time introduced me to grounding. It brought me back from extreme adrenal fatigue, or — wanting to take a nap all the time.
While this method is called grounding or earthing, he had a machine that simulated the real nature experience.
He hooked me up to an electricity-generating contraption called a Tennant Biomodulator, which transmits many different frequencies found in nature. The thirty minute session had such a profound effect on my energy levels that I began receiving weekly treatments.
Over the course of a month my organ functions improved by 50%! (He said I was like a dead battery before we started.)
How to get grounded — my second experience
In between the treatments with my doctor’s contraption, I was told to make contact with the earth directly, and other living things, on a daily basis, via barefoot walks and swims in our local river.
The outdoor activities were wonderful in warm weather. My parents have a private swimming hole on the McKenzie River, and I loved sharing this kind of euphoria with my family.
I also enjoyed having an excuse to go barefoot more often.
How do you do grounding in cold weather
When the weather turned colder, I found by accident one rainy day that wet grass had a more powerful effect on me than walking on dry earth. The first cold day I tried it, I went from grumpy, sleepy and droopy to feeling ready for the second half of a home school day!
The water droplets also hold electricity in them!
Earth grounding techniques and tools for indoors — my 3rd experience
Soon after … because I’m exposed to EMFs so often with my computer-oriented career, I decided it was time to get a grounding mat to counteract the effects. I also got a grounding sheet on which to sleep (the best kind that’s not copper-based).
All of these have either: long wires that reach to nearby windows and then grounding stakes that get anchored into the earth — or — alternately, more common now: if your electrical outlets themselves are grounded, the wires have a plug that can simply be placed in the outlet.
At night, I unplug our internet and sleep on the grounding sheet. During the day, I go for a walk on wet grass, and I connect myself during computer work to the grounding mat, where my feet rest.
Note: I also ended up buying moccasins! Yes, you can get grounding outside through certain kinds of shoes.
While all of this happened initially about ten years ago, here’s a more recent story that’s worth sharing …
How to get grounded: a grounding sheet
2026: My mom passed away suddenly, and the stress of the experience gave me a fever and put me in bed, sick. I felt pain everywhere, but not localized, and was very uncomfortable with a fever and lots of sweating.
One day, as I thought deeply about what to do to help myself, I thought to buy a new grounding sheet. My husband and I had gone to a king size bed from a queen, and I’d never gotten us the bigger size grounding sheet.
The morning after my first night sleeping on the new grounding sheet, the pain was gone. That horrible feeling of discomfort, that I couldn’t put my finger on, was gone. And, I slept beautifully through the entire night without waking up once. As I continued through that illness and eventually got fully well, the grounding sheet blessed me with an awesome night’s sleep every single night.
(For more sleep solutions, read this article.)
I even used a Garmin smartwatch (with no Bluetooth), and my sleep score for all nights was in the 90s (or a few in the high 80s) with a great HRV (Heart Rate Variability).
Not everyone will have dramatic results from grounding sheets. But it’s hard to deny the benefits they have for our bodies, all while we sleep. This tool is a great wellness step for almost everyone: Get deeper sleep, reduce stress and inflammation. Allow your organs to function optimally.
(The first time my husband and I used grounding sheets, we experienced better REM sleep and more dreams.)
Here’s a good grounding sheet: Made from 90% organic cotton, 10% silver thread, and really well priced.
Disclaimer: Occasionally, a grounding sheet is too strong for some people. If this is the case for you, consider grounding shoes, or just put your bare feet on unsprayed grass for twenty minutes a day.
Earthing benefits: CONCLUSION
Even medical scientists now conclude, “Emerging evidence shows that contact with the Earth—whether being outside barefoot or indoors connected to grounded conductive systems—may be a simple, natural, and yet profoundly effective environmental strategy against chronic stress, ANS dysfunction, inflammation, pain, poor sleep, disturbed HRV, hypercoagulable blood, and many common health disorders, including cardiovascular disease. The research done to date supports the concept that grounding or earthing the human body may be an essential element in the health equation along with sunshine, clean air and water, nutritious food, and physical activity.”
On a daily basis, we need to get back in contact with the earth: Get grounded. Choose your method.
Pin What is Grounding & the Best Methods here:
Alison Agnew (@Nancherrrow) says
Hmm. Never heard of this. I certainly like the feel of grass between my toes though!
naturallyloriel says
I love this! I try and ground as often as I can (and include my little one as well). Great post!
reneekohley says
OH how I miss that green grass in the picture! We do as much grounding as we can in the spring and summer 🙂
emilysv says
I LOVE this! Thank you so much for sharing. It’s such an important reminder to me. I had never thought of trying this in the rain too. I love how I feel recharged after going to the beach. I really need to just take my shoes off more often. Thanks!
sorilea says
Can you give advice on how to find a doctor like the one you mentioned in your post?
Megan Stevens says
Updated answer. Yes, here is my doctor’s info: https://nutritiondetective.com/collections/schedule-a-consultation You’d start with one of his health facilitators and then have weekly access to his office hours.
sorilea says
Yes, and have been for awhile. But issues I would like to have resolved are still very much a problem, and I live in a small rural area at least 3-4 hours from anywhere, so the frustration at finding any sort of doctor other than the rural ones here is high. Their idea of healing is prescribing antibiotics and antidepressants — every time, no matter the issue. As a matter of fact, I could just give the clinic a call and say: I think my son has strep. — And get prescriptions for antibiotics for the entire family over the phone.
Megan Stevens says
Sorry to hear of your predicament. I know what it’s like when diet isn’t enough and you want someone who knows more to walk the journey of healing with you! Also see Dr. Smith’s LYL forum with a community for daily support.
gracielynnsthebotheredsheep says
I can see your point a bit.. I love walking barefoot in the yard & on our 10 acres . 🙂 but I think the SUN has a lot to do with the feeling of well being , esp at the beach.. those that live along the equator have far fewer ‘down’ days then us stuck in the north :_) I’m not into “mother earth’ as much as I’m into the Father that Made the Earth.. but I do agree.. any time spent outdoors , fresh air.. sunshine….. singing in the rain.. all of it promotes health & well being..
good article.. 🙂
Megan Stevens says
Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Renee Kohley says
THIS. This is so fascinating to me Megan! My kids are so hard to keep shoes on their feet in the summer and I don’t fight it – I think they crave it after our long winters! And our beach days they always sleep SO good. I am looking forward to learning more about this!
Megan Stevens says
Oh, I love hearing about your family and how grounding has been affecting you, even unintentionally. That is beautiful. So natural and intuitive. I’m excited for you to continue learning about it too, so life-giving and happy-making!! Thanks, Renee! <3
Evlyn Llanos says
Hi Meg. Because of this article I’m considering getting a grounding that. Would grass that comes back after a cold winter still have pesticides even iif I start to treat it with natural fertilizer ? Your responses are always so helpful
Megan Stevens says
Hi Evlyn, I think it would be safe for the purpose of grounding. It takes 3 years for earth that’s been treated with poisons to produce unadulterated produce. But I personally would do what you’re proposing. I hope that helps.
Evlyn Llanos says
Oh. Thank goodness! I crave to walk on wet grass in the morning. It’s so rejuvenating. I’m healing and don’t want to do anything to hinder that. Hope your’e feeling better and look forward to Wednesday’s with you:)
Megan Stevens says
Thank you! I am feeling better and will see you tomorrow on Periscope! 🙂 I’m so glad you’re enjoying that kind of grounding. I think it’s the best! 🙂
Nancy in Alberta says
What is this Periscope of which you speak?
Megan says
Hi Nancy, I used to film Periscope videos each week, and then publish them on YouTube for anyone who didn’t catch them live. It was a form of social media on one’s phone, but I’m not sure if it exists anymore. Kind of like FB Live. It was a nice format for connecting.
Marilyn says
Hi Meghan;
I live in a condo, and am wondering re; the grounding sheet. Could you give advice on that.
Judy says
Hi Megan,
I’d heard of grounding a while back (the book Earthing) and finally got a mat a few months ago…a game changer, and awesome for the winter months. I had chronic knee pain and lower back pain that has lessened in the 90% range. It’s helping with my sleep as well. People need to know this, thanks for spreading the word. I’m also looking into near and far ifrared light therapy for healing. There are units one could purchase, (some pricier than others) but they are made with LED lights so I wonder as to their effectiveness. Have you explored that at all?
Megan says
Hi Judy, great question!! My favorite infrared sauna uses natural incandescent light and heat therapy and is 0EMF. They’re called Sauna Space, and they offer different models for different budgets: https://bit.ly/2u7cJpY Let me know your thoughts. 🙂 I’m so happy the grounding has been SOO helpful!!
Katherine says
Hi Megan,
Do you recommend this product https://www.amazon.com/Earthing-Fitted-Sheet-Kit-Queen/dp/B009LNJ83W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1487511201&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=grounding+sheet&linkCode=sl1&tag=eatbeau-20&linkId=f0d1d2c442d5bdfd22461629f36745a3 that you link in the article above or this product https://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/grounded-therapy-sleep-mat/earthing-grounding that you link in another article of yours that I read? If you have an opinion, I’d love to hear which might be more effective.
Thank you Megan!
Katherine
Megan says
Hi Katherine! In general I appreciate most of the products sold by Radiant Life, but I haven’t slept on the mat you link to, so I can’t compare the products. I do have the first product by Earthing, and it’s been great. The only additional tip I can give is that if you buy the first one, wash it semi-regularly to keep it at top performance. My guess is that they both work great. 🙂
katherine says
Thanks Megan! How do you know when it’s time to replace your grounding mat/sheet? Do you have a way of testing the conductivity?
Thanks again!
Normajean says
Great article! I learned many years ago about grounding. At one time had a sheet to lay on as well but not one that would stay put on the bed so gave up on it.
Summer months I can at times be found it the shade of the trees either sitting with my bare feet on the ground or even laying on the grass for a while. Sure wish I could do that in the winter.
Laying on the grass as opposed to feet on grass seems to be the best of all in my experience.
When I first started doing this, I had very severe static electricity problems so bad no one could touch me with shocking me greatly. I could not turn on anything like a light switch without great pain.
My doctor had no concrete answers but said he had a client who read from an herbalist about walking barefoot in the grass to allow electricity build up out of the body. He didn’t know what it was called or who the herbalist was or how it worked.
When I left his office, I went straight to the nearest park with grass. Off came the shoes and for the next half hour I ran and walked and layed and rolled in that grass, I was so severely desperate. I am sure I looked nutty but cared nothing for what anyone one thought! That one day reduced my electrical containment by almost 80%! Amazing!
We didn’t have grass and I didn’t realize then than even just plain ground would work as well as a cement pad like a side walk but not wood. So any park I found had me wriggling on it!
It took me a long time to find that herbalist. But find him online i did and read more and learned and bought the book Earthing
I have never had static like that again. If I even get a hint of a spark out I go!
My family thought I had lost my marbles over some weird witch craft gook! How ever when my grown sons began to get sparks in their life of an unloving kind I finally convinced them to ground out side.
Our new home had grass theirs did not and they would come over and kick off their shoes! They get it now! My husband still won’t do it. Pride is a killer in many ways.
Thanks again!
Megan says
Hi Norma Jean! Thank you for sharing your story! Wow, a great testimony! 🙂
Dorothy says
This is a good reminder to make use of the ground around us. I’ve done some grounding before, but then I go back to shoes and socks outside. I even lay on a metal and mesh outdoor chair recently, instead of on the grass. When we were kids, most of us played in the grass, dirt, mud, and sand, a lot! Now think about bacteria from occasional neighbors pets going in our yard. But the benefits probably outweigh the possible risks.
Megan says
Great, Dorothy, I’m so glad. Yes, I agree that the benefits are much better. In fact, the bacteria from pets has been shown to be good for our immune system. https://www.livescience.com/34612-dogs-boost-microbe-diversity.html Many studies show that homes with indoor-outdoor pets have family members with fewer allergies and more diverse microbiome. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Helena says
Great article and site. Mentally, socially physically and spiritually…. those that throw out the “ health “ trends, tech advice , social trends ( Ie friends with benefits, baby mama ) and all areas of allopathic medicine all share one vital aspect. It’s diabolical. They pull us away from God, nature, natural light, natural healing, socializing in person and believe it ir not there is a natural order that mankind and society clearly did better in. They’ll come as bearers of peace. Like feminism did, they won’t tell you how that affected divorce rates and eventually made it financially impossible for any family to survive on one income. Making mothers feel unhappy and unappreciated in their vital role as a mother and wife. I work don’t get me wrong. But watch closely, and they’ve been making us sick, divided and slowly trying to bring us to a dependency on tech that will destroy us. This is what occurs when greedy depopulists are at the wheel Why was the beach specifically such a no no at the start of this radiation Covid event, because it’s grounding.
SNK says
I recommended your blog with two people and they also like your content. This is a really nice article. Thanks for sharing wonderful information.
Megan says
You’re welcome, and thanks for sharing!
Roxanne Hill says
Hi Megan, Love you articles. I bought the amazon grounding sheet you left the link for. I did not realize when I bought it that it says to dry clean only. So, needless to say I am not happy about that. I does not seem to be very sanitary to not wash it and dry cleaning chemicals well… I’m not sure about sleeping on those. Do you have any recommendations. I’d really appreciate it.
Megan says
Hi Roxanne, wow, I’m surprised, too! Thanks for your comment (and kind words). I hate to say it, but I think that instruction is wrong and a reflection of so many products now being manufactured oversees and with incorrect instructions! Actually, you should not dry clean a grounding sheet. Dry cleaning chemicals can destroy the silver fibers that make the sheet conductive. Instead, we regularly wash ours in our washing machine, as washing keeps the silver threads clean and conductive by removing body oils. 🙂 Tumble dry on lower heat setting. So, great news, but I’m sorry you were distressed, and understandably so!
Megan says
I just checked on Amazon for more details. The instructions there say: Machine wash.😅 Go figure!