Getting outside is one of the ways we can improve our mental wellbeing. And if you are lucky enough to have access to even a tiny portion of the earth to run your hands through or expose your feet to, we wholeheartedly recommend you do so as often as you can. Barefoot walking in particular helps to relive stress, being soothing and grounding.
Perhaps instinctively we know that walking barefoot offers an easily accessible means of connecting to the earth and in a roundabout way, connecting back to yourself. Here we take a quick look at some of the positives barefoot walking can bring and why we should all practice this more often.

Improve your sleep

Grounding, or earthing as it is also known, is thought to influence physiological processes, induce positive pondering and deeper thought, as well as help us relax. All of these are vital to our wellbeing but perhaps it is the effect barefoot walking has on our circadian (24 hourly) rhythms, run by our numerous internal body clocks, that leads to a better night’s sleep.

Reduce pain and inflammation

The link between stress and pain, which in turn affects sleep, is well known. A test group of people who, after complaining of pain, stress and trouble sleeping, slept on conductive mattress pads mimicking the effects of sleeping directly on the Earth. They reported either a great reduction or a total disappearance of their troubles after eight weeks. The scientists identified reduced levels of the cortisol (stress) hormone in the entire group. But if you don’t fancy sleeping on the ground each night, barefoot walking could help to harness some of the earth’s energy.

Regulate your nervous system, decreasing feelings of anxiety and stress

Going outside in general can help regulate emotions and balance your nervous system. The joy and lightness we can all feel after spending time out in the warm sunshine demonstrates this perfectly. Letting your body come into direct contact with the soil can decrease anxiety and stress even more. Hence why we find gardening relaxing, despite the hard work it involves.

The earth carries a negative charge, and we carry a positive one due to all of the electromagnetic waves we encounter each day. Positives always need to be grounded to earth, so logically if we walk barefoot, we are grounding ourselves with every step.
Some people believe that migraines are linked to prolonged exposure to computers and radiated light and we are probably all overexposed to screens in our day to day lives. This literal earthing of our bodies may help reduce the free radicals, in turn offering some relief from headaches and migraines too.

Boost energy levels

As well as helping us to relax, connecting with nature can also boost our energy levels. We have an inbuilt ability to pick up on the higher frequencies emitted by nature which increase our energy levels in a purely natural way. Unlike the energy buzz we might get from caffeine for example, this natural energy does not impact our ability to relax and sleep. Instead, it works to revitalise not just our bodies but our minds and indeed our souls.

Grounding your way

If barefoot walking isn’t for you, there are plenty of other ways you can benefit from the earths grounding abilities.

Outdoor yoga or some decompression stretching on a Yoga Rug Mat.

Ten minutes on your lunch break sat on the grass under a tree with an Eye Pillow.

Sitting on a bench, kicking off your shoes (or sliders in the summer months) closing your eyes and just letting your naked toes wiggle free in the grass.

Whatever way works for you we hope that you find some time to escape outside, relax, decompress and connect with the earth to benefit from its much-undervalued grounding abilities.