The Green Column Let’s Talk Earthing

Should We Wear Shoes Less Often?

Let’s talk Earthing!

We live in a society where wearing shoes is normal. The moment we step out of our door, most of us are wearing shoes. Our shoes create a layer of separation between us and the Earth. We are walking on rubber, insulating ourselves from the Earth.

This last week I had the joy of being invited to walk along a moss made pathway at our Forest School group at Out There Forest School. Two of the tribe had been creating a pathway through their den and it looked wonderful! The moss looked juicy and soft and I just had to take off my boots and walk along the beautiful carpet. One of the girls joined me and we both ooooooed and ahhhhhed about how fresh and delicious it felt. The other interior designer then shared that when we wear shoes we don’t actually connect with the Earth. She spoke of a family friend that daily stands on the Earth barefoot and raves of how great it is. WOW! 11-12 year olds talking of Earthing (also known as grounding). My heart was full and my soul touched.

I am interested in the benefits that connecting with nature can bring to our physical and mental wellbeing and Earthing is one of Earth’s many free gifts to us…if we dare to go there. Taking off my shoes, standing on the bare Earth, whether it be grass in the garden, mud in the woods or sand at the beach, I feel calmer, more connected to myself and part of something larger than just me. It helps me relax, let go of negative thinking and feel more connected to the world around me.

What’s the science behind it?

The Earth has an abundant supply of free electrons which helps to neutralise free-radicals in our bodies (we want to reduce free-radicals as they damage our healthy cells).

So when we walk barefoot on the Earth, these electrons naturally flow between the Earth and our body reducing the free-radicals within us and eliminating any static electrical charge which has an effect on blood viscosity, linked to heart disease. GPs have seen cures in inflammation, arthritis, insomnia, depression, chronic pain and quicker recovery times from Earthing. (Research from Dr. Stephen Sinatra, leading cardiologist.)

We are surrounded by

So, get out there, whip off those shoes, stand or walk for 30 minutes barefoot and feel the benefits of better sleep, less stress and pain relief. You might feel a bit strange at first, but if 11 year olds are talking about, it must also be pretty cool as well as beneficial.

Happy Earthing,