Throughout history, humans have spent time outdoors barefoot – hunting, gardening or tilling the soil –  humans have always touched the earth…  Think for a minute how you feel when you walk barefoot along wet sand at the beach or on a field of dewy grass.  Do you recall feeling some tingling in your feet or legs, or a sense of warmth or well-being rising up into your body? This is now known by the term ‘Earthing’ or ‘Grounding’. The Earth literally teems with natural electrical energy and the theory is that our bodies are meant to come into contact with this energy or “grounding” force on a regular basis. Emerging research is showing that when we are connected directly to the earth’s electric field through direct contact with our skin, the earth’s negatively-charged electrons flow through us and our electric charge goes from positive to negative. Negative electrons (those flowing from the earth) are known as healing electrons, while positively-charged electrons are those that contribute to disharmony and disease. In other words you receive an energy infusion, compliments of Mother Earth. Think of it as “Vitamin G” – G for ground. Just as the sun above creates vitamin D in your body, the ground below provides you with vitamin G, a kind of “electrical nutrition.” *

The research is showing that Earthing may be a simple, natural and yet profoundly effective environmental therapy which may help to reduce inflammation and chronic pain, increase energy, improve sleep, lower stress, improve blood pressure and flow and speed healing – among many other very positive effects.**   Good grounding surfaces include sand, grass, soil, concrete/brick and ceramic tiles.  Surfaces not so good for grounding include asphalt, wood, rubber, plastic and vinyl and tarmac.

But, if you don’t live in an area that lends itself to wandering around barefoot, don’t have a garden, or if it simply doesn’t appeal then it’s good to know that there is a way of enjoying the benefits of a barefoot lifestyle without actually being barefoot….Reflexology. The foot is a collection of thousands of sensors that sense pressure, stretch and movement. Reflexology can stimulate these sensors and help to reawaken those areas of the brain once activated by having to navigate rocky terrain. The bottoms of the feet are teeming with nerve endings, yet because we insulate our feet through thick rubber shoe soles, we miss out on a lot of sensation. Reflexology helps to address this and can help to bring about positive and therapeutic changes in the nervous system as well as boosting immunity and bringing about a greater sense of wellbeing.

* Dr Stephen Sinatra, HeartMD Institute

**Journal of Environmental and Public Health