Grounding: Walking barefoot to recharge body and mind
1. Belief...
Since the dawn of time, shamans, yogis, and grandmothers have advised "placing bare feet on the Earth" to regain balance and vitality. The idea? The planet is a gigantic battery whose energy we can harness simply by touching the ground.
2. ...in the lab test
Physicists talk about grounding: your body becomes a conductor and connects to the planet's zero electrical potential. Free electrons (negatively charged) then migrate to the subcutaneous tissues, where they neutralize pro-inflammatory free radicals.
| Measured effects (10–60 min of contact) | Studies |
|---|---|
| ↘ inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) | Chevalier et al., 2022 PMC |
| ↘ aggregation of red blood cells → better blood fluidity | Oschman et al., 2015 PMC |
| ↘ cortisol & stress subjectif | WebMD synthèse 2024 WebMD |
| ↑ Heart rate variability (HRV) after 20 min | Chevalier et al., 2012 PubMed |
| ↘ insomnia & fatigue (randomized trial, 2025) | Abdel-Maksoud et al., 2025 ScienceDirect |
In just 20 minutes, a significant decrease in inflammation and stress was observed in volunteers sitting on a PMC grounded mat.
3. How to practice ?
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Garden, beach, forest | Walk barefoot for 10–15 min (wet grass, sand, rock). |
| City, apartment | Touch a tree trunk, a wet rock or use a certified grounding mat. |
| Rainy weather | Even when wet, the ground conducts better! Plan to wipe your feet afterward. |
Chrono-wellness tip: Put down your phone and focus on the sensations: the coolness of the ground, tingling, slow breathing. Two benefits for the price of one: electrons & mindfulness.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
► Risk of infection?
Just check that there are no glass or sharp objects; brief contact does not increase the risk of fungal infection.
► What about winter?
Five minutes on unfrozen ground is enough. You can also hold a rock, or even dip your hands in stream water.
► How many times a week?
Studies already show effects with 3 sessions per week; daily = better.
5. Summary 60 seconds
- The soil provides free electrons.
- They neutralize free radicals ➜ inflammation ↓.
- 20 minutes = improved HRV and cortisol.
- Equipment: just your feet.
- Bonus effect: a moment of mindfulness, a view of nature!
Scientific references
- Chevalier, G. Grounding – The universal anti-inflammatory remedy. 2022. PMC
- Oschman, J. Effects of grounding on inflammation, immune responses & wound healing. 2015. PMC
- Chevalier, G. HRV changes after 20 min of earthing. 2012. PubMed
- Abdel-Maksoud, M. Earthing mats reduce stress & insomnia: RCT 2025. 2025. ScienceDirect
- WebMD. Grounding Benefits. 2024. WebMD
- Times of India. 7 Benefits of walking barefoot on grass. 2024. The Times of India
👣 Ready to try it? Step out onto the nearest lawn, count 600 seconds... and watch your body reset!
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