Why We Love Earthing
By Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L
What Is Earthing?
Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth, like soil, grass, or sand which allows the body to connect with the Earth's natural electrical energy.
Think about the last time you ran barefoot through the backyard with your dog or walked along the beach. What do you remember feeling? I remember a sense of happiness, contentment, and well-being. Something so simple and pure that it couldn’t be bought. That’s the power of nature, and of our nervous system receiving the energy of the earth.
What Does the Research Say?
There’s growing research on the health benefits of earthing, particularly around nervous system regulation and inflammation. Some of the documented benefits include:
Improved sleep
Reduced stress and pain
Accelerated wound healing
Shifts from sympathetic (fight/flight) to parasympathetic (rest/digest) states
Normalization of cortisol rhythms
Reduced blood viscosity (improved circulation)
(Reference below if you'd like to dig into the science.)
Why We Love Earthing as Occupational Therapists
As OT’s, we see earthing as a beautiful, natural tool for sensory integration and motor development. Here’s why we love it:
It’s a sensory-rich experience
Different surfaces, including grass, dirt, and sand, offer varied textures, temperatures, and pressure, providing the feet with natural tactile and proprioceptive input.
2. It supports body awareness and coordination
Walking barefoot develops balance and body awareness because the brain and body muscles will be deeply engaged in keeping your body upright to prevent you from falling. This builds balance, core strength, and spatial awareness.
3. It promotes grounding and regulation
Just like adults, kids benefit from moments that help calm the nervous system. Barefoot play outdoors is one of the most accessible ways to help a child shift into regulation, especially after a long school day or overstimulating event.
4. It supports motor development
Walking barefoot strengthens the small muscles in the feet and ankles, which improves posture. Also, textures underfoot can improve foot awareness, posture, and step confidence. For older kids, it can strengthen underused muscles and build more intentional motor patterns.
5. It is simple, free, and FUN (and usually accessible for all in some shape and form)
Honestly, what’s better than ditching the shoes and heading outside for a foot massage from Mother Nature? One less thing to help your child with in the morning = win.
Tips for Safe and Supportive Grounding
Good surfaces for earthing: soil, grass, sand, stone, concrete
Avoid: wood, asphalt, or vinyl (not conductive), as well as any areas that may have debris, glass, or unsafe waste
For hesitant kids, start with short periods and go slow—let them lead. Earthing can feel intense at first, especially if a child is sensory sensitive.
And remember: you don’t have to be standing or walking! Sitting barefoot on the ground or lying down still allows the body to access the benefits.
Looking for More Support?
Earthing is just one of the many sensory-rich practices we use in our therapy sessions. If you’re curious about how to support your child’s sensory needs, nervous system, or motor development, we’d love to help.
👉 We offer in-person therapy in San Diego and Long Beach, online coaching, and online courses. Reach out to us at the links below to learn more. We're always happy to chat.
References
Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res, 8:83-96. Link
Helpful Links
If you found this post helpful, you’ll love our therapy resources! Whether you’re a parent or therapist, our apraxia and autism courses are here to offer practical tools, compassionate guidance, and real-world strategies you can use every day.
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