Humanity continues to find ways to improve health and quality of life. Although medicine’s come a long way over the centuries, there’re still so many mysteries left unsolved.

As trivial as it sounds, the simple act of walking barefoot (preferably outdoors) appears to have a variety of benefits. This can be attributed to electrostatic grounding, which, according to Physics Classroom, is defined as:

“The process of removing the excess charge on an object by means of the transfer of electrons between it and another object of substantial size. When a charged object is grounded, the excess charge is balanced by the transfer of electrons between the charged object and a ground.”

But to understand grounding, or what some have deemed “earthing,” in this case, we need to break down the science. Today, our primary subject of concern is electricity and the flow of electrical charge between human and ground earth.

For starters, anything negatively charged has an excess of electrons. Conversely, positively charged objects are electron deficient. For a negatively charged object, removing the excess electrons results in an equal balance of positive protons and negative electrons, yielding a neutral charge.

Electrons are transferred between objects with an imbalance of charge through an electrically conductive medium. Discharging electrons, in the case of a negatively charged object, through means of electrostatic repulsion, exit the charged object into the larger body in contact. The larger surface area affords the electrons more space to spread, leaving the initially charged object neutral.

Okay, the most complex stuff is out of the way. In 1954, the renowned physicist Schumann remarked,

“The Earth’s surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons. The surface of the planet is electrically conductive (except in limited ultra-dry areas such as deserts), and its negative potential is maintained (i.e., its electron supply replenished) by the global atmospheric electrical circuit.”

So why does all of this matter? Well, throughout the day, humans are constantly dissociated from ground earth. We spend our days in socks, on carpets, and in clothes. When rubbing against these materials, electrons are transferred, building up charge. Oftentimes, humans spend their days with charge imbalances.

So how does “earthing” occur? How can a person discharge themselves? Simply take a barefoot walk outside. The imbalance of electrons will transfer to the earth, giving you a neutral charge.

According to Chevalier, et al.,

“Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits—including better sleep and reduced pain—from walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground into the body.”

Grounding requires a conducting pathway between object and earth to discharge. Insulation in the form of plastic, cloth, glass and rubber are poor conducting mediums, preventing the transfer of electrons from object to ground. Metals and other materials allow for easy transfer and discharge. Fortunately, the human body acts as an adequate conductor.

So the question now becomes – how exactly does this benefit us? What effects does “earthing” have on the human body?

The advantages of walking barefoot are still not completely understood. Various modern studies have sought to shed light on the body’s reaction to “earthing.” Studies have demonstrated evidence of improved sleep, reduced inflammation, reduced pain, and stress relief.

A paper from the Journal of Environmental and Public Health illuminates other benefits of “earthing” and electrostatic grounding. Chevalier, et al. conclude by stating,

“Emerging evidence shows that contact with the Earth—whether being outside barefoot or indoors connected to grounded conductive systems—may be a simple, natural, and yet profoundly effective environmental strategy against chronic stress, ANS dysfunction, inflammation, pain, poor sleep, disturbed HRV, hypercoagulable blood, and many common health disorders, including cardiovascular disease. The research done to date supports the concept that grounding or earthing the human body may be an essential element in the health equation along with sunshine, clean air and water, nutritious food, and physical activity.”

In such studies, confounding variables, such as the influence of sun exposure on mental health and even the effect of “fresh air” provide a tricky problem for researchers delineating cause and effect. It’s not as simple as observing subjects walking barefoot outside.

An article in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that “earthing” results in an increase of surface charge within red blood cells.

The effect? Lowered blood viscosity, which can prevent heart disease. Another study from the same publication found benefits to both the nervous and endocrine systems.

Additionally, there’re a handful of mechanical advantages to walking barefoot.

“The most straightforward benefit to barefoot walking is that in theory, walking barefoot more closely restores our ‘natural’ walking pattern, also known as our gait,” says Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, an orthopedic surgeon and foot specialist of the Hoag Orthopaedic Institute.

Other benefits of walking barefoot include the following:

• Improved balance
• Proper body alignment
• Core strengthening
• Improved leg strength, leading to improved lower back strength
• Improved spatial awareness
• Physical relief from inadequate shoes

Although there’s still tons of research left and holes in our collective understanding, evidence suggests that staying grounded, especially walking barefoot outdoors, can yield a variety of health benefits. Afflictions ranging from inflammation to sleep problems have shown subtle improvement from “earthing.” Current research begets future experimentation and optimism regarding “earthing” and its medicinal effects.

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Source: Power of Positivity, healthline, Physics Classroom, US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Mind Body Green