Get Grounded and Heal

A decade ago, if you told me that walking barefoot could help my eczema and overall well-being, I probably would have laughed. But as someone who’s lived with atopic dermatitis and other health conditions for as long as I can remember, I’ve realized that the solution isn't always found in a prescription – whether it’s a pill, injection, or topical cream.

For me personally, nature has and continues to offer some of the most potent “medicine” on my journey with eczema.

What is grounding (or earthing)?

Grounding (also called earthing) is the practice of making direct physical contact with the earth. This can be done by walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand, lying down on the beach, etc. There are now even grounding mats and sheets you can purchase to use at home.

On the surface, it might sound like a new-age trend and a bit “woo woo” for some, but there is some science behind it.

The earth has its own electrical field, and by making physical contact with it, we can absorb these electrons. This has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the body. As those of us with eczema and other health conditions know, this is incredibly important for our healing.¹

How did I learn about grounding?

To be honest, I don’t remember the first time I heard of grounding. At some point after dealing with eczema and topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) for years and struggling to find relief, I researched everything I could possibly try. I was willing to try just about anything to get relief. When I started to look into it, I found tons of people who claimed it helped them with chronic health conditions, or even just overall mental health and well-being.

Walking barefoot and connecting with the earth seems simple, but I was desperate. So, I decided to give it a shot. I walked outside, took my shoes off, and walked around on the grass for a while. While I wasn't expecting a miracle, I also didn't expect how calm and grounded (no pun intended) I felt even after just a short time.

How can it benefit eczema?

Reduces inflammation

Studies suggest that grounding may reduce inflammation in the body. By connecting directly to the earth, the body may find a natural way to reduce inflammation and bring more balance.¹

Stress relief

Stress is a huge trigger for me, with both eczema and TSW. Grounding has been one of the main tools I use in my “toolkit” for relief for both my skin and my mental health. It calms me down and reduces my anxiety pretty quickly. There is something soothing about being connected to the earth, and it helps my mind take a “pause” from all the chaos and stress. Research does suggest that grounding changes cortisol levels, which plays a role in the body's response to stress.²

Insomnia relief

After grounding more and spending more time connecting to nature and the earth, I did feel that my sleep improved a bit as well. That meant less nighttime itching and scratching, which is one of the worst things about eczema and TSW if you ask me.

As I mentioned before, grounding is believed to regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, which also helps the body maintain a natural sleep cycle.²

How have I made it part of my routine?

The best thing about grounding is that it’s easy, it's free, and it can be done just about anywhere. Over time, I’ve been able to incorporate it into my daily routine in small, simple ways. If I’m outside, I try to take off my shoes when I’m able to.

It’s become part of my self-care routine – a way to not only manage my eczema but also tap into some peace in an often busy and chaotic world.

Grounding hasn’t “cured” my eczema. But it definitely makes a big difference in my mental health and stress levels, which in turn helps with my skin flare-ups as well.

If you’re struggling with eczema, TSW, or other chronic health conditions, I invite you to give it a try. After all, there’s nothing to lose. All you’re doing is walking barefoot. But you might just find that nature is more healing than you ever imagined.