Who else is out here habit-stacking like it’s a sport? Deep breathing in traffic. Stretching during your favourite show. Squats while the coffee brews (maybe). When you’re in your wellness groove, you start spotting opportunities everywhere. Little moments that actually add up.
And one of our favourite feel-good habits that’s almost too easy? Grounding. When your bare feet touch the Earth, you do more than relax. You might be helping your body reset on a deeper level.
According to researchers like Dr. Laura Koniver, grounding (or earthing) connects you to the Earth’s natural electric charge. That connection has been linked to better sleep, calmer stress responses, and even support for inflammation.
There’s no need to overhaul your routine or add another wellness tip that stresses you out. Grounding works best when it blends into what you’re already doing.
Here are 9 everyday moments when grounding fits right in, plus how to make the most of each one.
Why Grounding Works
First, let’s quickly recap what grounding is all about. Every system in your body—nervous, endocrine, immune—relies on balance and regulation to function properly. Grounding offers a direct, physical way to support that balance by reconnecting with the Earth’s surface.
According to Dr. Laura Koniver’s review of more than 20 years of research, grounding may influence key physiological processes. Studies suggest that direct skin contact with the Earth can reduce markers of inflammation, improve circulation, and help regulate the body’s stress response. There is also evidence that grounding may enhance the quality of sleep and support more stable cortisol rhythms, especially when practiced consistently.
If you already rely on magnesium, Epsom salts, or mineral-rich tonics to support your body, grounding follows a similar principle. The difference is that it works through direct contact. Whether it’s bare feet on grass, hands in the garden, or a conductive mat under your desk, grounding is a simple practice with potentially powerful effects.
1. Stress and Burnout
The problem: You’re snappy, overstimulated, and more reactive than you’d like to be.
How grounding may help: Some evidence points to grounding as a way to calm the autonomic nervous system and reduce cortisol.
Try this: Lay down on a patch of grass, walk barefoot in your yard, or do your evening stretch on a grounding mat. Even five minutes can be noticeably calming! On busier days, we plug in a grounding mat under our desk to take the edge off Zoom fatigue.
2. Digestive Discomfort
The problem: Bloating, indigestion, or general gut unrest.
How grounding may help: Grounding is thought to support vagal tone and may help calm inflammation, which are both important for digestion.
Try this: Summer’s near, so why not take lunch outside in a park, barefoot? Bonus points if you take a 10-minute grounded walk after meals.
3. Sleep Troubles
The problem: Trouble falling asleep, waking up at 3 a.m., or feeling unrested.
How grounding may help: Some studies suggest that grounding may support melatonin production and help regulate circadian rhythms. Learn more: https://earthingcanada.ca/blog/reset-your-sleep-how-grounding-aligns-your-circadian-rhythm-for-deep-restorative-rest/
Try this: Spend 20 minutes barefoot in the morning light if possible. In the evening, consider sleeping with a grounding sheet or pillowcase. We do this in our home, and more often than not, our sleep feels next-level.
4. Anxiety or Panic
The problem: Racing heart, shallow breathing, sudden overwhelm.
How grounding may help: Grounding has been shown in small studies to support the vagus nerve and help bring the nervous system back into balance.
Try this: Go outside and sit directly on the Earth. Or, if you’re feeling bold, hold onto a tree, honestly! No nature? Take it indoors by placing your hands on a grounding mat while breathing deeply, which can offer similar support.
5. Post-Workout Soreness
The problem: That can’t-even-sit-down level soreness after movement.
How grounding may help: Some research suggests grounding may help reduce muscle soreness and support circulation for recovery. Learn more here: https://earthingcanada.ca/blog/recover-smarter-not-harder-how-grounding-can-supercharge-your-recovery/
Try this: Take a stretch in the grass post-workout. If you’re stuck inside, add some time on your grounding mat while foam rolling.
6. Mood Swings or Low Motivation
The problem: Feeling blah, unmotivated, or quick to irritate.
How grounding may help: Grounding has been linked in early studies to improved mood and nervous system regulation.
Try this: Journal or listen to a podcast while grounding outside. Or play with your dog barefoot on the lawn (did you know pets can ground, too?!)
7. Hormonal Imbalance
The problem: Irregular cycles, PMS, adrenal fatigue, thyroid funk.
How grounding may help: Grounding is believed to influence stress hormones and inflammation, which play a role in hormone regulation.
Try this: Make grounding part of your morning routine. A little breathwork or light yoga in the backyard, barefoot on the grass or using a grounding mat if it’s minus 20 outside can go a long way.
8. Tantrums and Overwhelm
The problem: Meltdowns. And not just from your kids.
How grounding may help: Grounding offers soothing input for the nervous system, which may help calm overstimulation and emotional reactivity.
Try this: Let the kids play barefoot in the yard or garden. Indoors, a grounding mat in the play area or reading corner can create a quiet, restorative space.
9. Too Much Screen Time (aka Functional Freeze)
The problem: You feel mentally jammed and physically stuck.
How grounding may help: Some researchers suggest grounding can help offset environmental stressors like EMFs and support a return to balance.
Try this: Take intentional breaks from the digital chaos of your day to get grounded. Step outside and stand in the grass for a few minutes. If going outside isn’t an option, place a grounding mat under your desk to stay connected while you work.
Layering Grounding Into Your Lifestyle
Grounding works best when it becomes part of your rhythm. Just like movement, hydration, or sunlight, a little here and there adds up. The more consistently you return to it, the more supported your system may feel.
You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel the effects. Try standing barefoot while brushing your teeth. Wear a grounding band while folding laundry. Sit on a grounding mat while reading or scrolling. Even a few minutes between errands can offer a shift.
And when you can’t get outside? We get it. Sometimes it’s raining, or time doesn’t allow it, or just not the right moment to be barefoot in the backyard. That’s why our family keeps indoor grounding tools in regular rotation so that we can stay connected, even on hectic days, sick days, or long winters.
Here are a few of our favourites:
• Grounding sheets for deeper, more restful sleep https://earthingcanada.ca/product-category/earthing-sheet/
• Patches and bands for quick, targeted support https://earthingcanada.ca/product-category/earthing-patches/
• Mats under our desks, the dining table, or yoga space
Grounding is free, intuitive, and increasingly supported by research. As Dr. Laura Koniver writes, “When electrical contact between the body and the Earth is reestablished, organ system function begins to optimize.” It’s a compelling theory—and one that continues to gain traction in the wellness world.
The Earth might just be one of the most underused wellness tools we have. With a little intention and maybe a grounding product or two, it’s one you can access every single day.
Ready to bring the benefits of the Earth indoors? https://earthingcanada.ca/blog/no-really-touch-grass-how-to-start-grounding/
Source: Koniver, L. (2023). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Biomedical Journal, 46(1), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2022.10.005