Grounding has become one of the most popular forms of holistic medicine in the last few years, despite being one of the oldest practices among humans. But there’s quite a bit of skepticism around the practice, specifically wondering how long it takes for grounding to actually work?
If you’ve been suffering with chronic pain, stress, or emotional fluctuation for years, you’re probably asking the same question. We’re going to break down the short and long term effects of grounding, including the timelines upon which you can expect it to work for you.
What is Grounding?
Grounding, or earthing, is the practice of connecting the body directly to the Earth’s surface, typically by walking barefoot on natural ground or using products like grounding mattress covers or mats. This connection allows the body to absorb electrons from the Earth, which can help to neutralize free radicals and reduce positive static charges that accumulate in the body. Grounding is believed to promote overall well-being, potentially improving sleep, reducing inflammation, and alleviating stress. The practice is seen as a way to reconnect with nature and restore balance to the body's electrical systems.
How Long Grounding Takes to Work
Short Term Effects
From the moment you create the connection between you and the Earth, whether that’s walking barefoot or standing on a grounding mat, you should begin to notice the effects of grounding in less than 30 minutes. These effects may include, but are not limited to, reduced stress, slower/more controlled breathing & heart rate, and slight improvements in pain & inflammation.
One study of an 84-year old diabetic woman showed significant improvements in pain levels and blood circulation after just 30 minutes of her first grounding session. (1) She’d been dealing with an 8-month old lower leg wound that would not heal, and vascular imaging showed poor circulation around the wound area. She of course was in pain, and also walked with a limp, but after her initial 30 minutes of exposure to grounding, she reported a noticeable decrease in pain.
For instance, one study found that heart rate variability improved after just 20 minutes of grounding, with further improvements observed with longer exposure. Another study indicated that grounding could normalize cortisol levels and improve sleep over an 8-week period, though some participants reported benefits sooner. Additionally, grounding has been associated with reduced stress and anxiety, with some individuals experiencing mood improvements after just an hour of grounding therapy.
For individuals who struggle to fall asleep & stay asleep, including those diagnosed with insomnia, the effects are similar. Grounding has evolved well past simply standing barefoot on grass, and products such as earthing mattress covers and earthing bed sheets can provide a sleep solution.
However, it is important to note that while these studies provide some evidence of the potential benefits of grounding, the research is still relatively limited and often involves small sample sizes. Therefore, individual experiences may vary, and further research is needed to fully understand the effects and mechanisms of grounding
Long Term Effects
While you will likely notice some physical & mental changes within 30-60 minutes of your first earthing session, the compounding effects over the next few days, weeks, and months will yield the greatest benefits. It’s likely that your sleep patterns will become more regular, emotions will become more regulated, inflammation will continue to decrease, and circulation will become less variable.
In the same study of the 84-year old diabetic woman, where her pain improved in just 30 minutes of her first earthing session. She continued grounding for weeks, as it was the only medicinal practice that yielded any results after 8 months of modern medicine failed her. After 7 more days of grounding, she estimated that her pain level was about 80% less than it had been for the previous 8 months. Researchers also noted that at the end of that same 7-day period, she showed no evidence of a limp. Fast forward 7 more days (2 weeks in total), the patient said she was completely pain-free. (1)
Another study of a 33-year old woman, who dealt with chronic right knee pain and instability after suffering a gymnastics injury at the age of 15, displayed similar results. After 18 years of being unable to stand for long periods of time, and experiencing pain even while driving and sleeping, regular grounding sessions completely resolved her pain. She tried various forms of traditional medicine and physical therapy (PT) for several years, but felt minimal relief.
After her initial 30 minutes grounding session with an electrode patch, she reported a “mild” reduction in pain. But after 6 days of grounding, she noted that her pain was 50% less than it had been the week prior. She could also stand pain-free for longer periods without pain, and no longer needed to sleep with a pillow between her legs. After 4 weeks of continued treatment, she began to play soccer and felt no instability and very little pain. After 12 weeks, her pain levels were 90% of what they’d been prior. In the weeks & months after the initial earthing treatment, she went on to waterski and ran a half marathon. (1)
Though there are questions about the efficacy of this practice, and whether or not grounding actually works, there’s no denying that there are dozens of cases where this ancient medicine has produced life-changing benefits.
Why Grounding? The Science & Benefits of Earthing
People turn to grounding for a variety of reasons, but primarily to reconnect with the Earth or because they’re dissatisfied with traditional medicine. As already mentioned, earthing can offer a variety of benefits, from reduced stress and enhanced mood to anti-inflammation and the neutralization of free radicals.
Benefits of Grounding
There are a range of physical and emotional benefits associated with earthing sheets and other grounding products, here are the highlights:
-
Improved Sleep: Grounding has been known to help regulate the body's circadian rhythm and lower nighttime cortisol levels, improving sleep quality.
-
Reduced Inflammation: Studies show that grounding can significantly reduce inflammation markers in the body, which is linked to various diseases and pain.
-
Enhanced Mood: Grounding can improve daily mood by reducing stress levels and positively affecting the nervous system.
-
Pain Relief: Grounding has been widely reported to alleviate physical pain, particularly in chronic conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
-
Improved Blood Flow and Cardiovascular Health: Grounding can improve blood low and reduce blood viscosity, lowering the risk of cardiovascular and blood diseases.
-
Lower Blood Pressure: Some studies suggest that grounding can be an effective technique to lower blood pressure, which creates a string of positive physical benefits.
- Enhanced Immune Function: Grounding may support the immune system by helping the body achieve a natural electrical state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does grounding take to work?
Grounding effects vary with individuals. Some experience reduced stress and pain within less than 30 minutes, while others may take several days or weeks to notice significant changes.
How often should you practice grounding each day?
Grounding does no harm, and being grounded all day and all night is beneficial. 20-30 minutes of grounding daily is usually recommended for noticeable effects.
Can you ground for too long?
Grounding has no strict limit, and it’s 100% safe to do for hours on end.
How long do you need to ground to get benefits?
Studies suggest that benefits such as reduced stress can be experienced in approximately 30 minutes of grounding. However, it's also practical to spread grounding practices throughout the day.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/