A wellness reflection on grounding, reconnection, and why your bare feet may be one of the most underrated practices available to us.
By Odi · May 2026 · 4-minute read
Have you ever kicked off your shoes and walked barefoot on the grass, only to feel an almost instant sense of calm wash over you? That feeling is not just in your head — there is real science behind it, and a wonderful book called Earthing by Clinton Ober, Dr Stephen Sinatra, and Martin Zucker explores exactly why.
I have been reading this book and I simply had to share it with you, because it connects so beautifully with everything we do together in our sessions.
Earthing (also called grounding) is the practice of making direct physical contact with the surface of the Earth — walking barefoot on grass, sand, soil, or even concrete. It sounds almost too simple to be significant, but the science behind it is quietly extraordinary.
The Earth carries a mild negative electric charge. Its surface is abundant with free electrons — tiny energetic particles that, when absorbed through the soles of your feet (or any bare skin touching the ground), are thought to act as antioxidants in the body. They appear to help neutralise free radicals, which are increasingly linked in research to inflammation, pain, disturbed sleep, and accelerated ageing.
We have, for most of human history, lived in direct contact with the Earth. It is only in recent decades — with rubber-soled shoes, elevated beds, and concrete everywhere — that we have become largely insulated from it. Earthing is simply about reconnecting.
The book draws on a growing body of research suggesting that regular Earthing practice may:
As a Therapeutic Reflexologist, I work with the feet as a map of the whole body — every organ, system, and structure reflected in the soles. It has always struck me as deeply meaningful that the feet are also our primary point of connection with the Earth.
In Bowen Therapy, we work with the body's fascia, holding space for the nervous system to settle and the body to find its own way back to balance. Earthing seems to support exactly this — gently encouraging the nervous system toward calm, and in doing so, supporting the body's own capacity for recovery.
And in Reiki, we work with life-force energy flowing through the body. The Earth itself is a vast energy field. When we ground ourselves literally — feet on soil, skin on grass — we are tapping into that same intelligent, living energy.
These practices are not separate. They are all speaking the same language.
The beautiful thing about Earthing is that it costs nothing and requires no equipment. Here are a few simple ways to begin:
Barefoot outdoors. Spend 20–30 minutes walking or sitting on grass, sand, or natural soil. Morning dew on the grass is especially conductive.
At the beach. Salt water and wet sand are highly conductive. A walk along the shoreline is one of the most powerful Earthing experiences available.
Gardening with bare hands. Direct contact with soil counts too. Let your hands be in the earth.
Barefoot on natural stone. Marble, slate, and natural stone conduct the Earth's charge.
After rain. Wet surfaces are far more conductive than dry ones. A barefoot walk after rainfall is deeply grounding.
Start with just a few minutes a day if you are new to it. Some people notice a shift in how they feel within the first week.
I encourage you to step outside this week — ideally in the morning — find a patch of grass or earth, remove your shoes, and simply stand or walk for 20 minutes. Breathe. Be present. Let the Earth hold you.
Notice how you feel before, and how you feel after.
If you would like to explore Earthing more deeply, I highly recommend picking up the book. And if you would like to chat about how grounding practices can complement your reflexology, Bowen, or Reiki sessions, I would love to include that conversation in your next appointment.
We are nature. And sometimes the most profound healing comes from simply returning to it.
Health in Balance.
With warmth, Odi
Reference: Ober, C., Sinatra, S.T., & Zucker, M. (2010). Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? Basic Health Publications.
This article is shared as a wellness reflection and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for medical care. If you are managing a health condition, please discuss any new practice with your doctor.
I am always happy to weave a conversation about home practices — Earthing, breathwork, simple self-reflexology — into your next reflexology, Bowen, or Reiki session. Just mention it when we begin.
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