The practice of connecting with the Earth's surface has been studied for its effects on physical health and emotional well-being. Initial research offers promising insights, suggesting that grounding ourselves—physically connecting with the Earth or through the use of mats—may offer more than just physical health benefits; it could also be a key to lifting our spirits.
Does Earthing Support a Positive Mood?
Yes, preliminary evidence suggests that earthing may support a positive mood. However, the available research is limited with small participant sizes.
Rating: Weak to Moderate
- Initial studies indicate improvements in mood following grounding sessions, showing promise for earthing as a natural mood enhancer.
- Participants in grounding studies often report feeling more relaxed and less stressed, which can indirectly contribute to a better mood.
- You can easily incorporate grounding, a low-cost and accessible intervention, into your daily routine.
- The body of research linking earthing to mood enhancement is currently limited, with few studies addressing this outcome directly.
- Small sample sizes in existing studies make generalizing findings across broader populations difficult.
- While stress and pain reduction through grounding may influence mood, direct evidence of mood enhancement needs further exploration.
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Scientific Evidence
In a study by Gaétan Chevalier, researchers explored whether grounding the body to the Earth affects mood. Forty participants were divided into grounded and sham-grounded groups for an hour while relaxing in chairs connected to grounding devices. Results showed significant improvements in mood for those who were grounded, suggesting even brief contact with the Earth could enhance positive mood states. This pilot study indicates grounding may offer more benefits beyond relaxation, warranting further research into its effects on emotional well-being (1).
Another study supports the finding that grounding can improve emotional well-being. In a groundbreaking study titled "The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers' Pain and Overall Quality of Life," researchers embarked on a six-week journey to uncover the impact of grounding on massage therapists (2). This group, known for facing occupational health challenges, experienced notable improvements in their physical and emotional well-being through grounding practices. The study meticulously measured various health metrics, revealing significant enhancements in physical function, energy, and mood, alongside reductions in pain, fatigue, and depressed mood. These results highlight grounding's potential as a holistic approach to improving the quality of life for those in physically demanding professions.
Another aspect where earthing shows promise is stress reduction, which indirectly benefits mood.
A study on "Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons" discovered that participants grounding during sleep showed normalized cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress (3). This aligns with subjective improvements in sleep, pain, and stress levels reported by the subjects. Therefore, reducing stress through grounding can play a crucial role in enhancing overall mood and well-being.
Another study examining the effects of an earthing mat on stress-induced behavior and neuroendocrine changes in rats found significant benefits. The research demonstrated that rats exposed to grounding showed reduced stress behaviors and neurohormonal changes, indicating the potential of earthing mats to mitigate stress responses through neuroendocrine system regulation (4).
Additionally, grounding's ability to reduce pain, a factor closely linked to stress levels and mood, further underscores its potential to influence emotional well-being positively. By addressing pain, earthing practices could indirectly contribute to improved mood and reduced anxiety.
These studies offer a glimpse into the potential of earthing to support a positive mood and overall mental well-being. From direct mood enhancement to indirect benefits through stress and pain reduction, earthing emerges as a promising natural wellness practice. This invites further investigation to deepen our understanding and validate these initial findings, potentially integrating earthing more comprehensively into strategies for emotional health support.
References:
- G;, Chevalier. “The Effect of Grounding the Human Body on Mood.” Psychological Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25748085/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2024.
- Chevalier G;Patel S;Weiss L;Chopra D;Mills PJ; “The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers’ Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Explore (New York, N.Y.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30448083/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2024.
- Chevalier, Gaétan, et al. “Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.” Journal of Environmental and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/.
- Park HJ;Jeong W;Yu HJ;Ye M;Hong Y;Kim M;Kim JY;Shim I; “The Effect of Earthing Mat on Stress-Induced Anxiety-like Behavior and Neuroendocrine Changes in the Rat.” Biomedicines, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36672565/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2024.
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