Living with anxiety, including conditions like PTSD and panic attacks, can be overwhelming and debilitating. Many individuals seek natural remedies to manage their symptoms and regain a sense of control.
Grounding, a practice that involves connecting with the earth, offers potential benefits for anxiety relief. By engaging with the earth's energy and electrons, grounding techniques aim to restore balance and alleviate symptoms such as fear, pain, and trauma-related stress.
This article examines the existing evidence and expert recommendations about grounding for anxiety and overall well-being.
Does Grounding Help With Anxiety?
Yes, there is evidence that grounding techniques, which involve connecting with the earth, focus on regulating stress responses and improving mood, thoughts, and feelings, thereby showing potential benefits for alleviating anxiety symptoms. Check the evidence below.
Evidence Rating: Moderate
The overall rating is considered moderate due to several factors. Grounding techniques have demonstrated promising results in reducing stress-related behavioral changes and improving mood, supporting its efficacy as an anxiety management therapy.
However, more extensive studies with larger participant groups and diverse study methods are needed to strengthen the evidence base and provide a conclusive assessment of grounding's effectiveness for anxiety.
Pros:
- Promising Results: Grounding actively reduces stress levels and alleviates anxiety symptoms. Incorporating grounding techniques into your routine can help you feel more relaxed, reduce tension, and enhance your ability to cope with stress.
- Endorsed by Healthcare Institutions: Reputable healthcare institutions recognize grounding techniques as a valuable way to support anxiety management. Grounding is increasingly acknowledged as a beneficial practice for mental health, contributing to improved well-being and alleviation of depression and anxiety.
Cons:
- Limited Research: The current evidence on grounding and anxiety is limited. More comprehensive studies are required to establish a stronger scientific foundation for the efficacy of grounding in anxiety management.
- Need for Larger Trials: Existing studies often have small sample sizes, warranting the need for larger trials to validate the findings and ensure the reliability of the results.
Scientific Studies
Multiple studies have investigated the effects of grounding on anxiety and related symptoms. In one study, researchers examined the behavioral effects of an earthing mat on stress in rats (1). The results showed that the rats exposed to the earthing mat exhibited less anxiety-like behaviors compared to the control group. This suggests that the earthing mat has the potential to modulate the corticotrophinergic system, which is involved in stress responses.
Another study focused on the mood-enhancing effects of grounding in adults. Participants were either grounded or sham-grounded for one hour while relaxing (2). The findings revealed that grounded participants felt more comfortable, happy, and relieved, statistically improving mood compared to the sham-grounded group. These results suggest that a one-hour contact with the environment can enhance mood and emotions beyond the effects of relaxation alone.
Furthermore, reputable institutions like the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (3) and the University of Rochester Medical Center (4) recommend grounding techniques, grounding sheets, including breathing exercises and meditation, to help with anxiety. Grounding is often used as a complementary approach alongside other anxiety management strategies to provide a holistic approach to anxiety relief. These grounding practices aim to restore a sense of calm and well-being, alleviating anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks, fear, and trauma.
The scientific studies demonstrate the potential benefits of grounding for anxiety and highlight the subjective experiences reported by individuals. By connecting with the earth's energy and electrons, grounding techniques such as grounding your bed for sleep offers a natural and accessible method for managing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.
Incorporating grounding into a comprehensive anxiety management plan under the guidance of a therapist or mental health professional, can provide individuals with effective tools to navigate their anxiety symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
While further research is warranted, the existing evidence suggests that grounding techniques can benefit individuals with anxiety.
If you're considering incorporating grounding techniques, or grounded sheets for earthing therapy into your anxiety management strategy, it is best to consult a therapist or mental health professional. They can provide personalized guidance and support, ensuring that grounding practices are used effectively and in conjunction with other appropriate therapeutic approaches.
Incorporating grounding practices into your routine as part of a holistic approach to anxiety management may contribute to overall well-being and help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Practice a grounding technique now to experience its positive effects on your body, brain, and mind, nurture a sense of calm, and promote mental health.
References:
1. Park, Hyun-Jung, et al. “The Effect of Earthing Mat on Stress-Induced Anxiety-like Behavior and Neuroendocrine Changes in the Rat.” Biomedicines, 26 Dec. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9855809/.
2. G;, Chevalier. “The Effect of Grounding the Human Body on Mood.” Psychological Reports, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25748085/. Accessed 7 July 2023.
3. Grounding Techniques to Help with Anxiety - Royal Berkshire NHS ..., www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/ijqdxpkb/grounding-techniques-to-help-with-anxiety_apr22.pdf. Accessed 7 July 2023.
4. “5-4-3-2-1 Coping Technique for Anxiety.” BHP Blog - Behavioral Health Partners (BHP) - University of Rochester Medical Center, www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety.aspx. Accessed 7 July 2023.
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