Grounding Activities to Calm Your Mind and Reconnect with Nature
Let’s be real—modern life moves fast. Screens, noise, constant notifications, emotional overwhelm... it's a lot for a nervous system to carry. When I start to feel overstimulated or unrooted, there’s one practice I always come back to: grounding.
I know it sounds super hippie but I promise, it’s so simple and it doesn’t cost anything. It’s one of the most powerful and natural ways I know to calm anxiety, reset energy, and come back home to myself, through the Earth.
What Is Grounding?
Grounding (also known as “earthing”) is the practice of physically connecting with the Earth’s surface—think bare feet on grass, hands in soil, skin touching stone or water.
It’s based on the idea that our bodies can recalibrate through direct contact with the Earth’s natural electric charge. The Earth carries a mild negative electric charge. Our bodies, thanks to inflammation, stress, EMF exposure, and synthetic surfaces, tend to accumulate a positive charge. Grounding brings us back into balance by allowing our bodies to absorb free electrons from the Earth, which can neutralize oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. But even if you don’t dive into the science, the felt experience of grounding is undeniable.
When you connect with the Earth, your breath slows. And your thoughts soften. It’s one of the most natural ways to downshift your nervous system without needing a screen, a tool, or a plan.
Simple Grounding Practices to Try Outdoors
You don’t need a forest or a retreat. Just a few square feet of natural surface and a willingness to slow down.
1. Barefoot Walking: Let your feet meet real Earth—grass, sand, soil, stone. Feel the temperature, texture, and connection. This is nature’s nervous system reset.
2. Mindful Gardening: Get your hands in the dirt. Feel the soil. Breathe with the rhythm of the Earth as you tend to plants or herbs. Bonus: the soil microbiome also supports your immune system.
3. Water Grounding: Place your hands or feet in the ocean, a stream, or even a bowl of saltwater. Let water carry away what’s been sitting too heavy.
4. Lie on the Ground: Your back, your belly, your full weight. In the park, at the beach, even on a blanket in your yard. Let the Earth hold you. It’s one of the most ancient forms of somatic safety.
Can You Ground Indoors? Yes Girl! With a Grounding Mat
Sometimes working a 9-5 doesn’t always allow me to get outside as much as I’d like. That’s where grounding mats come in, and they’ve been a game-changer.
Grounding mats are conductive pads that plug into the grounding port of your home outlet (not the electric current). This allows free electrons from the Earth’s energy to transfer through the cord, offering the same charge-balancing benefits you’d get walking barefoot on the Earth.
You can:
Place one under your feet while working
Sit on it while journaling or meditating
Lay it on your bed to sleep grounded through the night
What to look for:
FDA-registered or third-party tested materials
Low resistance and verified conductivity
A clear grounding plug that connects only to Earth (no electric flow)
And always consult with a medical provider if you have an implanted device or are unsure about EMF sensitivity.
How Grounding Helps Me (and Might Help You Too)
Grounding is one of the few things I’ve found that consistently helps me:
Ease anxious spirals without needing to “think positive” just by spending time on the mat
Sleep more deeply and wake up less inflamed
Feel emotionally steadier, especially during hormonal shifts
Come back into my body when I’ve been floating in my head all day
It’s subtle. It’s not flashy. But over time, it creates a profound sense of calm resilience, like your body and the Earth are co-regulating. Grounding isn’t about being perfect. You don’t need to track your minutes or optimize your rituals.
Just ask yourself:
Where can I touch the Earth today?
How can I let my body remember it’s part of something bigger?
Whether it’s 2 minutes barefoot in your backyard, a walk in the park, or resting your hands on a grounding mat during your evening wind-down… it all counts.
This isn’t about “doing more.” It’s about plugging back in to stillness, safety, and support.
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Want to Rebuild Your Routine Around Nervous System Safety?
If grounding speaks to you—and you’re craving a way to feel more stable, centered, and nourished—I’d love to support you.
In my 1:1 holistic coaching, we create personalized rhythms and rituals that help you:
Calm your nervous system
Regulate energy naturally
Reconnect with your body and the Earth
Build a wellness routine that feels like relief, not pressure
Whether you're curious about grounding mats, nature rituals, hormone support, or emotional eating—we meet your body exactly where it is.
👉 Click here to learn more and take the first soft, rooted step toward your own healing rhythm.
Sources:
https://earthinginstitute.net/research/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830719305476
https://emfacademy.com/grounding-mats/
https://betterearthing.com.au/are-grounding-mats-safe/
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/grounding-and-sleep
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-grounding-and-why-do-you-need-it
