Grounding

Grounding, also called earthing, is based on the idea that direct physical contact with the earth's surface, such as walking barefoot on grass, sand or soil, transfers electrons into the body in a way that some people believe supports recovery and reduces a general feeling of inflammation or stress. Since walking outside barefoot every day is not practical for most people, indoor grounding mats and sheets were developed to plug into a grounded outlet and simulate that same surface contact while sitting, sleeping or working.

A typical mat is placed under the feet at a desk, under a keyboard, or on top of a mattress, and connects via a cord to the grounding port of a wall outlet, which is different from simply plugging into power. The claimed effects are broad and largely anecdotal, and it is a good idea to view specific claims about inflammation or sleep improvement with some skepticism rather than as established fact, since the underlying research is limited.

If trying a grounding mat, check that the outlet it plugs into is actually grounded, since an ungrounded outlet defeats the purpose, and treat it as a low-cost addition to a broader recovery routine rather than a stand-alone fix for a specific health concern. Anyone with a pacemaker or another implanted electrical device should check with a doctor before using a grounding mat or sheet.