A new trend called “earthing” aka going barefoot, has surprisingly tangible health benefits. “Connecting to and resonating with the electromagnetic field of the earth seems to be a logical way to promote harmony and balance,” says James Nicolai, M.D., YouBeauty Integrative Health Expert and Medical Director at Miraval Integrative Wellness Center in Tucson. “When we balance our own reactions and responses, our health improves. It seems intuitively right that the earth’s magnetic field can help us do that. Looking at the studies, all of which are small, grounding appears to provide some general health benefits, such as better sleep, less pain, reduced stress and tension, and better immune function compared to study participants who weren’t grounded.”
MORE: Are There Health Benefits to Going Barefoot?