Scientists believe this flow of electrons from the ground may help balance your body’s electrical systems. It’s not some new trend—it’s just a way to reconnect with something always there. There’s no special skill or training involved. You’re basically using the Earth like a natural plug-in to stabilise your body’s internal environment.
That’s precisely why more people are now looking for grounding and earthing methods. More importantly, this can benefit your heart, one of your body's most vital organs.
Read on, here’s how it works.
Can Grounding Really Improve Heart Health?
Yes, grounding or earthing can improve heart health by helping your nervous system calm down, which affects how your heart functions. More specifically, it helps balance your autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the part of your body that controls things like your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing without you having to think about it.
When you’re constantly stressed, your sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight mode) stays more active than it should. This kind of overdrive puts strain on your heart over time. That’s where grounding steps in. It helps shift your nervous system back towards the parasympathetic state, which is more relaxed and recovery-focused.
That shift can lead to better heart rate patterns, reduced tension, and overall cardiovascular support.
Learn more: How grounding reduces stress and anxiety.
What Do Studies Say About Grounding and Heart Rate Variability?
Studies have shown that grounding can significantly improve heart rate variability (HRV), which is a key measure of heart health. HRV is the variation in time between your heartbeats, and it reflects how well your body adapts to stress.
In one study by Chevalier and Sinatra (2011), participants were grounded using conductive patches for 40 minutes while researchers monitored their HRV. The results showed a much higher improvement in HRV for the grounded group compared to a control group. The increase in high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) HRV components pointed to a clear rise in parasympathetic activity. This means their bodies were shifting into a calmer, more balanced state.
The grounded group experienced a 63% increase in HF activity versus a 33% increase in the non-grounded group. That’s almost double. Improvements in LF and SDRR (standard deviation of R-R intervals) followed similar trends. The findings suggest that grounding can lead to a meaningful change in how your heart responds to stress.
How Does Grounding Affect Stress and the Nervous System?
Grounding helps calm the nervous system by reducing overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system and supporting the parasympathetic side. This balance is critical because too much sympathetic activity is linked to stress, anxiety, and heart strain.
By shifting the body towards parasympathetic dominance, grounding helps regulate heart rate, reduce muscle tension, and even improve mood. Participants in grounding studies not only saw changes in heart rate variability but also reported feeling more relaxed during and after grounding sessions.
Researchers have also observed immediate changes in biological signals like skin conductance and muscle tension within seconds of grounding. That suggests the body starts responding to grounding pretty quickly, especially in terms of calming down the stress response.
Other Cardiovascular Benefits Observed from Grounding
Aside from better HRV, grounding has also been shown to reduce blood viscosity, which is how thick or sticky your blood is. Thinner blood flows more easily, and that helps lower the risk of clots, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues.
Some studies also noticed improved sleep and lower nighttime cortisol levels with grounding. Since cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone, keeping it in check at night is good for heart health too. When your sleep improves, your heart gets more time to recover overnight, and that adds to long-term protection.
Grounding may also support better circulation and reduce inflammation, both of which are important for maintaining good cardiovascular function.
How Long Does It Take for Grounding to Work?
Most of the changes in the body happen pretty quickly. Some people show changes in HRV and skin signals within just a few seconds. In the 2011 study, the grounded group experienced steady improvements across the entire 40-minute session.
The effects seem to continue as long as the body stays grounded, and some benefits may last even after the grounding session ends. That said, everyone responds a bit differently. Some people might feel the calming effects within minutes, while others may need a few sessions to notice a change.
Long-term grounding habits, like daily barefoot walks or sleeping on a grounded sheet, might lead to more noticeable and consistent improvements over time.
How to Start Grounding Safely and Easily
You can start grounding today by simply walking barefoot on grass, soil, or even sand. Moist surfaces work better because they conduct electricity more efficiently.
If going outdoors isn't practical, you can try indoor grounding products. These include grounding mats, sheets, bands, or patches that plug into a grounded outlet. Just make sure the products are tested and properly connected.
Safety-wise, don’t ground yourself during a thunderstorm and avoid placing grounding rods near electrical sources. Also, if you have a medical device like a pacemaker, talk to your doctor before trying grounding.
Are There Any Risks or Limitations of Grounding for People With Heart Problems?
Grounding is generally safe for most people, but it’s not a cure-all. People with implanted electronic devices or certain medical conditions should check with a healthcare provider first.
Also, grounding shouldn't replace standard heart treatments or medications. It can be used alongside your usual care, not in place of it. Some people may also need time to adjust if they’ve never grounded before, so starting slowly is a good idea.
In rare cases, people might feel a bit lightheaded or overstimulated during long grounding sessions. If that happens, just shorten the time and ease into it gradually.
Final Thoughts: Grounding as a Simple Step Towards Heart Support
Grounding has been shown to improve heart rate variability, support a calmer nervous system, and reduce blood viscosity. These are all good signs for heart health. While more research is still needed, current studies suggest that grounding is a low-cost, low-effort way to support your cardiovascular system.
If you deal with stress, sleep issues, or heart concerns, it might be worth trying grounding. Just a few minutes a day, either outside or using indoor tools, could help you feel more balanced and calm—and that may go a long way towards supporting a healthier heart.
References
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Cahyaningtyas, A. Y., & Muflikhun, M. A. (2023). Earthing Method as Lifestyle Medicine to Reduce Hypertension in Pregnancy in Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia Earthing Method as Lifestyle Medicine to Reduce Hypertension in Pregnancy. Journal of Health Science and Prevention, 7(1), 26-38.
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Chevalier, G., & Sinatra, S. T. (2011). Emotional stress, heart rate variability, grounding, and improved autonomic tone: clinical applications. Integrative Medicine, 10(3), 16-21.
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Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth′ s surface electrons. Journal of environmental and public health, 2012(1), 291541.
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Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., & Delany, R. M. (2013). Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 19(2), 102-110.
