Barefoot Wisdom: Better Health through Grounding

by Sharon Whiteley

Discover how to reconnect with nature's energy and step into better health by grounding. Grounding means tapping into the Earth's freely available, always accessible, and ever-powerful natural energy to rebalance your body and restore your health. Among its many health benefits, grounding reduces inflammation, improves sleep, and restores energy. This indispensable primer gives you all the tips and tools you need to start grounding now. Find out how connecting to the Earth can counteract opportunistic ailments caused by nature deficiencies prevalent in modern society. Learn what our forefathers knew about natural healing and the Earth. Get the inside dirt on the myths and misconceptions, the facts and the fallacies. Read stories, studies, and testimonials that will inspire you to take that first life-changing step to getting grounded. By using the Earth as a treatment table - sole to soil - you can walk your way to a healthier future today.

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2018

Reviews

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves going barefoot, especially outside - in the grass, in a park, even on terrain-friendly hikes- I've been intrigued by Earthing/Grounding for many years. I am aware that a lot of the claims seem like a reach, and once Gwyneth and the folks at Goop got behind grounding, I figured the notion was doomed. But Sharon Whiteley does a good job of bringing the common sense elements of earthing to the forefront here, with an awareness that too much "woo woo" will turn off folks who are self-conscious about seeming too granola, or just being gawked at for strolling around the park or hiking in their bare feet.

The main message here is that we were born this way, and Native Americans - a people who are more atuned to the earth and healing than most of us - understood the value in living with minimal footwear. There is science that backs up the value of earthing, and there is science that rebukes it. I think it all comes down to personal experience. For me, it was simple - time spent in nature, feet on the earth, helped calm my restlessness, my anxiety, and helped me ease chronic insomnia. Of course, I also do yoga, meditate, and make other efforts in these regards so I can't say earthing alone has changed my circumstances, but I can say it - like a handful of kale on a plateful of vegetables - has contributed, and that's good enough for me.

Her presentation is sound. The only apprehension I have is when the use of grounding products is discussed (mats, blankets, etc). I have to remind myself that some people can't get outside, due to their health, the climate, or other mitigating circumstances. These tools may be beneficial to them, but I can't justify tossing $$ at products that try to emulate nature when the outdoors are fairly accessible for me. However, I confess to owning a Vitamin D lamp, because winters in Georgia, while fairly mild, are cloudy and bleak. A sadness washes over me from January to March, and the lamp helps overcome a bit of vitamin deficiency. So, who am I to say if the grounding products work - I just know I am fortunate enough not to need them as long as there are patches of grass or earth and it's at least 40 or 50 degrees outside. (Yes, I'm willing to brave the cold in bare feet.)

Here's to more people discovering - through personal experience - the joys and benefits of earthing. And here's to the wisdom espoused by Sharon Whiteley here. It's common sense guidance for you to take or leave as you please.

[Jarmo Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Whitley and Ann Marie Chiasson writes here about grounding and the groundbreaking health benefits it can deliver. They also answers some critics on grounding. Before this one I'd read "Earthing - The most important health discovery ever!", so Whitley and Ciasson doesn't tell us so many news that the previously mentioned Earthing book gives. Of course some new insight and clarity in som areas are given, like showers that have water from wells that's in touch with the earth will give some grounding, and sandy beach also have an extra deliverance of electrons, after salty seawater as the most effectiv grounding strategy. This book also gives us som new testimonies, especially from experts, but also from some prominent athletes. This book is pretty short, and could also have been a bit shorter, but for someone who hasn't read THE Earthing book, as mentioned, this can be a good and updated start.

[Cindy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great easy read full of helpful and inspirational health information... wonderful "live by" quotes too!

[Steve McHenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been sleeping grounded since July of 2020 and wear grounding shoes. It's definitely working for me. I'm not a tree hugging hippie, but the science behind it makes sense to me.

[Denese · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has some good information but was often repetitive.