If there’s one thing we know about Meghan Markle, it’s that she’s an advocate for going barefoot in nature — also known as grounding.
“It demystifies,” the former Suits star told her friend Courtney Adamo during a public appearance on October 23.
In her Netflix documentary, she famously recalled being barefoot when she met Kate, the Princess of Wales. But Meghan isn’t the only celebrity spruiking the benefits of ditching shoes.
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has shared that she’ll press her bare toes into the grass whenever she’s feeling overwhelmed.
Grounding is part of a growing wellness trend — the idea that physically connecting the soles of your feet to the earth can help calm the nervous system and support overall well-being.
But, the question is: does grounding really live up to the hype?
What is grounding?
“The idea is that direct contact with the ground helps regulate your nervous system, reduce stress, and restore a sense of calm and presence,” meditation teacher and founder of mindfulness app Soul Alive, Luke McLeod, tells WHO.
“It’s based on the concept that the earth carries a mild natural electrical charge, and when your body connects to it, especially barefoot, it can help rebalance your own internal electrical activity.”
Luke points to a pilot study of 12 people, complaining of sleep issues, pain and stress. The study saw a reduction in participants’ cortisol levels after consistently grounding for eight weeks.
“It’s definitely a habit worth giving a go, especially when you’re feeling a little more stressed than usual,” he explains, adding that those feeling mentally “overloaded” might also benefit from grounding.
“In today’s fast-paced, screen-heavy world, grounding offers a simple way to step away from constant stimulation and reconnect with the natural world,” he says.
“By getting your feet in direct contact with grass, soil or sand, people often experience a calming effect that can reduce tension and bring a sense of stability.”
When is grounding appropriate?
But Luke doesn’t propose that we all ditch the shoes and head off to do the weekly shop without them.
“Definitely keep the shoes for the supermarket,” he says.
“Grounding isn’t about abandoning your shoes; it’s about intentionally taking moments to connect with nature.
“This could be as simple as taking a few minutes to walk around and water the garden at home barefoot, going for a quick jog along the beach barefoot,” he notes.
“Or, if you’re stuck indoors, take a minute to let the skin on your face soak up some sunshine coming through a window.”
How else can we ground?
Luke explains that we can achieve calmness by connecting with the present moment. Outside of going barefoot, another way to do this is through engaging other senses.
“Engaging with our hearing sense can be incredibly grounding,” he explains.
“This can be as simple as taking a moment to really tune in with the sounds happening around us at any moment.
“You can do this sitting at your office desk, walking down the street or sitting silently at home for a few minutes taking it all in.”
Touch can play a role, too. Luke points to simple moments, including holding a warm mug, running your hands over fabric or feeling different sensations.
“Even taste can anchor you,” he says.
“Trying to notice different flavours and textures in foods that you’ve never noticed before is a great way of bringing your attention into connection with the here and now.”
The bottom line
Luke believes that achieving a greater level of awareness through grounding is “the spearhead of all wellbeing” – and can impact decisions surrounding nutrition and exercise too.
“When we’re more aware, we make better choices, and better choices inevitably lead to better lives,” he says.
“Awareness helps us recognise what our body needs, when our mind is overwhelmed, and where our energy is best directed.”
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