Get Grounded: Why Your Next Vacation Should Include a Little “Earthing”

If someone told you that walking barefoot could boost your immune system, reduce stress, and help you sleep better—all while reconnecting you to the rhythms of the planet—would you believe them? Welcome to the magical world of earthing, a travel trend that’s less about five-star hotels and more about a five-toed connection with the Earth itself.

Earthing, also known as grounding, is the simple act of placing your bare feet on natural surfaces—think grass, sand, soil, or even river rocks. It’s a practice rooted in both ancient tradition and emerging science, and it just might be the most unexpectedly luxurious thing you can do for your body and soul on your next adventure.

So kick off those shoes, roll up your pant legs, and get ready for an experience that’s both wildly primal and beautifully restorative.

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What Is Earthing?

At its core, earthing is about restoring the body’s natural electrical balance by physically connecting with the Earth’s surface. According to advocates and a growing body of research, modern humans have cut themselves off from the planet’s electrical charge by living in rubber-soled shoes and insulated homes.

Science-y? A little. But hear us out.

When you touch the Earth with your bare skin—feet in sand, hands on a tree trunk, back against a mossy rock—you absorb the Earth’s free electrons. These electrons are thought to neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing inflammation, pain, and stress. A 2012 study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health suggests that grounding can improve sleep, lower cortisol levels, and even enhance wound healing. Check it out here.

Now imagine incorporating that natural healing into your next hiking retreat, beach trip, or even urban park picnic.

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Where to Go: 5 Earthy Destinations to Reconnect

Earthing can be done anywhere, from a backyard garden to a neighborhood park.

But, if you’re ready to plan a trip with your soles in mind, here are five spectacular spots that make earthing feel like a spiritual spa day:

1. Tofino, British Columbia

This coastal village on Vancouver Island is where the forest meets the sea. Picture fog-kissed beaches, tide pools filled with starfish, and endless driftwood logs perfect for sitting and grounding. Try earthing while tide-walking at Chesterman Beach or during a forest bath in nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

2. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is famous for its vortexes—energetic hot spots that draw wellness seekers from all over the world. But even beyond the woo-woo, it’s a paradise for barefoot wanderers.

The red rock trails around Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock are ideal for earthing with a side of awe.

3. The Azores, Portugal

Think Iceland, but greener and warmer. These volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic are a grounding dreamscape. Soak your feet in geothermal springs at Furnas, stroll through ferny laurel forests, or lie down on a sun-warmed lava field.

4. Big Sur, California

Drive along Highway 1, and you’ll hit a string of earthing hotspots—from misty cliffs to redwood groves. Check out the Andrew Molera State Park for miles of unspoiled coastal trails and grounding-friendly grassy meadows.

5. Ubud, Bali

This spiritual heart of Bali is already known for yoga retreats and sacred temples, but its rice terraces and jungle trails also make it an ideal spot for reconnecting with the Earth. Walk barefoot through the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, or dip your toes in the healing waters of Tirta Empul Temple.

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How to Practice Earthing on Vacation

You don’t need a guru or special gear to try earthing—just a willingness to take your shoes off and slow down. But if you are looking for a bit more information, Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever! is an easy read.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Start with 10 minutes: The sweet spot for most people. Whether you’re sitting on a beach towel or strolling across a field, just make sure your skin touches the ground.
• Natural is better: Concrete doesn’t count (unless it’s unsealed and in direct contact with the earth). Grass, sand, dirt paths, ocean water, and even unpainted stone all work.
• Go full sensory: While grounding, tune in. Feel the temperature of the Earth. Listen to bird calls. Smell the grass or sea breeze. It’s not just about electrons—it’s about attention.

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Bring Earthing Into Your Everyday Adventures

Even if you’re city-bound, you can incorporate micro-moments of earthing into your travel routine:

• Have your morning coffee in a park and kick off your shoes.
• Pause your hike to sit barefoot on a boulder.
• Skip the hotel spa and lie down on a riverbank instead.

Or for the travel-obsessed minimalist: pack a grounding mat (yep, they exist), which connects to the Earth via a wall outlet’s grounding port. It’s not quite the same as beach sand between your toes, but it’s better than nothing on a red-eye flight or in a concrete-heavy cityscape.

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The Deeper Why: Disconnection, Reconnection, and the Earth Beneath Us

In a world dominated by screens, noise, and anxiety, earthing offers something radical: stillness. It reminds us that the Earth is not just a resource but a partner in our well-being.

And isn’t that what travel is all about? Getting out of our routines. Looking at things differently. Feeling something new.

When you build earthing into your travel plans, you don’t just bring back souvenirs—you bring back an actual shift in your body’s chemistry. A calmer nervous system. A better night’s sleep. A deep sense of connection.

So on your next trip, don’t just think about where you’re going. But, consider how you’ll land there—barefoot, open-hearted, and grounded in every sense of the word.

For best results, take a deep breath. Feel your feet. The Earth has been waiting for you.

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