One of my very favorite parts of summer is going barefoot. I’ve loved being barefoot ever since I was a child. I have so many happy memories of running through the grass, digging my toes into the sand at the beach, and sitting on the side of the tub at night while my mom washed our feet after long, barefoot days of summer play.

As I write this blog post, I’m sitting under a tree in my yard with my bare feet resting on the grass. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I feel deeply peaceful. It’s in moments like these that I remember: this is my Summer of Savoring.

For me, summer brings a sense of freedom—freedom to follow my own inner rhythm, to soak in the sunshine, and to be fully present in the natural world around me. This summer, I’m choosing to savor those moments even more deeply. And one of the most powerful ways I do that is through a simple, ancient practice: going barefoot.

You’ve probably felt it too—those magical moments when you’re walking barefoot at the beach, toes in the sand, waves lapping at your ankles, and a warm breeze brushing against your skin. You’re totally relaxed and at peace. Most of us chalk that feeling up to “being on vacation” or just being outdoors. And yes, nature is certainly part of it.

But what you might not know is that walking barefoot is doing something powerful inside your body, too. It’s called Earthing or Grounding, and it’s one of the easiest ways to reset your nervous system, reduce stress, and boost your well-being.

What Is Earthing?

Earthing (also called Grounding) means making direct contact with the Earth’s surface—grass, sand, soil, even unsealed concrete—with your bare skin. It reconnects you to the Earth’s natural electric energy, which is constantly pulsing with negatively charged electrons.

Our ancestors were grounded to the Earth nearly 24/7. They walked barefoot or wore conductive leather-soled shoes. They slept on the ground. But in modern life, we live and work in insulated buildings, and when we do go outside, we’re wearing rubber-soled shoes that block the Earth’s energy.

As a result, many of us are literally disconnected from the Earth. And that disconnection has consequences.

The Science Behind Grounding

You might be wondering—how could going barefoot possibly affect your health?

The answer lies in the fact that your body is electric. Every thought, movement, and heartbeat is driven by electrical impulses. And just like a battery, your body can build up excess positive charge, especially when exposed to EMFs (electromagnetic fields), inflammation, or chronic stress.

The Earth, by contrast, has a natural negative charge, full of free electrons that can help neutralize excess positive ions in your body.

When you walk barefoot on the Earth, those electrons enter your body and act like antioxidants—they help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are at the root of many health issues.

Proven Benefits of Grounding

Research on Earthing is still emerging, but the studies that exist are promising. Some of the benefits people report include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Improved sleep

• Decreased pain and inflammation

• Faster wound healing

• Better circulation

• Lower blood viscosity (which supports heart health)

• More energy

• Balanced cortisol levels

• Improved mood and resilience

One of the most powerful effects of Earthing is its ability to shift the nervous system out of sympathetic (fight-or-flight) mode and into parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) mode. This is the state where healing happens.

Grounding as a Mind-Body Practice

In a world full of stimulation, speed, and disconnection, grounding is a return to simplicity. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful healing tools are the ones that cost nothing.

When you walk barefoot in the grass, you’re not just absorbing electrons—you’re tuning into your senses. You’re feeling the textures beneath your feet, breathing fresh air, listening to birdsong. You’re dropping out of your head and into your body.

This alone can create a powerful sense of presence and peace.

How to Get Started with Grounding

The good news is, grounding is simple and free.

Here are some easy ways to practice it:

• Walk barefoot on grass, dirt, sand, or unsealed concrete

• Sit under a tree with your bare feet in the grass

• Lie on the ground (picnic-style!) and soak in the Earth’s energy

• Garden with bare hands in the soil

• Swim in natural bodies of water like oceans or lakes

Even just 10-20 minutes a day can make a difference—but longer is better. If you can ground yourself in the morning, it’s a wonderful way to start the day with calm and clarity.

And yes—concrete counts, as long as it’s unsealed (like a sidewalk or patio). Just avoid asphalt, which is made from petroleum and is not conductive.

Savoring the Summer Through Grounding

This summer, I’ve made a commitment to savor the little moments—and grounding helps me do just that.

I pause to stand barefoot in my garden while sipping my morning coffee. I sit in the grass under a shady tree when I need a midday reset. I kick off my shoes at the beach and let the waves wash over my feet.

These aren’t just pleasant moments—they’re healing ones. They’re opportunities to slow down, regulate my nervous system, and reconnect with the energy that sustains all life.

So if you’re feeling stressed, scattered, or overwhelmed… Try taking off your shoes. Feel the Earth beneath your feet. Breathe deeply. Let yourself land—fully—in this moment.

Because sometimes, the most powerful shift happens the moment you connect.

With love and barefoot joy,
Bonnie