Go touch grass: How grounding can help you fight the winter blues

If you've been anywhere near social media lately, you might have seen the expression "go touch grass", meaning a person has spent too much time online and needs to get outside.

But according to Joanne Jones, a wellness expert from Trusted Psychics, the actual act of touching grass, also known as grounding, can be really beneficial if you experience low moods during the winter months as it is a natural way to boost your energy and state of mind.

"Grounding, also known as earthing, is a wellbeing practice that encourages you to reconnect with the Earth's natural energies by making physical contact with the ground," Joanne explains.

The wellness expert recommends walking barefoot or lying on the grass to connect with nature.

"Many people think of earthing as purely a warm-weather activity, but it can actually be incredibly beneficial when practised in the colder months," she says. "Adding a grounding session into your autumn and winter morning routine is a perfect way to stay connected to the earth's energy and feel more energised despite the colder, darker season."

Although we often want to spend more time indoors during the winter, we could benefit from spending just a few minutes outside each day, as studies have shown that grounding can reduce inflammation in the body, improve circulation and reduce pain.

"Even stepping barefoot on a frosty lawn for just a few minutes every day can invigorate the senses and improve your mood, which is especially important when the cold weather will make staying indoors with our gadgets more appealing," Joanne states.

"Just five minutes of barefoot time each day, whether on grass, soil, or even gravel, can make a noticeable difference," she continues. "If lying on the earth feels too extreme, try sitting on a blanket with just your bare feet touching the ground to ease yourself in."