Grounding: The Natural Remedy for Fatigue Management For Travel Wellness
- Christopher Babayode
- Apr 5
- 5 min read
As a flight attendant with 20 years in the aviation industry and a naturopathically trained nutritional therapist, I was fascinated by Concorde and the unique experience of being able to see the Earth's curvature while flying at supersonic speeds. Although I never had the opportunity to work on British Airways' Concorde as crew, my curiosity about this phenomenon led me down a path of discovery about our planet's natural electromagnetic properties. Ultimately leading to one of the most effective remedies for travel fatigue management and jet lag related symptoms I've encountered – grounding.
During my years of flying transatlantic routes 4-5 times monthly, I was always searching for ways to maintain my health. My investigation into the Earth's curvature led me to learn about the Schumann Resonance – essentially Earth's electromagnetic "heartbeat" – which in turn led me to the practice of grounding. For frequent flyers like me, grounding has proven to be one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for preserving health while regularly crossing time zones.
What Is Grounding and How Does It Work?
Grounding, also known as earthing, is the practice of connecting directly with the Earth's natural electric charge. In simple terms, it means absorbing the Earth's abundant negative charge (free electrons) through direct skin contact with the ground[1]. These electrons serve as powerful antioxidants that help neutralize and stabilize reactions in your body that would otherwise lead to inflammation and ill-health[1][2].
The most straightforward way to ground yourself is to walk barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, sand, or soil. However, there are also technological solutions for when direct earth contact isn't possible – grounding mats, sheets, bands, and recovery bags that can be particularly useful for travellers.
Five Key Benefits of Grounding for Frequent Flying Travellers
Provides Deep Cellular Nourishment
When you ground yourself, you're essentially supplying your body with an additional source of electrons. These electrons serve as the ultimate antioxidants, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress throughout your body[1]. Free electrons from the Earth promote electron transfer, which is fundamental to numerous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory processes in the body[1].
It's worth noting that in traditional Chinese medicine, there's a significant kidney energy point on the sole of the foot – exactly where we make contact when walking barefoot. As a frequent flyer, I've found that connecting with the earth after deplaning provides an invigorating and restorative effect at a cellular level. My method of choice was my grounding sleeping bag I would use on the hotel bed.
Helps Reset Your Body to Local Time
While flying across time zones disrupts your body's natural rhythm, grounding can help restore balance. Multiple studies have shown that grounding influences cortisol levels, which play a crucial role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle[1][3]. Chronic sustained elevation of cortisol from travel stress can lead to disruption of your body's circadian rhythms, contributing to jet lag and sleep disorders[1].
Just 30-45 minutes of grounding after a flight can significantly affect your body's physiological markers, helping to normalize cortisol patterns and potentially ease the transition to a new time zone[1]. The rejuvenating effect can be so powerful that it helps travellers adjust to local time more effectively than relying on caffeine or other stimulants, and with longer term positive health consequences.
Improves Sleep Quality
One of the most consistent findings across grounding research is its positive effect on sleep quality[1][3]. For travellers, this benefit is particularly valuable since disrupted sleep is one of the primary complaints associated with jet lag.
The mechanism behind this improvement appears to be grounding's remarkable anti-inflammatory effect[1][2][3]. Being confined in a pressurized aircraft cabin for hours inevitably increases inflammation in the body, which can interfere with normal sleep patterns. The electrons you absorb while grounding help reduce this inflammation, allowing for deeper, more restorative sleep[1][3]. Using grounding sheets or recovery bags in your hotel room can be an excellent addition to your travel essentials kit.
Reduces Inflammatory Response from Flying
The invention of rubber-soled shoes has largely disconnected us from the Earth's natural charge. This separation means we no longer regularly discharge accumulated electrical charges from our bodies. When flying, you're even further removed from the Earth's natural environment, which can lead to an accumulation of positive charge in your body.
Research has consistently shown that grounding significantly reduces inflammation throughout the body[1][2][3][4]. After flights, this anti-inflammatory effect is particularly beneficial as it helps counteract the inflammatory response triggered by altitude changes, radiation exposure, and prolonged sitting[1]. When you ground yourself after flying, you're essentially reestablishing your body's electrical balance with the Earth.
Provides a Natural Energy Boost
Multiple studies have documented improved energy levels among people who practice regular grounding[3][4]. In one study of massage therapists, those who used grounding mats reported increased energy, reduced fatigue, and decreased pain compared to ungrounded participants[4].
This energy boost likely stems from multiple mechanisms. Grounding improves blood flow and reduces blood viscosity, which means your heart doesn't have to work as hard to deliver oxygen throughout your body[1][2][4]. Additionally, grounding appears to support the autonomic nervous system, improving heart rate variability – a key marker of cardiovascular health and stress resilience[1].
For travellers, this natural energizing effect can be far more sustainable than relying on caffeine or other stimulants to overcome jet lag fatigue.
How to Incorporate Grounding into Your Travel Routine
As a frequent traveller, I've developed several practical strategies for incorporating grounding into my routine:
Upon arrival at your destination, find a park or beach where you can walk barefoot for at least 30 minutes.
Pack grounding equipment like a portable grounding sleeping recovery bag that can be used in your hotel room.
Between flights, if you have a layover, look for outdoor areas at airports where you might be able to remove your shoes briefly.
Use grounding sheets in your hotel bed to continue the benefits throughout the night.
Make it a morning ritual at your destination to start each day with 15-30 minutes of grounding outdoors, which helps reset your circadian rhythm to local time.
Conclusion
After years of flying long-haul routes and experimenting with various wellness strategies, I've found grounding to be one of the most effective, accessible, and natural solutions for combating travel fatigue and maintaining wellbeing while traveling. The science behind this ancient practice continues to evolve, with research showing benefits ranging from reduced inflammation to improved sleep and enhanced cardiovascular function[1][2][3][4].
The beauty of grounding lies in its simplicity – no special skills, expensive equipment, or complicated protocols required. By simply reconnecting with the Earth's natural energy, we can tap into a powerful healing resource that our ancestors naturally accessed but that our modern, rubber-soled lifestyle has disconnected us from.
Next time you step off a long flight feeling drained and disoriented, try finding a patch of grass to stand on barefoot for 30 minutes. You might be surprised by how much better you feel – I certainly was.
The P.H.A.R.E Well® System uses tools like grounding and other sustainable tools to help frequent flyers overcome jet lag. Contact us for more information at info@nojetstress.com for a conversation about how we may be able to help you.
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