By Lisa Davis-Burnett
After a recent visit to California, Artist Jody Rosen reported that the Bay Area of San Francisco was now into “earthing.” She asked me with bright eyes: “Do you know what that is?” And as a trained geologist, I thought to myself, “I should probably know this.” I had to think fast but couldn’t manage it, so with a sigh I said, “Ok, what’s earthing?”
Jody, with feigned shock replied, “Why, you have to do at least a few minutes of earthing every day! Don’t you know?” With a straight face, she explained this latest trend to hit the ever trendy shores of California. “It’s taking off your shoes and going barefoot on the land.”
So this is what they are doing – hmmm. Interesting. Toes in the soil and whatnot. Ok, I get it. Seems a lot of buzz over nothing new here, but maybe I’m missing something. So I reached out to someone I knew could give me the inside scoop.
Kevin Lortie, long-time resident of the Bay Area, specifically the Palo Alto Scene, could neither confirm nor deny the earthing phenomenon, but does report that his feet have often touched the ground. So perhaps this whole thing is a red herring, much ado about nothing, and Jody has sent me on a wild earth chase – or perhaps my friend Kevin isn’t as hip and with-it as he claims to be. More research was needed.
Who else might know what’s trending in California? I reached out to John Berglund of Tijon Perfumerie in Grand Case, because he has a sister business in La Jolla, California. He shared this insight: “I actually did hear of earthing when visiting my daughter in San Diego recently. She's a fitness coach and health nut. I haven't researched it, but do like any suggestions bringing us closer to nature, whether it’s walking barefoot or avoiding harmful chemicals. I think it’s practiced regularly at Club O.”
Aha! Berglund’s joke about Club Orient had turned a key. We’ve unwittingly stumbled upon the critical question, perhaps the most important consideration: Is earthing coming here soon, or perhaps it’s already being done in St. Maarten/St. Martin? I don’t mean just going barefoot – I know plenty of folks do that – but specifically going barefoot with the intention of communing with the planet, and committing to do a bit of time each day in this pursuit.
The internet was no help whatsoever, only endless websites about earthing’s health effects, how it reduces inflammation and promotes better sleep, claims that our bodies need to be grounded like an electrical circuit, reams of research studies to back it all up – none of this was helpful.
Investigators will surely be keeping a keen eye out for any signs of earthing on this the friendliest of the many very friendly islands of the Caribbean, (plus a few real snotty ones). Reports of earthing sightings can be reported to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Watch this space for more.
Disclaimer: Going barefoot in the tropics, or really anywhere, can be dangerous due to foot injury and parasitic worms. Consult your doctor prior to any attempts at indulging in this risky behaviour.
