Our bodies operate electrically, as does everything else living around us. And while every other living thing on this planet all connect to the ground’s electric energy, those of us living in modern societies find it much harder to do this. But we should, as the process of earthing and grounding can have so many great benefits to it.
In this article,we’re going to delve a little deeper into the world of earthing and grounding. We’ll then take a look at some of the things to look for in a good grounding mat and finally, give you the lowdown on some of the best available at the moment.
- Snap-on connectors
- Large size mat
- Long cord
- Decent size
- Comes with outlet checker
- Thin material
- Good quality
- Long cords
- Material a little cheap
- Beautiful blue color
- Easy to cut to size
- A little expensive
- Great price
- Shorter than most cord
- Doesn’t stay flat
What are Earthing and Grounding?
Earthing
Earthing means to protect a person from the potential of being shocked by an electrical device. An earthing mat is a device that connects to the earth via electrodes or rods placed fairly deep underneath the earth’s surface. Using an earthing mat essentially breaks the chain so that it a faulty current were to strike it would be carried to the ground as opposed to shocking the individual.
Grounding
While earthing is there to keep the individual safe, grounding is a preventative measure that looks to keep the power system equipment in good working order and free from faulty currents. With grounding, live parts of the power system equipment connect up to provide a return path back to the current in the event of a malfunction.
As you can see, these terms are very similar and are often used interchangeably. But, there is a distinct difference. Just remember that earthing deals with connecting the dead part of the equipment to the ground, whereas grounding deals with connecting the live part of it.
The Science Behind Earthing
Many doctors believe that until you connect with the Earth the body remains in an inflamed state. The Earth is a true source of free electrons that help to neutralize harmful free radicals within the body. While a certain amount of free radicals can be good in helping to fight viruses and bacteria in the body, too many can cause inflammation and eventually lead to the onset of a number of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
There are no electrons found in free radicals, meaning the more they accumulate within the body, the more electrically charged the body will become. Earthing is a way of balancing the body’s charge by applying a negative charge to it (i.e. an influx of electrons). This helps to neutralize the free radicals within the body, which in turn reduces any inflammation.
What are the Benefits of Earthing?
There are a huge number of health benefits associated with earthing including:
- Better sleep patterns
- Reduction in muscle tension
- Increased energy levels
- Reduction in stress
- Faster recovery following an injury
- A normalized blood flow
- Improved hormonal and menstrual symptoms for women
Are There any Downsides to Earthing?
There are no real downsides or side effects to earthing. However, it’s not without its critics. One post published back in 2012 in the MIT Technology Review was quite forthcoming about how ridiculous he thought the idea of earthing was.
But, each to their own, and at the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding. There are a lot of users of earthing or grounding mats all across the world. To say that earthing is pointless and does not work isn’t right in my eyes, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. One thing I will say though is don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Earthing Regularly
As you can see, the benefits of earthing far outweigh the downsides. The problem is that unless you live in a climate that’s hot all of the time, it’s going to be hard to walk around outside barefoot for an hour or so. And that’s where earthing and grounding mats come in.
These mats have been designed specifically to be used indoors as a way of reducing a person’s exposure to electromagnetic fields. And while they may not be as good as the real thing (i.e. being barefoot outside), they’re the next best alternative. Grounding mats can be used anywhere within the home, office, or any other building and are a great way to help keep you same from electric shock and help you feel more balanced within.
What to Look for in Grounding Mats
Grounding mats come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors, and it’s easy to get carried away looking at the design as opposed to what it does. The following are some of the more important things to look for in a grounding mat:
- Size. As mentioned above, grounding mats are available in a range of different sizes, so the first thing you should think about is where you’re going to be using the mat and how much space you have free. You want to ensure any mat you buy is big enough for you to place both your feet on and big enough to fit underneath the keyboard and mouse. A mat that’s too small is ineffective and won’t give you proper grounding.
- Cord length. Another thing to look for is that the length of the cord that connects to the ground rod is sufficient to allow for some flexibility. If the cord is too short, you won’t have much leeway and will always need to be quite close to the outlet.
- Design. While there isn’t a whole lot of difference in the designs of grounding mats, you can get some that have different colors or that are made with different materials.
- Connector. Connections to the grounding mat can vary. The most likely connectors you’ll come across are snap-on type connectors or alligator clips.
- Easy to clean. Grounding mats get quite a lot of use out of them. Those that lay underneath your feet will pick up all the dirt from your shoes and the floor, while those that sit on the desk will gather all the oils and residues from your skin over time. So, buying one that’s easy to clean is definitely something to keep in mind.
- Versatile. Most grounding mats are pretty versatile and can be used almost anywhere indoors. But just to be on the safe side, be sure to check that the mat you’re considering is suitable for the environment in which you want to use it (i.e. while working, sleeping, or relaxing).
- Snap-on connectors
- Large size mat
- Long cord
- Decent size
- Comes with outlet checker
- Thin material
- Good quality
- Long cords
- Material a little cheap
- Beautiful blue color
- Easy to cut to size
- A little expensive
- Great price
- Shorter than most cord
- Doesn’t stay flat
Reviews
Now it’s time to take a peek at some of the most popular selling grounding mats available right now. We’ve taken the time to test them out and see what they’re all about so you don’t have to. And here’s what we discovered:
Dimensions: 10 x 27 inches (25 x 69 cm)
Cord length: 15 feet
If you’re looking for a grounding mat that’s a decent size and of great quality then be sure to check out the Dr Mercola Earthing Universal Mat. Designed to help you maintain a consistent connection with the Earth, and gain an improvement in your overall wellbeing, this grounding mat is not bad at all. It’s got all the features you could want for in a grounding mat and more.
It’s lightweight yet large enough to fit both feet comfortably. The cord is nice and long giving you the flexibility to move around as need be, and the connectors are of the snap-on type which are much simpler to use than old-fashioned alligator clips. The other great thing is that because it comes with its own little cover, it’s so easy to clean. Simply wipe the mat down with soap and warm water and throw the cover in the was! The only slight annoyance is that it’s a little pricey.
Pros
Cons
Dimensions: 12.5 x 39 inch (32 x 99 cm)
Cord length: 15 feet
This universal mat kit on offer from Earthing is perfect for anyone looking to give earthing a go for the first time. Along with the fairly large grounding mat and standard 15ft earthing cord, you also get an outlet checker, and Earthing book and DVD to ensure you know what you should be doing.
The mat itself is a little on the thin side in comparison to Dr Mercola’s grounding mat, but it’s also a little less expensive too. Aside from the thickness of it, the overall quality of this grounding mat is pretty good and I have no concerns over its durability. It works just as good as any other grounding mat and comes with lots of extras, so overall, it’s a good buy.
Pros
Cons
Dimensions: 26 x 10 inch (66 x 25 cm)
Cord length: 16 feet
With the Lankissing Soft Mat Kit, you get everything you need and more to get started in the world of earthing. There are two decent sized quality mats, so you can have one under your keyboard and one under your feet, two cords, and two wristbands. The package also includes a handy user’s guide to help you out in case you get stuck.
In terms of quality, the actual material used to make the mats could have been better. But, the mats themselves are pretty well made and work as they should reducing voltage. They’re easy to use and considering you get two for the same price as some of the other grounding mats on this list, it’s a bargain.
Pros
Cons
Dimensions: Various
Cord length: 15 feet
Available in no less than 17 different variants, this grounding kit on offer from Bertech is by far, one of my favorites. The first thing I want to point out and absolutely love about this product is the color. It’s a nice change to see a bright and vibrant color grounding mat as opposed to a neutral or black one.
The other thing I really like about this mat is that it’s really easy to cut. So if you do find that you’ve ordered one that’s a little too big, simply trim it down to the exact size you want. The kit comes with everything you need to start benefiting from earthing, and so simple to use. It is one of the more expensive mats available, but in terms of looks alone, it’s worth it. Then add that to the quality of the materials used, and you have an absolute steal!
Pros
Cons
Dimensions: 23.6 x 23.6 inch (60 x 60 cm)
Cord length: 10 feet
The Rosewill Anti-Static Mat with Grounding Wire is great for anyone who has contact with electronics during part of their everyday life. It’s a pretty decent size and comes equipped with an alligator clip in which to help keep it grounded.
Unfortunately, there are a few issues with this mat you may want to consider before buying one. Firstly, the cord is only 10 feet long, making it quite difficult to maneuver the mat around. Secondly, it won’t stay flat. Because it’s shipped rolled, it stays that way when you try and use it. So, you may need to get some tape to hold it down if you do choose this option.
Pros
Cons
We hope you found the above useful and are now much more clued up as to what great benefits grounding mats have to offer and what to look for in one. If you haven’t yet made up your mind as to what mat you want, be sure to take another look at the Bertech ESD Mat Kit. It’s bright, it’s well-made, and as far as we can tell, it’s a pretty good investment.
Whichever grounding mat you do go for in the end, just make sure that it’s made by a reputable company with decent materials. At the end of the day, it’s your own good health your investing in. So, what price would you put on that?