Introduction
If you were around for sleep trends on TikTok like mouth taping, bedrotting, magnesium supplements, or sleeping in 90-minute increments, then you were not alone.
A whopping 37% of Americans have tried some of these viral sleep trends. That figure jumps to 55% when you talk just about Gen Z.
There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence to support many of the sleep solution claims.
But are there sleep trends that CAN actually help AND have scientific evidence to back them up? As a certified sleep coach and write about things that help you sleep, I wanted an answer.
One current sleep trend that works is grounding sheets. And they can be found on TikTok too...
Grounding sheets (also called earthing sheets) are one of the growing trends that is getting a lot of attention lately.
Let’s get into the details of how this natural sleep aid bedding can help get you a better night's sleep.
What Are Grounding Sheets
It sounds a little crazy at first… a bedding solution that reconnects people with the Earth's natural energy. They’re used for sleep issues and as a part of a wellness routine.
I stumbled upon them recently as I am always looking for things to improve my sleep. A never-ending search, I like to say.
But what exactly are grounding sheets?
They’re specialized bed sheets (they can either be a fitted bottom sheet or a flat top sheet) with conductive materials woven throughout regular cotton. And you connect them to the ground port of your home's electrical system using a special cord - completely safe and harmless.
Wait… what? Plugging myself in at night? Well, that’s kinda the idea. And the science behind grounding sheets has been researched and is pretty interesting.
Did you know that 89% of people report better sleep quality after using grounding sheets?
- In one study, 50% of the subjects had near-instantaneous change in their EEG readings when grounded. This suggested lower stress levels and tension.
- Eleven out of twelve people in one study fell asleep more quickly, and all twelve reported waking up less during the night when grounded.
- A blind study of people with chronic pain and sleep issues showed 85% fell asleep faster and 93% had better sleep quality. 100% woke feeling rested!
So we know what grounding sheets are. But how do they do it?
They connect you with the Earth's natural electrical field while you sleep – you’d get the same thing from walking barefoot in the grass.
The fibers in the grounding sheets create this connection by allowing the transfer of electrons from the Earth's surface to your body.
Sound spooky? Well, not really.
These sheets work with your body's bioelectrical system. Did you know that your body is constantly generating electrical charges throughout the day?
The grounding sheets help you connect with Earth's free electrons and balance out this bioelectrical system and fight free radicals in your body.
The Science Behind Grounding
Let me tell you about the science behind grounding – it's actually way more fascinating than I expected when I first started researching this stuff for my sleep issues.
The fundamental concept of grounding is rooted in some basic physics principles.
Your body is essentially a walking, talking electrical systems. We've got electrons, ions, and electrical signals moving around everywhere inside us. You don’t think about it much, but these electrical signals control everything from our heart to brain function.
But there’s a problem.
Our modern lifestyle has disconnected us from the Earth's natural electrical field. Before modern times, humans were constantly in contact with the ground – walking barefoot, sleeping on the ground, etc.
But now? We're insulated by rubber-soled shoes, elevated buildings, and synthetic materials that keep us clean, warm and dry but disconnected from Earth’s electrical field.
When we make direct contact with the ground – or use grounding equipment like mats or sheets – these Earth's electrons can actually transfer into our bodies and help with everything from inflammation to cortisol levels.
Yeah, the science is promising, but we're still in the early stages of grounding research and its benefits.
Health Benefits of Using Grounding Sheets
Let me share what I've learned about the health benefits of grounding sheets after diving deep into both the research and personal experience. And I'm pretty excited about what these sheets can do, but I'm interested in the science behind it too.
Sleep Quality -this is my main focus and I was pleasantly surprised that my sleep improved after about two weeks of using grounding sheets. I just woke up feeling more rested than I had been. The research backs it up – studies have shown that grounding can affect our circadian rhythm that regulates our sleep/wake cycle.
Inflammation Reduction - the science backs this up too. Thermal imaging studies document how inflammation and pain levels were reduced with grounding
Exercise Recovery - here again reducing inflammation helps here, but also the studies show that blood flow improves with grounding
Stress Levels - grounding can help with calming your fight-or-flight response. We all could use that!
Everybody's experience is going to be different. While I've had great results with grounding sheets, it's not a magic cure-all.
But keep in mind, consistency is the key to getting the most benefits? As I mentioned, I noticed results with grounding sheets after a couple of weeks. And don’t let your other health routines fall off – it works best as part of an overall wellness approach.
How to Choose the Right Grounding Sheet
After buying my own grounding sheets and researching what’s out there, I've learned a ton about how to pick the right one. Let me save you time and hopefully money by choosing the best grounding sheets the first time.
- The conductive material really matters. The best grounding sheets typically use silver threads woven into cotton, and here's why – silver is super conductive and doesn't degrade easily. I learned the hard way that those inexpensive sheets will use stainless steel or other metals and just won’t cut it. Look for sheets with at least 3-5% pure silver content mixed with organic cotton. You won’t be sorry you did. You may see some grounding sheets with carbon as the conductive material -they are more durable than sheets with silver threads. Both are a good choice!
- Thread count is not about comfort here. Forget what you know about luxury bedding, because you want a thread count between 200-400 and not 800 like some fancy luxury sheets often are. It’s crucial for grounding sheets. Why is it important? High thread counts can actually interfere with conductivity of the grounding sheets!
- Size and fit are important because your grounding sheets needs to make good contact with your skin to work effectively. So make sure you don’t buy sheets too small or won’t cover both of you, if you have a sleeping partner.
- The connection cable and grounding port are important. Make sure the cable easily reaches your nearest grounding port. The best sheets come with a high-quality cable that's well-insulated and has a built-in safety resistor of about 100k ohms.
- Price point will be different for everyone. Expect to spend between $150-300 for a good queen size set. I know that sounds steep (believe me, I had sticker shock too), but those $50 "grounding sheets" on certain marketplace sites? They're usually too good to be true. I wasted money learning that lesson.
- Silver content. A reputable company will tell you exactly how much silver is in their sheets. If they're being vague about it, that's usually a red flag.
- Durability is another factor I've learned to consider carefully. Good grounding sheets should last about 2-3 years with proper care. Look for double-stitched silver threads and sturdy cotton. My current set has been going strong for 18 months now, while my first cheap set fell apart after just a few washes.
- Care instructions are another crucial factor in choosing the right sheet. The best ones can be machine washed on gentle cycle and tumble dried on low. Avoid sheets that require dry cleaning or complex care routines – you won't stick to it.
- Color options are more important than you think. Lighter colors let you see the silver threads better, which makes it easier to check for wear and tear over time. And some dyes can affect conductivity, so choose natural or light colors.
Grounding Sheet Installation and Usage
Safety first here. Don’t hook up your grounding sheets without testing your outlet! You need to make sure the outlet is properly grounded.. Grab a socket tester (they’re about $10). Many grounding sheets even come with a tester. This step is non-negotiable.
Installing the grounding sheet is pretty simple. Start by unfolding your sheet and giving it a quick inspection. Look for that little snap or connector tab – it's usually in one of the corners. This is where your grounding cable will attach.
The grounding cord should run toward the head or foot of your bed, never along the side where you might trip on it at 3 AM
The connection process is crucial – make sure that snap really clicks in place. A loose connection means no grounding effect, which I unfortunately discovered after a week of wondering why I wasn't feeling any benefits. The cable should then run to your grounded outlet, and plug in snugly.
You need skin contact for these sheets to work effectively. That means no thick pajamas or layers between you and the sheet.
Testing the conductivity is super important, and most good sheets come with a continuity tester. If yours didn't, then buy one – they're pretty cheap and give you peace of mind. You should test the sheet monthly because conductivity can decrease over time with washing and wear.
Washing grounding sheets is easy, but be careful. Use a gentle cycle with cool or warm water, never hot.
Drying the sheets– use low heat or air dry. High heat can damage the silver threads, which fortunately a friend had told me when I ordered my sheets. Also, you want to avoid silver oxidation - so don’t let the sheets sit wet in the washer. It will reduce conductivity.
And finally, for those of you sharing a bed – yes, two people can use the same grounding sheet! Just make sure both of you have good skin contact.
Conclusion
Ready to transform your sleep quality? Grounding sheets offer a natural, science-backed approach to better rest and overall wellness. Start your earthing journey today and experience the benefits of reconnecting with Earth's healing energy.
References
1. Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: Health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth's surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012. doi 10.1155/2012/291541 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/
2. Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Sinatra, D. (2017). Electric nutrition: The surprising health and healing benefits of biological grounding (Earthing). Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 23(5), 8-16.
3. Glick, M. (2021). Earthing and its otherworldly promises. Discover. https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/earthing-and-its-otherworldly-promises
4. Thompson, Dennis. Are Bed Rotting and Other TikTok Sleep Trends Good for You? https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-08-23/are-bed-rotting-and-other-tiktok-sleep-trends-good-for-you