If you’ve just started using a grounding (or earthing) sheet or mat and you’re wondering, “When should I feel something?” — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get from new customers.

Some people feel something straight away. Others take days, or even weeks, before they notice any real changes. And then there are people who don’t feel anything at all — yet still experience powerful benefits that are quietly happening beneath the surface.

So let’s break down what to expect, when to expect it, and why the effects of grounding and earthing might not be as instant as you’d hoped — but are very much worth the wait.

First: What Exactly Is Grounding or Earthing?

Grounding (also called “earthing”) is the practice of connecting your body to the Earth’s natural electric field. When you stand barefoot on grass, sand, or soil, you naturally absorb free electrons from the Earth. These electrons act as antioxidants and help neutralise inflammation, oxidative stress, and free radical damage.

Grounding and earthing products like sheets, underlays, and mats bring this connection indoors. They plug into the earth port of a power outlet (not the electrical current) and transfer the same stabilising negative charge into your body while you sleep or work.

But how long before it actually starts working?

A peer-reviewed study published by the Journal of Environmental and Public Health explores the science behind grounding and earthing, supporting its potential benefits.

How Fast Does Grounding and Earthing Work?

The short answer: it depends on your body, your health condition, your lifestyle, and how often you’re grounding or earthing.

That said, here’s a general timeline based on feedback from thousands of users and available research.

Within the First 24 Hours

Some people report an immediate shift in their nervous system. Common experiences:

• Feeling calmer or more relaxed

• A slight tingling sensation (usually fades)

• Deeper, heavier sleep

• Slight fatigue as the body starts healing

These are signs your body is switching from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state. It’s like hitting a reset button on your nervous system.

If you’re very sensitive, you might feel this quickly. If you have a lot of inflammation, tension, or sleep disruption, the changes may be subtle at first.

Within the First Week

This is where things start to stabilise:

• Falling asleep becomes easier

• You might wake up fewer times in the night

• Muscle recovery after training improves

• Morning stiffness or aches may reduce

• Stress levels feel more manageable

If you’re tracking sleep with a wearable, you may see improved HRV (heart rate variability) or longer sleep duration.

Not sure what HRV is? It’s one of the best indicators of your nervous system balance. Here’s a helpful explanation from the HeartMath Institute if you want to learn more.

But don’t stress if you don’t feel much yet. Just like going to the gym, benefits accumulate over time.

Weeks 2–3: Deeper Repair Kicks In

By now, grounding and earthing has had a chance to:

• Reduce chronic inflammation markers

• Help regulate cortisol (your stress hormone)

• Support better circadian rhythm alignment

• Ease chronic pain in joints or muscles

You might notice:

• Waking up more refreshed

• Less anxious or irritable during the day

• Skin starting to look healthier (less inflamed)

• Reduced headaches or brain fog

If you’ve been living with chronic symptoms for years, these shifts might be the first signs your body’s finally getting some support.

After One Month

This is where grounding and earthing becomes part of your baseline. It’s not a quick fix — it’s a long game.

By now, your body may have:

• Repaired low-level inflammation that you didn’t even know was there

• Reduced oxidative stress in tissues

• Improved sleep architecture (more deep + REM sleep)

• Balanced hormonal rhythms, including melatonin and cortisol

You might also notice better immune resilience. People often report getting sick less, or recovering faster when they do.

But What If I Don’t Feel Anything At All?

That doesn’t mean it isn’t working.

The effects of grounding and earthing are often silent and systemic. You might not feel it the way you feel caffeine or a massage, but that doesn’t mean your cells aren’t benefiting.

Think of grounding like taking magnesium or drinking more water — you don’t always notice immediate changes, but your body performs better in the background.

Also, some people are simply less sensitive to energetic shifts. That’s okay. You may be grounded just fine and thriving without dramatic sensations.

It’s also worth noting: if you’re already super fit, healthy, and spending regular time barefoot outdoors — your baseline is already good. So the contrast might not feel as dramatic compared to someone who’s constantly indoors, inflamed, and disconnected.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Grounding and Earthing

1. Use it consistently
   Don’t treat grounding like a supplement you try for two nights and forget. Use your grounding or earthing sheet or mat every night.

2. Relax — Skin contact is not essential with our Premium Underlays
   Our Premium Grounding Underlays are designed to work effectively even through your normal bedding and sleepwear. You don’t need bare skin for grounding to occur — simply sleep on your regular sheet over the underlay and let it do the work.

3. Skin contact helps
   You can ground through a sheet, socks, or pyjamas (especially with conductive underlays), but direct skin contact can give a stronger connection. Even one leg or foot is enough.

4. Reduce other stressors
   Grounding works best when you also support your body with decent food, hydration, and movement. If you’re highly inflamed, it can take longer to notice changes.

5. Track your progress
   Use a journal or sleep tracker. Write down symptoms like sleep quality, mood, energy, or pain levels. Looking back after 2–3 weeks might surprise you.

If you’re grounding and not feeling fireworks, don’t worry. It’s not a gimmick. Your body might just be adjusting slowly, or healing in subtle ways that take time to become noticeable.

Just like you wouldn’t expect six-pack abs after two workouts, grounding and earthing need consistency and time. But unlike a fitness program, it doesn’t require effort — just plug in, lie down, and let the Earth do the rest.

Stay grounded, stay patient, and trust the process. Your body knows what to do with the connection.

P.S. Want to dive deeper into how grounding works through clothes or sheets? Check out our blog: Grounding and Earthing While Wearing Pyjamas: Yes, It Still Works

Related reads:

• Still Waiting for Grounding to Work? Hydration Might Be Why

• How Long Should You Be Grounding & Earthing Each Day?

• What Is Grounding & Earthing?