Why Writers Should Walk On the Grass
As a child, long before I discovered my love of writing, I used to run out barefoot onto the grass every day.
It’s one of my first memories, actually—of my grandmother calling out after me to put on some shoes. “The bees will sting you!” she’d say. And as I ran through the clover, they did…so many tears ensued!
But shoes never sounded like fun, and I guess that even at such a young age, I already intuitively knew something about the magic of walking barefoot on grass. And now, as an adult and an author, I’ll take every opportunity to walk on the grass to nourish my health and fuel my creativity. (I’m always on the lookout for bees, though.) And if you’re a writer, too, and you haven’t yet tried it—perhaps this might encourage you to give it a go!
How does walking on grass benefit writers?
Walking on grass is a form of a practice called grounding, also known as “earthing”. Essentially, any time your bare skin is in direct contact with the Earth—like when you stand barefoot on grass, soil, or rock, or when you touch them with your hands, or even lie upon the ground outdoors—you’re connecting with this simple act. You’re connecting with nature.
We currently live in a world where we’ve become ungrounded and disconnected from the natural world around us. This is especially true for writers—we’re often indoors, typing away on our computers, texting on our phones, or chatting with others through our author social media accounts. I’m particularly guilty of this last one, but it’s so easy to get sucked in!
There’s a small but growing body of research exploring grounding, and some studies suggest it may help reduce inflammation, ease stress, and support better sleep. Although the findings are promising, the science is still emerging. One of the theories behind grounding is actually quite fascinating. Some research shows that when your bare skin comes into direct contact with the Earth, electrons move into the body, where they can help neutralize free radicals involved in inflammation.
What we know for sure is that spending time outdoors, away from screens and in fresh air and natural light, can help lower stress, boost mood, and support overall wellness.
Whatever the exact mechanism, something good happens when we step outside and reconnect with nature, and ourselves.
So how do we deal with this as writers? Thankfully, there’s some good news! Let’s get to the really good part now…here are three ways in which walking on grass before writing might actually help you.
1. Encourages centering and focus.
If you’ve ever found yourself plagued by annoying and worrisome thoughts, especially involving your writing, you’re not the only one! A lot of writers deal with self-doubt and uncertainty…this is absolutely normal. When you get grounded by walking on grass, it brings you back into your body and into the present moment—a perfect place in which to release stress, anxiety, and fear.
By being in the present moment, and connecting with yourself and nature, you’re essentially telling your negative thoughts to get lost. There’s no room for fear when you’re focusing on the now! And by being in connection with yourself through this practice, you can regulate your nervous system—shifting out of fight-or-flight mode, reducing cortisol (a stress hormone), and gently easing into a state of calm.
Instead of feeling frazzled and all over the place, you can approach your writing from a much more centered and focused headspace…which is exactly what you want when you’re creating fantastic new worlds, plotting a gripping, page-turning mystery, or writing a best-selling romantasy novel.
2. Inspires a creative flow of ideas.
Once you’ve tried walking on the grass and shifted into a calmer state of mind, you might discover that you’ve now opened up space for your creative writing ideas to truly flow.
Exciting, isn’t it?
Walking on grass isn’t just a way to release writing stress, but it’s also a moving meditation…a simple practice that allows your inspired, channeled ideas to move, too. When you’re free of the heavy thoughts—the ones that create writer’s block, self-doubt, and procrastination—it creates room for these beautiful, creative thoughts to flourish and thrive.
This is when the magic happens. The aha moments! The brilliant, channeled downloads that leave you slightly breathless! The instances where you think, “Wow. I am truly meant to be a writer!” All of these good things can come when you’re in a calmer, more relaxed state.
And here’s the truth…
You are meant to succeed as a writer! It’s written in the stars, goddess, just like your books are.
3. Allows you to feel good.
All the science aside, walking on grass before writing simply lets you feel good. Being outdoors in nature, in the fresh air and in the sunlight, does absolute wonders for your mind, body, and spirit!
Your feet have a lot of nerve endings and pressure sensors that connect them with other parts of your body. Walking on grass “wakes” your body up, along with your senses—enlivening each cell in your body.
While you’re walking on the grass, deepen your breath, and slow down and relax. Make each step a mindful one, becoming aware of the parts of your feet that touch the Earth. What sensations does each moment bring?
Let yourself feel it all. The grass…the soil…the little, annoying rocks…
All of it! There’s something truly wonderful about being alive in your amazing human body.
So, today, I invite you to kick off your shoes and take a stroll upon the grass. Let the Earth do what it does best, and your writing will follow. Just maybe watch out for the bees! Your next great chapter might be waiting out there in the clover.
Journal Prompts:
Grab your journal and reflect with these prompts after you’ve had your grounding walk:
How do you feel in your body after spending a few quiet minutes walking barefoot on the grass?
What would happen if you trusted your creative voice just a little more today?
What would make today’s writing session feel more joyful rather than productive?
As you stood barefoot on the Earth today, what did you notice about nature, your thoughts, or about yourself?
What part of yourself is asking to be heard through your writing?
How can you honor both your body and your creative writing today?
Where in your writing life can you invite more softness and ease?
Affirmations:
I am fully present with my writing today.
I breathe deeply and write freely.
I honor my body as much as I honor my creativity.
Happy writing, beautiful creative soul!
xoxo, Ana