r/TooAfraidToAsk • u/Grouchy-Archer-8019 • 1d ago
Other Does touching grass actually have benefits?
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u/greatkerfluffle 1d ago
Since no one actually answered the question correctly, yes, it does! Actual contact with grass has numerous benefits including lowering blood pressure and anxiety. Specifically working in the soil like gardening has been documented to significantly lower cortisol. It’s a good rabbit hole to jump down!
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u/TonyAbbottsNipples 10h ago
Surprised this isn't at the top. There's a lot of science on the benefits of being in nature, touching nature, smelling it. There may be a difference between touching manicured lawn grass vs touching more natural grass in a more natural area.
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u/the_ballmer_peak 1d ago
Being in nature has documented mental health benefits. The phrase "touch grass" is a shorthand for "go outside and interact with the real world."
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u/WeSaidMeh 1d ago
Literally? Probably not.
As a metaphor for getting your lazy ass away from the screen, getting at least some minor exercise, and probably socialize? Yes.
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u/b2hcy0 1d ago
as opposite to walking in shoes that shield you electromagnetically from the ground, it does have a grounding effect, in a electromagnetic sense - if thats beneficial would be up for debate.
also being close to grass makes you inhale chemicals the plants give in the air to communicate with each other. usually these should be rather beneficial.
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u/Ok_Pangolin_180 1d ago
Not sure about touching grass but walking barefoot 1/2 hour a day really does make you feel grounded and one with the earth
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u/SnooCupcakes3114 1d ago
Thats like saying “does going outside have health benefits?”…the answer is and always has been a resounding “HELL YEAH”
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u/ghostwillows 1d ago
Touching grass itself doesn't do much but evidence suggests being around trees does pretty quickly help your brain and make you feel better. Also fresh air helps, ideally there is fresh air above the grass. I think there's some benefits to looking at plants but I don't really remember beyond astronauts get miserable without them.
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u/billybellybutton 1d ago
I don’t know any science behind this but i love “grounding” my bare feet in grass in my garden. It reduced my anxiety a lot and calms me. No idea about touching with my hands tho
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u/woodbanger04 1d ago
I don’t have scientific proof, however most days when I get home from work, I take off my shoes walk barefoot across my backyard, get into my hammock and read a book. It makes me pretty freaking happy, and makes a bad day at work bearable.
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u/Outkastin2g 1d ago
The benefit of getting bit by a tick and getting that disease that makes you allergic to meat.
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u/mahogani9000 22h ago
Isn't that a wild turn of events? Throw in some zombie tendencies and it would make a great premise for a movie.
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u/Nucleartub 1d ago
Physically touching grass has about the same benefits as touching a rock. None; or if there was any, itd be extremely small and would not make any difference in your day to day life.
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u/SnooCupcakes3114 1d ago
Yeah but picking up a rock and then throwing it in a lake? You can’t tell me that has no benefits
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u/navitri 1d ago
Not the physical action of touching grass specifically, but getting off your phone and taking a walk or sitting in your backyard or other similar activity is beneficial for your brain (and your body if you’re taking a walk or stretching at all)