The practice of “grounding” or “earthing” means to walk with your bare feet on the earth’s surface. Preferably while it’s wet but that isn’t absolutely necessary. It is a practice I was introduced to several years ago and can speak from personal experience on how it has improved my energy levels.
This is a practice that was originally viewed as “out-there”, counterculture nonsense but has evolved into a scientifically backed health practice. The fact that it is touted by Gwenyth Paltrow alone made me skeptical but considering I’m pretty openminded, I gave it a try.
I was forced to agree with Gwenyth (that actually hurts to admit) and did a bit more research on the subject to learn why I felt so good after practicing it for a short time.
The health benefits are numerous and include:
- Increase energy and vitality
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduce chronic pain
- Improve sleep patterns
- Reduce hormonal and menstrual problems
- Relieve headaches
- Reduce jet lag
- Accelerate recovery from intense exercise
Why does it work?
The Earth is a natural source of electrons and subtle electrical fields, which are essential for proper functioning of immune systems, circulation, synchronization of biorhythms and other physiological processes and may actually be the most effective, essential, least expensive, and easiest to attain antioxidant.
Modern science has thoroughly documented the connection between inflammation and all of the chronic diseases, including the diseases of aging and the aging process itself. It is important to understand that inflammation is a condition that can be reduced or prevented by grounding your body to the Earth, the way virtually all of your ancestors have done for hundreds if not thousands of generations.
Modern Lifestyles Inhibit Our Exposure to Nature
Throughout history humans walked, sat and slept on the ground, cultivated their land with bare hands and spent a lot of their time naturally grounded. However, today, we have become increasingly disconnected from nature by our modern lifestyle. Conductive leather-soled shoes of our ancestors have been replaced with insulated rubber and plastics. We sleep in beds and homes off the ground. Plastics, synthetic fabrics, asphalt, tar, carpets, vinyl have all been introduced and block this natural connection. To add to this we are also bathed in a sea of un-natural man-made electronic radiation from household appliances, mobile phones, wi-fi, microwaves and cell towers, which bombard us continuously with excess free radical damage to our tissues and cells. The Earth’s energy helps to knock these excess free radicals down so that your body can heal and repair naturally, as it is meant to. Therefore, to remain in good health, it is imperative that we re-connect with this natural energy daily to counteract the damaging effects of our modern lifestyle.
My Experience With Grounding
I can tell you after practicing grounding for several weeks, I could feel a difference in my energy levels. I felt calmer throughout the day and overall better able to manage my stress. I do not have a full 30 minutes per day to walk outdoors barefoot and it would be pretty uncomfortable for me to go that length of time in the winter. I simply walk outdoors while still in my robe each morning for about 5 minutes and fully engage my mind with the way my feet feel being directly on the earth. It is cold, exhilarating and quite frankly, something I look forward to each morning.
Give it a try. Experience for yourself the energy and health benefits of reconnecting with the earth.
To read more on this topic, visit:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9099/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-going-barefoot.html
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