You don’t have to be a hippie to enjoy feeling your bare feet on the raw earth. Grounding, also known as earthing, is a healing practice that involves electrically reconnecting to the earth. These activities that “ground” you to the earth rely on physics that reveal the positive effects of the earth’s electrical charges.
Nature is good for our health in more ways than many people realize. In this article, I dive into the science of grounding, how it can improve your well-being, and ways to practice both indoors and outside.
The Science Behind Grounding
While grounding is still an under-researched topic, recent studies have explored grounding as a way to heal the body from inflammation, cardiovascular disease, muscle damage, chronic pain, and mood imbalances.
The most notable theory suggests that connecting our bare skin to the earth has a positive effect on the living matrix, which is what connects all living cells within humans and nature. The working theory suggests the earth’s natural field of subtly negatively charged free electrons can neutralize free radicals, or unpaired electrons, that are toxic in the body.
The electrical conductivity within this system may provide a natural immune system defense, similar to that of antioxidants, that can be restored through grounding techniques.
Several studies have expanded upon this idea, such as a small study on grounding and heart health that showed a decrease in red blood cell clumping after grounding, an indicator of cardiovascular health benefits.
Other studies have revealed connections between grounding and improved mood, decreased muscular pain, and reduced inflammation.
The Benefits of Grounding
As mentioned, more research is revealing the powerful impact grounding on the earth can have on the mind and body. Benefits of this practice may include:
Reduced fatigue and increased energy
Reduced chronic pain
Faster exercise recovery
Reduced blood pressure & hypertension
Enhanced mood
Reduced inflammation
Increased circulation
It’s such a simple way to have a positive impact on your overall health!
Ways to Engage in Grounding or Earthing
There are many ways to ground yourself, but they all revolve around the act of reconnecting yourself to the earth. Here are some practices to build into your daily routine.
Walking Barefoot
With spring upon us and summer not too far off, kick off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your toes. With us being so close to the coast, there are plenty of sandy beaches just waiting for you to ground yourself on.
Letting your skin touch the natural earth, whether in the grass at the park or even mud after a storm, will allow grounding energy to permeate your cells and activate your body’s natural healing abilities.
Make sure to always watch where you’re stepping, and use common sense to avoid any uninviting wildlife.
Lying on the Ground
Like walking barefoot, laying on the ground has the same energetic impact. Go to the park and lie on the grass or spend an afternoon at the beach (we have so many here near Safety Harbor) and rest on the sand. As with ground barefoot, make sure to take the proper precautions to stay safe.
Swim in Water
Advocates for grounding suggest swimming in the earth’s bodies of water to ground yourself. If you swim in the ocean, you get the added benefit of salt water’s healing effects on the mind and body!
Ground Indoors
While you don’t get the many other benefits of nature for your well-being, alternative options with specific equipment are available when grounding outdoors isn’t an option. Many grounding products plug into the grounding socket in your electrical outlets, which is connected to the earth through wires and rods.
Indoor grounding equipment options include:
Grounding mats
Grounding blankets
Grounding socks
Grounding patches
Using a grounding mat at your standing desk can be a fantastic way to improve your wellness routine.
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Stay Grounded with Seed & Soil Wellness
By realigning your electrical energy with the earth, you can add another practice to your toolbox for tapping into your vitality and feeling your best! When used in conjunction with healthy eating, proper sleep habits, any necessary supplementation, and functional movement, grounding can help you level up your immune system and overall health.
Keep in mind that conditions like chronic fatigue, anxiety, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular issues often have underlying causes that you should discuss with your healthcare provider at Seed & Soil Wellness. Our practitioners address the root cause of disease so that you can start living symptom-free and truly thrive.
Schedule your FREE 15-minute Consultation with Dr. Damon at Seed & Soil Wellness today!