You may have heard of Earthing, or grounding, and thought, “what does this even mean?”. Similar to the concept of grounding electricity, us humans have electrical currents; our electrical currents allow messages to travel through our nervous system, giving instructions to our body, including pumping our heart.
Earthing refers to the concept of making skin contact with the Earth’s surface electrons, transferring the energy from the ground into the body. Our body releases reactive oxygen molecules (free radicals) to attack pathogens and damaged cells. However, they have a free electron, meaning they will steal electrons from other healthy cells, ultimately damaging them in the process. That damaged cell then needs to be destroyed, whereby our body releases more free radicals, entering a cycle of chronic inflammation. The Earth has an abundance of free electrons available; when we ground, the electrons flow through the body, pairing with free radicals and reducing inflammation.
How do we Earth?
- Walk bare-foot: one of the easiest ways to Earth is by walking bare-foot on any form of natural ground; sand, grass or mud – they all work!
- Lie on the ground: either on the grass or on the sand, under the sun is an added benefit!
- Submerse yourself in water: apparently clean water (i.e. clear lake, ocean) can also be used to ground.
- Use grounding mats: there are mats available specifically for grounding.
Each of these methods should be undertaken for at least 10 minutes.
Benefits
- Reduce pain
- Improved sleep
- Reduced stress
- Improved mental health
- Shifts body from sympathetic nervous system dominance (fight or flight) to parasympathetic nervous system function (rest and digest).
- Stimulated immune function
- Increased recovery time (from ilness)
- Improved blood glucose regulation
- Reduced blood pressure
Now that the warmer weather and daylight-savings is here, try taking 10 minutes of your day to soak up some sun & reconnect!
Stay happy & healthy,
Madeline xx