There are endless things we can do to cultivate mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. However, one of the simplest and most powerful forces that we can harness and the answer to health may be quite literally under our feet ― it’s called earthing.
What Is Earthing?
Earthing, also known as grounding, refers to the process of making physical contact with the earth in order to help stabilise bio electrical systems which in turn promote mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Just like the sun nourishes us with vital energy, nutrients and vitamins, the earth is also a source of subtle energy that provides us with important elements that contribute to optimum health.
What The Science Says
The earth is a conductor of negatively charged free electrons, as are we. When we make contact with the earth, either directly via the skin or via any other conductive channel (for example water), we absorb these free electrons which act as antioxidants that neutralise free radicals and thus help stabilise energy levels and physiological rhythms.
If it’s easier, think of the earth as a giant battery. By connecting to the battery (the earth), we can boost our energy levels, physiological rhythms and ultimately improve our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Benefits Of Earthing
Years of extensive research has gone into uncovering the benefits of earthing, some of which include:
- Accelerates healing of injuries.
- Calms Sympathetic Nervous System.
- Detoxifies electromagnetic frequencies.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Improves general mood.
- Improves sleep.
- Increases energy levels.
- Reduces anxiety.
- Reduces pain and inflammation.
- Reduces stress.
- Regulates bio rhythms.
- Removes toxic radiations.
- Thins blood.
4 Easy Ways To Earth Every Day
Modern lifestyle, particularly in the Western world, has meant that more and more people have become disconnected from the earth’s energy. The good news is that earthing provides an easy and free way to reconnect. Here are 4 ways you can take part in earthing on a daily basis.
1) Walk Barefoot Outdoors
One of the simplest ways to experience earthing outdoors is by walking barefoot on either green grass, soil or moist sand at the beach. Moist ground is more conductive than dry sand or dry dirt ― in fact, the beach is one of the best places for earthing as the combination of sand and salt water is highly conductive.
2) Do Yoga Outside Without A Mat
Providing the weather allows you to of course, then practicing yoga outside without the use of a mat allows your hands and feet to connect with the grass, dirt or sand ― a fantastic way of earthing.
3) Gardening Without Gloves
Immersing yourself in the dirt, through gardening for example, is another great way of earthing. One of very few instances you can get messy knowing that you are benefiting from the experience!
4) Earthing Indoors
For those who are unable to take part in earthing outdoors, there are many products you can purchase online such as grounding sheets, grounding footwear and grounding mats which you can use indoors within your natural daily routine.
How Long Should You Earth For?
Naturally, the longer you can earth for, the better. Some say around half an hour each day is sufficient, however, you may still notice benefits with as little as five minutes of earthing a day.
Research has shown that your body will experience changes within just 4 seconds of earthing, while after thirty minutes you may notice a reduction in stress and more warmth in your hands and feet as a result of better blood circulation.
Earthing – A Case Study
The following image shows a 44-year-old woman with chronic back pain and inflammation (in red).
After four nights of sleeping grounded (right image) she reported:
- 30% reduction in pain.
- 70% reduction in pain interfering with sleep.
- 30% reduction in morning stiffness and soreness.
After four weeks, she reported:
- 80% reduction in pain.
- No sleep interference.
- 70% reduction in morning stiffness and soreness.
After eight weeks she reported her pain was gone.
Summary
Earthing is the process of connecting to the earth’s electrical energy in order to facilitate the transfer of negatively charged free electrons into the body resulting in powerful and sometimes instant physiological changes.
Benefits of earthing include improved blood circulation, improved sleep, increased energy levels, reduced anxiety, reduced pain and inflammation and reduced stress. While you may not be able to see the earth’s energy, you will almost certainly be able to feel and benefit from it.
