Have you ever noticed a sense of pleasure and relief when, after removing your shoes, you walked barefoot on a sandy beach or a field of green grass? I'm sure you did, but do you know what is the reason why we experience those lifting sensations?
If you, like me, love going shoeless whenever possible, you’d be interested to know that “barefootedness” is hard-wired into our genetic makeup and for good reasons.
It appears that the sensation we experience when our feet touch the ground is more than just a feeling. This natural connection with the Earth has profound and systemic healing effects, so much so that it is actively studied as a therapeutic experience called ‘Earthing’, also known as ‘Grounding’.
What is Earthing exactly?
Very simply put, Earthing means reconnecting your body’s energy systems to the Earth's subtle surface electric charge. This can result in a significant and often rapid stabilisation of the physiology of the body’s systems.
The benefits that have been observed are quite remarkable [1- 3], including:
Reduced inflammation
Improved pain
Lower stress levels
Better quality of sleep
Improved blood flow and lymphatic/venous return to the heart
Greater sense of well-being
One very interesting aspect is that these beneficial effects seem to be more noticeable particularly in individuals with chronic health disorders, making this simple lifestyle practice a valuable addition for those pursuing an integrative and holistic approach to health and healing, alongside nutrition, detoxification, exercise, stress management, social connection, and more.
What happens when we connect (and disconnect) with Earth's natural healing energy?
Our distant ancestors tended to walk barefoot, and their feet were strong and nimble, able to sense and react to any surface they encountered. Our modern way of life instead tends to create a disconnection between us and nature, and in so doing has removed the opportunity to easily access the Earth’s natural healing energy.
The effects of grounding on our physiology are explained by the fact that the Earth is an unlimited source of negatively charged free electrons. Every time we come into contact with the Earth's surface, our body is able to absorb these electrons, which then spread throughout our tissues and neutralise damaging free radicals (also known as reactive oxygen species, ROS) in our tissues. This mechanism is effective in bringing the body to zero volts, and creates a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the optimal functioning of all body systems, our biological clock, circadian rhythms, and cortisol levels.
Losing contact with the Earth may on the other hand contribute to electrical imbalances, a build-up of damaging free radicals, as well as an electron deficiency, all of which can contribute to vulnerability to dysfunction, disorder, and disease.
How easy is it to include Earthing in your lifestyle?
The natural (and free!) way to harness the healing power of Earthing involves spending time barefoot outdoors in contact with natural conductive surfaces, like grass, soil, gravel, stone, and sand.
As not everybody may be able to practise Earthing outdoors, for a variety of reasons, it is still possible to obtain the benefits of grounding indoors by using Earthing devices, such as conductive mats, pads, body bands, or patches, while sitting or sleeping (there are many good brands available nowadays).
So… if you are new to Earthing, if you have the opportunity and are willing to try, next time you’re in front of an inviting patch of earth:
Remove your shoes and socks
Step on the ground and feel the sensation that runs through your body
Envision your cells, tissues, blood stream, and all energy systems recalibrating as you do so
Repeat at least once a week (or more!) for greater health and a potent mood boost.
References:
[2] Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing)
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