Walking barefoot
Imagine the last time you were walking barefoot on the beach. Enjoying the gentle touch of the sun on your skin and smelling the ocean wind as it brushes through you. Do you remember having a tingly sensation in your feet and legs as your feet continually have contact with that sand? The same thing also happens when you walk barefoot on the grass. During that time, you are grounded!
What does grounding mean exactly?
Also known as earthing, grounding is a therapeutic technique where you engage in some activities that help you connect electrically to the earth’s energies.
Even though the idea behind grounding may sound radical, it has scientific backings. Humans are bioelectrical beings carrying a positive charge. Over time, these can build up in our bodies. But since the earth has a negative charge, it becomes easy for us to discharge our excess energy when we connect to it through grounding. This hence has a healing effect on us at the cellular level.
There are lots of health benefits that have been associated with grounding, including helping to improve cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation and pain.
Some health benefits of grounding
Grounding reduces inflammation and pain
Research has shown that being grounded can help relieve inflammation and pain. In a study, grounding mats and patches were used to assess the pain-relieving potential of grounding on post-exercise muscle damage. The result of the study shows that grounding reduced muscle damage and pain by more than 50%.
Grounding reduces stress levels
Grounding has a beneficial influence on the stress hormone, cortisol. It helps to reduce the level of the hormone in the body. A study conducted on massage therapists who all complained of chronic pain and physical stress due to their physically demanding job, showed a decrease in stress and chronic fatigue after four weeks of sleeping grounded.
Grounding improves heart health
Grounding improves circulation throughout the body. Studies have confirmed that a long-term self-administrated grounding therapy can help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
Grounding improves anxiety and depression
This is one of the major health benefits associated with grounding practices. Different studies have shown that even one hour of grounding therapy can significantly improve mood.
Grounding combats sleep disorders
In the study mentioned above involving massage therapists, the participants also recorded an improvement in sleep quality and sleep length with grounding therapy.
Common Grounding Techniques You Should Try
There are different techniques of grounding and all of them focus on helping you connect to the earth. This can either be directly or indirectly.
#1: Walking barefoot
This is the most common and easiest way to connect to the earth, and you can easily implement it. You only need to walk barefoot on the grass, sand, or even mud. Doing this will let you enjoy the several benefits offered by grounding.
Plastic-soled shoes that came about in the last few decades have taken away the direct connection we had with the earth when walking, as shoe soles were made of more natural materials before plastic came about. We now need to make an effort to re-establish that connection.
#2: Lying on the ground
A better way to increase your skin contact with the earth is by lying on the ground. Just find a good and safe place you can lie to practice grounding therapy. This can be on the sand at the beach or on the grass in the park.
#3: Standing like a tree
This is usually called Zhan Zhuang and works best in nature. Some people recommend doing it barefooted. Stand at a point in nature taking fresh air for about 2 minutes.
#4: Submersing in water
This is another grounding technique that has been proven to be just as effective as others. Here, you will need to submerge yourself in a clear lake or swim in the ocean to earth yourself. However, when using deep waters for this type of grounding, ensure you stay safe.
#5: Using grounding equipment
Sometimes, it may not be feasible to go outside to ground yourself. This is a good alternative. You can use a variety of grounding equipment to achieve similar results. In fact, using grounding equipment to earth yourself makes it easier to incorporate grounding therapy into your daily routine.
Some common grounding equipment includes grounding mats, grounding patches, grounding blankets or sheets, grounding socks, etc.
I am now happily using an organic earthing sheet by RowlandEarthing here.
"Earthing during sleep provides the body with multiple hours of uninterrupted Earthing, at a time where we naturally undergo the most healing and regeneration. Using innovative Earthing technology combined with certified organic cotton, the Rowland Earthing Sheet transfers free electrons straight from the Earth to you, allowing you to stay grounded while you sleep." note by RowlandEarthing.
I am also experimenting with grounding socks, mat, and patches by Groundology here.
Visit Groundology for a wide range of solutions for getting grounded in everyday life, including earthing sheets, grounding mats, grounded footwear and more.
#6: The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding technique
This is more like an indirect way of connecting yourself to the ground and releasing some accumulated energy. To do this, first, find a comfortable place to sit with your eyes closed. Then take a couple of breaths. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Now open your eyes and take a look around you. Then name aloud:
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can feel – this could be textile of the material of your chair
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste – you can have a chocolate bar handy before you begin the exercise.
Take a deep breath and rest.
#7: Using Botanical-based products
Grounding is connecting to the earth, and many people have recorded success with grounding when they use certain plant-based products. If you don’t have the time to ground yourself outdoors and can’t afford some of the grounding equipment around, this will be a perfect alternative for you.
Having contact with the texture or scents of some botanical skincare products like certain essential oils and other plant oils is effective for grounding. You can check out some of Terre Verdi’s products. They help with grounding and promote a healthier life.
Final note
Now you see the several health benefits that you can enjoy from grounding therapy. It is gaining more popularity by the day and you should not miss out on it. You can do it with or without grounding equipment. However, whether you are doing it indoors or outdoors, make sure you choose an environment that is safe for you.