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Healing Benefits of Grounding

There are many health benefits of grounding (or earthing) to reduce inflammation and stress and improve sleep. #grounding #earthing #earthingbenefits #groundingbenefits

Have you heard of "grounding"? Sometimes it's also called "earthing." 

If so, is this part of your regular healthcare and self-care?

If not, you're going to be impressed by its health benefits! And you'll completely understand why this practice should be part of every person's daily routine, along with early morning sun exposure.

Let's dive in! 

Our bodies operate electrically.

Our cells transmit multiple frequencies that run our hearts, immune systems, muscles, nervous systems, and even more places.

The electrical energy inside our bodies needs to regularly be both recharged and grounded to function properly.

When you are electrically grounded, you may feel:
  • Centered
  • Balanced
  • Solid
  • Strong
  • Less tense and more relaxed
  • Less stressed
Overall, well grounded people tend to feel better and experience less pain than those who are ungrounded. Sounds pretty good, right? 

So, how do we get grounded?



People in ancient societies went barefoot or wore leather footwear made from hides, both of which allowed the electrical energy from the Earth to rise up into their bodies. In addition, the same people often slept on the ground. 

They were constantly grounded.

In contrast, those of us who live in industrialized societies are NOT grounded.

We rarely go barefoot outside or wear natural leather-soled shoes that allow us to absorb energy from the ground.

Instead, we wear rubber and plastic-soled shoes that act as a barrier to the Earth’s energy, insulating our feet from electrical contact with the Earth. 

In addition, few of us sleep on the ground anymore. In fact, many of us sleep, live, and work elevated above the ground, even incredibly high off the ground, as is the case for those living or working in high-rises.

Like me, who for years worked on the 5th floor of an office building and slept on the third floor of a townhouse.

But that's not all. We have a second set of problems.

Free radical stress from exposure to petrochemicals, air pollution, endocrine disruptors, cigarette smoke, insecticides, pesticides, trans fats, electromagnetic frequencies, radiation, mercury and other heavy metals, and many others toxins deplete our bodies of electrons. The negative electrical charge of electrons is good and healing... and we are constantly draining our bodies of them. 

ALL DAY. EVERY DAY. NON STOP ASSAULTS ON OUR BODIES.

Free radical stress also thickens our blood, allowing positive charges to accumulate in our bodies.
In this case, the excess positivity is NOT good, as it causes chronic inflammation, which is a hallmark of most chronic and degenerative diseases.

According to one study I read (full list of studies I consulted cited below):

"The disconnection from the Earth may be an important, insidious, and overlooked contribution to physiological dysfunction and to the alarming global rise in non-communicable, inflammatory-related chronic diseases."
What?!? Disconnection from the earth leads to physiological dysfunction and disease??? 
But wait...

Could reconnecting with the Earth have the opposite effect? YES!!!!!!!!!!!



Healing Benefits of Grounding

For generations, people the world over have instinctively known that walking barefoot on the ground -- on the beach, in grass, or through soil in a field -- enhances health and provides feelings of well-being.

More recently, scientific research has begun to confirm that sustained contact with the Earth yields positive, tangible health benefits. Benefits such as:

1. Decreased Levels of Inflammation and Pain
Grounding has been shown in clinical studies to effectively alleviate inflammation, pointing to the emergence of a simple, natural, and accessible health strategy for those who suffer from pain.

2. Improved circulation
Thickening and stickiness of the blood can lead to blood clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Grounding helps thin your blood by providing your red blood cells with a surplus of electrons so they can effectively repel each other rather than sticking together.

Other biochemical changes spurred by grounding include:
  • balancing of phosphorus ratios
  • better calcium and fibroid metabolism
  • decrease in white blood cells

3. Reduced stress levels and improved sleep
Grounding also helps calm your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response), leading to improved sleep.



HOW CAN I BE MORE GROUNDED?

Grounding or earthing refers to direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth, such as with bare feet or hands.

1. Go barefoot for a half-hour outside as often as possible.

Sit, stand, or walk on soil, grass, sand, brick, concrete, or ceramic tile. These are all conductive surfaces from which your body can draw the Earth’s energy.

The beach and sea/ocean water are by far the best and most conductive surfaces, which help us reap the benefits of the Earth’s fields. ⁣⁣The minerals in sea or ocean water are highly conductive, making it superior to lakes, rivers, and hot springs.⁣ 

Grass, especially wet grass, is also highly conductive. I've been known to stand barefoot in grass in temperatures down into the 40's (yes, I've had neighbors inquire what I was doing and conclude I was crazy!). Be sure to avoid chemically treated grass! Absorbing herbicides and fertilizers negates your efforts to ground.   

Sand, gravel, soil, and any natural rock are also great for grounding. ⁣Natural stones such as slate, granite, marble, and limestone are all conductive materials, as long as these are placed directly onto the Earth or untreated concrete (i.e. unsealed and unpainted). ️⁣

NOTE: Wood, asphalt, and vinyl are not conductive and will not help ground you.

2. When you can't get outside, take a bath or soak your feet with some Epsom salt to increase the conductivity of the water, which is connected to the metal piping that is connected to the ground.⁣

Here's how to properly soak your feet, along with some great recipes for doing so. 

Taking a shower works, too, as long as you touch the metal part on the drain with your foot while showering. ⁣
3. Potentially consider earthing mats or other indoor tools. 

Various types of grounding systems can also be used inside your home to achieve similar purposes. I've seen floor mats, sleep mats, throw blankets, pillow cases, computer mats, sleep bags, and a sundry other options.

If you intend on using Earthing mats, accessories, or grounding rods, ensure that your environment is shielded from electrical fields and dirty electricity first.⁣ Otherwise, dirty electricity around you will go through you better.⁣ Yikes!

If you're going to invest in an earthing device, choosing something to use while you sleep seems like the wisest way to go. Why? Earthing during sleep reduces night-time levels of cortisol and re-synchronizes cortisol hormone secretion more in alignment with the natural 24-hour circadian rhythm profile.



Ready to start grounding? If you happen to be in my area, you'll find me out in my yard being that "crazy neighbor" everyone talks about! 

Stay grounded, my friends!
Rachel 

EASY READ ARTICLE ON EARTHING

SOME PUBLISHED RESEARCH ON EARTHING (the science-y stuff!)

There are many health benefits of grounding (or earthing) to reduce inflammation and stress and improve sleep. #grounding #earthing #earthingbenefits #groundingbenefits

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