The Powerful Effects of Grounding on the Human Body

What is Grounding?

As we age, we begin to embody what it means to be an adult. We get a career, watch the news, and have kids. Ultimately, we get distracted by societal standards that we tend to forget what our bodies need. Ironically, society has a way of distracting us from our lives. When you are swept up, however, in the daily hustle-and-bustle of your environment, problems arise, and the noise of the world distracts you from listening to your internal compass. One way to get back to yourself is by getting back to nature through a process called grounding.

Grounding, also known as Earthing, is a self-soothing method that allows your body to connect with the Earth and destress. In recent years, research has proved that the Earth contains natural electric charges that positively impact the human body. People have managed anxiety, decreased stress, and improved overall health by walking outside or implementing indoor grounding techniques. If you would like to disconnect from society and reconnect to mother earth, keep reading to find out the benefits of this practice and ways you can implement grounding into your daily routine.

History of Grounding

Throughout history, science has proved the positive effects that the Earth has on the human body. Many cultures and countries have embraced more natural and holistic practices in daily life, improving their physical body and mental health. One country that is known for its use of natural healing practices is China. Qi, pronounced chee, is a term in Chinese culture that describes the energy that flows within the universe. Chinese medicine also describes the natural energy flow and pathways within the body. It is often used in the practice of acupuncture to treat ailments. One of the earliest forms of research using grounding as natural healing can be found in German history. In the 1800s, a study called naturopathy emerged, led by one of its founders, Adolf Just, a German-born man of natural sciences. Naturopathy is a study that specializes in utilizing nature as a form of alternative medicine. In his book, "Return to Earth," he discusses how walking barefoot on the Earth can cure the body. He compared humans to plants and our feet to roots stating that we can draw strength from the Earth through our feet. Thus, the grounding movement began, and people began to explore what nature could offer instead of utilizing manufactured medicines.

Benefits of Grounding?

In 2015, the University of Oregon's Human Physiology Department conducted a study on the effects of grounding on the human body. They recruited 32 male students to exercise and split them into two groups of 16. After exhausting their muscles, one group was gifted grounding equipment to help facilitate their healing process. The second group, however, was given sham grounding equipment. The results were that the properly grounded group experienced a shorter pain time, increased neutrophils (strengthened immune system), reduced creatine kinase (less likely for muscle damage), and increased platelets in their blood. The sham group had pain for longer and a spiked level of creatine kinase (a greater chance of muscle damage). Therefore, the scientists concluded that grounding helped to improve muscle strength and decrease the possibility of muscle damage. Grounding also helps to improve hypertension, blood pressure, and stress levels. By being placed in an environment of constant stress, your body increases the levels of cortisol and adrenaline released into your bloodstream. It constricts your blood vessels and causes your heart rate to increase. Implementing grounding into daily practice allows your mind to find reprieve and puts you into a meditative state where your body has the space to destress and relax. Other benefits from grounding include increased energy levels, improvements in sleep, posture, immunity, bodily reflexes, and senses. As well as strengthening the nervous system, decreased ingrown toenails and calluses, joint protection, and less overall chronic pain. By connecting with Earth, the body emits a positive charge while Earth releases a negative charge. This energy exchange releases tension from the body, which balances its internal circadian rhythm. Reconnecting with the Earth's electrons causes your natural bodily function to return and recalibrates it to its natural, stress-free, and healthy state.

 

Ways to Incorporate Grounding into Your Daily Life

• Energy Healing Using Grounding Products

Grounding can be practiced by connecting with products designed specifically for grounding procedures. Some of these products include crystal, chair mats, and shoes. By wearing Energy Fashion, like KimonoGirl's Earth Kimono, you are connecting to the Earth's vibrations. Wearing the Earth Kimono promotes energy healing which would have the same benefits as if your feet were physically walking the Earth's paths.

• Walking in Nature

An easy way to implement grounding into your daily life is by taking walks in places like the beach or parks. Physically surrounding yourself with nature and connecting your body to the Earth's surface offers an exchange of electrons. It also allows you to practice being present in your body and surroundings. Thus, clearing your mind and leading to a decrease in stress. 

• Visual Yourself in Nature

By practicing mindfulness, you can reconnect back to the Earth's energy. First, focus on the ground beneath you and focus on your breathing. Next, visualize a physical connection between your heart and the Earth's core. This allows you to relax your body and open your mind enabling the flow of energy to travel with ease between the two of you.

By practicing grounding, you embrace mindfulness and being present in the moment. Even in the busiest of schedules, grounding can be incorporated by going on a quick walk during your lunch break or placing your feet on the ground and breathing. Ditch the stress and turn to energy healing, because by connecting to the Earth, you are connecting to yourself.