HOW GROUNDING KEEPS US HEALTHY AND GROWS OUR JOY

Remember running around the yard barefoot on the grass as a kid, feeling the warm earth beneath your toes? As it turns out, you were actually acting as your own “health insurance” plan without even realizing it. Placing our feet on the ground has numerous healing benefits that are just now being rediscovered by holistic healthcare practitioners.

THE SCIENCE OF GROUNDING

The earth, like our human body, has a flow of electrons. Its surface holds a negative charge, while the ionosphere (about 60 miles above the earth) holds a positive charge. Our bodies become out of alignment when we’re constantly wearing shoes or avoiding the earth’s surface, which leads to many diseases. The reason for this imbalance has to do with our immune system.

A certain type of white blood cell called a neutrophil is responsible for tending injured cells. This process of immune response creates positively charged free radicals that seek a negatively paired electron – and if they can’t find it they will rip it from a healthy cell. This is how inflammation starts and spreads.

With grounding, the earth provides us an abundance of negatively charged electrons so that healthy cells do not need to be bothered, and inflammation is halted.

“Earth and Moon Grounding Mat for Bed – 35.4″ x 23.6″ Large Grounding Pad Universal Starter Kit for Overall Wellbeing”

A MAJOR KEY TO DISEASE REDUCTION

‘Earthing’ introduces readers to the landmark discovery that living in contact with the Earth’s natural surface charge – being grounded – naturally discharges and prevents chronic inflammation in the body.”

There is a vast scientific body of work outlining both the increase in negative electrons that people experience after grounding and the numerous health benefits that arise from the body’s ability to reduce and reverse inflammation due to these electrons. This is important because chronic inflammation has been shown to be the underlying cause of a whole host of the world’s leading diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and fibrosis.

In fact, research has shown that grounding, also known as earthing, has a plethora of wellness-boosting effects. It helps improve sleep patterns, reduces TMJ and PMS, decreases wound healing times, produces changes in anxiety and depression levels, increases blood flow, and reduces the blood viscosity associated with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, study participants report feelings of reduced stress after grounding due to the lower cortisol levels that occur when the earth’s electrons are introduced into the body. Since 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians stem from stress-related issues, putting this free tool into daily practice is a great way to reduce healthcare costs while boosting overall well-being.

GROUNDING BEST PRACTICES

While grounding is largely a common-sense method to improve our health, there are still a few key techniques to keep in mind in order to ensure that you reap the most benefits.

“Being grounded can provide health benefits like better sleep, less stress, reduced inflammation, headache or tension relief, improved circulation, and more energy.”

* Earth’s electrons can flow up through bare feet, leather, copper, or metal-plated shoes. Avoid wood, vinyl/plastic, rubber, synthetic fibers, and asphalt when grounding. Sand, grass, and unpaved/unsealed concrete are also good surfaces for grounding.

* Research indicates that grounding for between thirty minutes and an hour a day is ideal, but this time is not written in stone. Use your best judgment if you feel you would benefit from more time spent in contact with the earth.

* Consider purchasing a grounding pad or grounding sheet to make it easier to ground indoors, and make sure your bare skin is touching it.

* If you travel for work and the airline will allow it, place your bare feet on the metal seat base to help counteract the rather significant charge that builds up in the body at increased elevations.

Our planet’s surface is ripe with therapeutic blessings that can boost our health immeasurably. The bottom line is that kicking off our shoes to enjoy Mother Nature is a scientifically sound way to add to our healthcare arsenal without spending a dime.