Is it possible that the simple, regular act of walking barefoot on the Earth can reduce stress, improve sleep, relieve chronic pain and reduce insidious chronic inflammation?
We humans spend our entire lives on this planet, yet we barely make physical contact with the actual ground. Most of our time is passed indoors, often living and working in units hundreds of foot above the ground, wearing rubber or plastic soled shoes that insulate us from the earth, surrounded by electromagnetic fields (EMF) -Wi-Fi, mobile phone waves – and other types of pollution that build up positive ions in the form of free radicals in our bodies.
The earth’s surface is suffused with health-supporting negative ions, created in nature by the effects of water, air, sunlight and the Earth’s inherent radiation. Direct contact with the ground – called grounding or earthing – allows negative ions to rush into our bodies to neutralize the electro-pollution (free radicals) we’ve picked up, and, thus, return us to our most natural balanced state. This is the healing power of the earth we feel when we’re out in nature. It’s that fresh taste in the air you get at the beach, near a waterfall, after a storm.
All electrical outlets are grounded to avoid excess positive charges that interfere and weaken the signal. It’s the same with the body. Mostly water and minerals, our bodies are excellent generators of electricity, requiring equally positive and negative charge. While the earth’s surface is rich in negative ions – oxygen atoms charged with an extra electron – in today’s highly industrialized environment, exposure to pollution, cigarettes, pesticides, processed foods, radiation, etc., creates free radicals which deplete electrons in the system and cause a dangerous build up of positive ions that can lead to stress and disease.
Thus far, nearly two dozen studies, with more on the way, confirm the beneficial effects of the practice of grounding. According to the Journal of Environmental and Public Health. “The research done to date supports the concept that grounding or earthing the human body may be an essential element in the health equation along with sunshine, clean air and water, nutritious food and physical activity.”
Specifically, research has shown that grounding can be beneficial in defusing excess positive ions (free radicals), thus:
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing chronic pain
- Improving sleep
- Increasing energy
- Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones
- Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm
- Improving blood pressure and blood flow
- Relieving muscle tension and headache
- Lessening menstrual and female hormone symptoms
- Speeding healing – used in some place to prevent bed sores
- Minimizing or eliminating jet lag
- Protecting the body from EMFs
- Shortening recovery time from injury or athletic activity
- Reducing or eliminating snoring
- Helping support adrenal health
We need to reconnect with Mother Earth. When grounding – whether regularly walking, sitting or sleeping outside in direct contact with the earth or using devices (mats, gloves, socks, sheets, etc.) that create the same response while indoors – our bodies are in their most healthy, balanced state. Check out the resources below. There are no harmful side effects and you just might feel a whole lot more, shall we say, earthy.
Resources:
Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? By Clinton Ober
Grounded – the documentary
Barefoot Grounding – including devices for grounding indoors
How to Get Healthy While You Sleep
What Is Earthing or Grounding? – watch earthing videos
The Invisible Benefits of Grounding by Kimberly Snyder
The Biological Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep as Measured by Cortisol Levels and Subjective Reporting of Sleep, Pain and Stress – Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Fight Inflammation and Chronic Disease By Walking Barefoot on the Earth – Dr. Mercola