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San Clemente Journal

Earthing/Grounding A Natural Way to Better Health

Dec 28, 2018 03:12PM ● By Anne Batty

by Anne Batty, photo by Don Kindred

From the beginning of time humans have instinctually pursued the joy of walking barefoot; connecting with the earth. Just watch toddlers. They continually shed their footwear in order to feel the ground beneath their feet. And it is this human instinct in all ages that is leading health scientists to explore the idea that earthing/grounding – putting the body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth – can lead society to better health.

Contending that we are bioelectrical beings living on an electrical planet, these researchers say that we operate electrically. That all our cells transmit multiple frequencies that run, for example, our heart, immune system, muscles and nervous system. That in ages past, all living things on our planet were bare of foot and connected to the ground’s electric energy; but for many decades humans in industrialized societies have worn footwear that cause a barrier to the earth’s energy. Thus it is their theory that this is insulating society from electrical contact with the earth causing humans to become disconnected and ungrounded.  

What is Earthing/Grounding?
From a scientific perspective the idea of this practice is that the earth emits a mild negative charge. Think of the earth as a gigantic battery that contains a natural, subtle electric charge – a special kind of energy present in the ground. For safety and stability, most everything in the electrical world is connected to it, whether it is an electric power plant or our refrigerators. That’s what the term “grounded” means.
Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies are said to build up a positive charge, and it is believed that direct contact with the earth evens out this positive charge and returns the body to a neutral state. It is thought that when our bodies are electrically grounded we feel more centered, solid, strong, balanced, less tense and less stressed.
How can we get grounded?

Walking outside barefoot is the most obvious, easiest and cheapest way to practice earthing/grounding. To reap the benefits the skin needs to be in direct contact with rock, dirt or water.  Living at the beach we are in possibly the best place to experience this practice. Not only are sand and salt water extremely conductive, salt water is also very high in magnesium (said to relieve stress, sooth muscles, and calm the nervous system); perhaps that is why many people seem to sleep better when connecting with the beach and the sea.

In the past societies either went barefoot or wore leather footwear made from hides, allowing the energy from the earth to rise up into their bodies. Since it is purported that we have lost our electrical roots so to speak, weather and schedule permitting it is now advisable for us to go barefoot for a half-hour or so daily. It is suggested that we sit, stand or walk on soil, grass, sand or concrete as these are all conductive surfaces from which the body can draw the earth’s energy. And for the best results, like most health benefits it is good to sustain the earthing/grounding experience as a part of the daily routine.
Those who cannot make the time to go out barefoot have the option to practice indoor grounding, and there are various products available to make it happen. Earthing products like chair and bed pads, sheets, floor mats, body bands and more can be used while sleeping, relaxing or working. There are even grounding patches that can be placed on sore body parts.

Many participants on the Tour de France, supposedly including Lance Armstrong, have used Earthing Recovery Bags to speed recovery and increase sleep quality during the endurance race. And various Olympic swimmers, runners, and triathletes have also been said to use earthing methods and/or products as well.

 Benefits of Earthing/Grounding 
According to emerging research, the more time we spend connecting directly with the earth, the more our bodies will be infused by her life-force giving and balancing energy, with the ultimate outcome being lasting transformational benefits to our health, state of being and overall length and quality of life. This research is showing many clear and measurable benefits, a few of which include:
•  Decreasing inflammation and chronic pain by defusing excess positive electrons
•  Improving sleep by normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm
•  Increasing energy through improved blood flow and blood pressure
•  Lowering stress and increasing a sense of calm by reducing stress hormones
•  Accelerating the healing of wounds and shortening recovery time from injury
•  Relieving muscle tension and headache

Although often a controversial topic with critics pointing out the lack of sufficient, scientific support for the health benefits touted in earthing/grounding … human 
instinct has always known there is infinite pleasure in shedding our shoes to walk in 
the grass, stroll in the sand or wade in the sea. The scientific discovery that there might be considerable health benefits from this enjoyable experience is just the frosting on 
the cake. 

For books on the subject and earthing/grounding products visit amazon.com.