We’ve all gone to the beach, dug our toes deep into the sand, and sank into a soothing, relaxing feeling (and if you haven’t done that yet, you’re overdue!). What if we told you that it’s more than just a calm feeling and more of a scientific experience?
When your feet are planted to the Earth (and not just sand, but grass, dirt, and rocks, too), you’re taking part in what’s called earthing or grounding. It’s a process whereby the earth’s free electrons (created from things like lightning strikes, solar radiation, and other methods) transfer energy into our bodies, providing healing properties. Think of it like the sun and vitamin D. As explained in a review by the Eslevier journal, “Just as Vitamin D in our body is produced by energy and frequencies generated from the sun,… the Earth right under our feet provides unique energy and frequencies that directly influence our body… – a form of ‘electric nutrition,’ so to speak.”
This all might sound bizarre, but when you think of our neatheradal ancestors who walked, slept, and depended solely on Earth for everything, it’s easy to see that the connection between us and Earth goes way back. Unfortunately, overtime, that connection has dwindled down substantially because of everyday “advancements” such as houses, shoes, various modes of transportation, chairs, beds – basically every man-made thing around us. According to Clinton Ober Martin Zucker, in his book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!, “We’ve lost our electrical roots. We’re Earth-starved.”
So it would be no surprise if ailments and misalignments within our body were a result of that. Realistically, how could we expect our bodies to function at their best if they’re deprived of nature’s natural support system? Is it completely preposterous to believe that maybe we feel “off” because we’ve blockaded ourselves from the very things that give us the greatest power? Zucker doesn’t think so. In fact, he says that “Earth is a missing link in the health equation.”
So what kind of health benefits are we considering here as it relates to the benefits of earthing? The list below contains just a few areas that earthing could improve upon:
- Sleep
- Stress
- Pain
- Blood flow & circulation
- Immunity
- Inflammation in the body
- Muscle tension
- Menstrual cycles
- Overall energy
- Sinuses
- Headaches
These benefits are just the beginning, but crucial to consider. Earthing doesn’t have to be a full dedication – though it could be. Just the smallest amount of commitment to earthing could prove to be effective. For some, positive changes may be noticed within a short amount of time. For others, it may take anywhere between 30-60 minutes. Earthing consistently, however, is a good way to maintain consistency in your health, mood, and energy levels. The best thing to do, if you are committed to feeling better inside and out but are unsure if earthing is really providing noticeable results, is to log a journal everyday that you earth. Overtime, you might notice better sleep habits, reduced pain in your joints, and elevated moods, among other benefits.
Earthing 24/7 to reconnect with our roots is obviously the most ideal, but sometimes not always accessible. Luckily, with the help of advanced technologies, you realistically could partake in continuous earthing with products such as conductive mats, mattresses, socks, throw blankets, and more. Using an outlet and the accessories that come with the product, you can conveniently reap the same benefits as regular earthing, which could be a great way to keep up with your routine even during sleep, work days, and/or cold months of the year.
Is it just a scam? It may seem so, but the perfect example to prove it’s actually quite effective as the real thing would be the 2017 study executed by Pennsylvania State University Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Hershey. Doctors linked an earthing patch via a wire connected to the hospital’s grounding system and hooked the patch up to the skin of the babies, who were in their cribs or incubators. The results showed that earthing premature infants “produced immediate and significant improvements in measurements of autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning critically important in the regulation of inflammatory and stress responses.” Of course, there’s always more research to be done, but it’s amazing to think that something as simple as the act of connecting to the earth’s charge could prove to have significant improvements in health, even for a newborn.
No matter if you’re a beginner in your health journey or deep into the various and unique ways to advance your wellbeing, earthing is a simple but effective tool we all could use on an everyday basis. Our wish for you is to – before the summer is over and the cold months freeze the ground underneath us – take a moment in your day to earth and in doing so, consciously appreciate the feeling of your skin on its surface. Notice the changes in your mood and your energy and know that the synergy between you and earth is creating a magical connection that has been with you all along.
