It’s one thing to stay grounded and remain humble. After all, it’s always important to remember where you came from. But it’s another thing to truly remember where you came from, by ‘grounding.’
We’re talking about Earth.
If you haven’t heard of the practice of “grounding” or “earthing,” it’s time to get connected. Referring to direct physical contact with the planet, grounding is all about touch and feel. While it may sound a little hippy, research is now backing it up.
Turns out, walking barefoot on the beach or grass, lying on the ground, and swimming in natural water all feel good for a reason. Scientifically, we are actually absorbing the planet’s electrons, which have been linked to all kinds of health advantages.
Don’t believe it? Here are five benefits of grounding and the scientific mechanisms behind them.
Whether you suffer chronic pain or just get little aches and pains here and there, grounding may be one way to address the issue. See, by connecting directly with the Earth, grounding can help neutralize free radicals in your body.
Basically, free radicals are molecules that bounce all around like bowling balls, damaging cells and causing injury on the smallest of scales. Over time, this can lead to all kinds of disorders and diseases. Fortunately, one study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grounding can dramatically improve symptoms in sufferers of chronic pain.
When we’re inflamed, it’s usually because of injury or infection. Now, while not all inflammation is bad (you get inflamed after working out), continued inflammation can become a serious problem. Everything from cancer to cardiovascular disease and arthritis can result.
The good news is, that grounding helps to reduce inflammation by cutting down on oxidative stress. See, when we absorb Earth’s electrons, they can function as antioxidants, which may allow them to treat those pesky free radicals, repairing the wear and tear of everyday living.
In fact, some research shows that just one hour of grounding per day can significantly reduce inflammatory markers in your blood.
Tired of being tired?
Sometimes, there’s nothing like being connected to nature to return you to your true biological rhythm. Just think about it. In the modern world, we’re all connected to our devices. We zip around on our smartphones and laptops, staring at screens, making calls, constantly bombarded with all kinds of electrical signals.
Fortunately, by reconnecting to the earth, we can detox from a lot of this, reducing the negative effects of all that artificial light and electricity.
Want to lower your levels of the stress hormone, cortisol? Need deeper, more restful sleep? Tired of insomnia? Give grounding a try!
Heart disease is a top cause of death across the planet, so obviously doing something about it is, like, super important! This is where grounding may play a big role. Research has repeatedly shown that grounding may actually thin your blood and make it less sticky. This, in turn, allows it to flow better. The result? A lower risk of clots, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues.
Circulation problems can lead to all kinds of other health issues, so this one’s a biggie!
Cognitive decline is fun for no one, especially when you can feel it happening but feel powerless. But here’s the good news. By grounding regularly, you can actually delay or possibly prevent the onset of conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
How does grounding help protect cognitive function?
Simple. Remember what we said about lowering inflammation and improving blood flow? Well, your brain is no different than other organs. It needs blood, it needs oxygen, and it doesn’t want to be in a state of chronic inflammation.
Some research even indicates that grounding may change your brain wave patterns, which can change the way you feel. Want to be in a better mood? Go for a barefoot walk on the beach or in the woods. Sprawl out on the Earth, or take a dip in a lake or river.
Mother Nature is here to help!
And at the end of the day, that’s what grounding is all about. While sometimes we’d like to escape society completely to some remote location, this probably ain’t practical for most of us. After all, the modern world beckons.
Fortunately, by finding our little slice of nature every day, we can get the best of both worlds. This simple but powerful practice allows us to tap into the ancient natural energy of our planet. It’s great for well-being, great for health, and great for finding the best version of yourself.
What’s not to love about that?
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