Im not talking about taking a glass of wine and retreating to a bathtub for 30 minutes or grabbing a fishing pole and heading to a lake to get away from it all.
While those two ideas do sound nice as well as taking a little "mommy time out"; grounding yourself can mean so much more.
Yesss!!!!!
This is exactly what I am talking about. Grounding is taking your bare feet, bare body, bare hands and getting into the actual ground. The health benefits are astronomical and are being proven.
Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to the discovery that bodily contact with the Earth's natural electric charge stabilizes the physiology at the deepest levels, reduces inflammation, pain, and stress, improves blood flow, energy, and sleep, and generates greater well-being. (cited from Science Direct)
Along with meditation and yoga; this has become a normal practice in our home. There is nothing like getting outside taking in some actual fresh air, a little bit of sun and feeling closer to each other and the earth all in one afternoon.
This is so easy........Here is some more information on the studies of grounding and below are the steps to start this process.
“Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better”-Albert Einstein
Clint Ober, author of Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever! and pioneer earthing researcher, worked 25 years in the telecommunications industry where grounding electrical equipment was a part of his daily work. One day the idea occurred to him: ever since the advent of rubber soled shoes, humans were no longer in contact with the earth. Could this be having an effect on human health?
As it turns out, the answer is a resounding yes. Humans are electrical beings: like everything both living and inanimate, we are made up of atoms which have a net charge that’s either positive, negative, or neutral. Just like electrical equipment, when our bodies are not grounded, there is a buildup of positive ions that wreak havoc on our health.
One of the first ways Ober tested his theory was in a study testing the salivary cortisol levels of grounded participants: and results were profound. While cortisol levels were all over the place before grounding, after earthing cortisol levels were regulated and synchronized with circadian rhythm. Furthermore, those who slept grounded via earthing sheets showed a normalization of cortisol secretion that started to increase at 4am and peaked at 8am (morning alertness). The only thing that changed in these sleeping subjects was the fact that they were sleeping grounded. His findings started him on a long journey of research, and resulted in scientists and researchers around the world looking into the remarkable (and plentiful) science-backed health benefits of earthing.
Inflammation is primarily caused by neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell the body releases when it detects a pathogen or damaged cell. Neutrophils are sent to the site where the pathogen or damaged cell is located, encapsulate it, then release reactive, electron-deficient oxygen molecules.
When electrons are stolen from healthy cells, due to a deficiency in free electrons, the immune system is then triggered: "oh there's more damage," and sends more neutrophils to remediate the newly damaged cells, and so begins a chain reaction. Silent, chronic inflammation that can continue for years. To prevent this inflammatory domino effect, it's easy: get grounded.
When you are electrically grounded to the earth, free electrons spread throughout the body, which has a resulting antioxidant effect. After the neutrophils release their oxidative burst and seek out electrons, the electrons from earthing are there to neutralize the situation by offering electrons, which prevents neutrophils from stealing electrons from healthy cells, thereby staving off the inflammation cascade.(cited from Earth Runners)
Here are 5 easy tips to getting grounded.
Tip #1 - Pack a lite snack and a bottle of water.
Obviously any time spent outside and connecting with nature could make your mind wander. Do this on a day that you can just relax.
Take the snack in case it is longer than you intended (hopefully it is).
Tip #2 - Take a walk and let your mind go.
While you are walking..let it go. Anything that you have left on your todo list or how employees drive you nuts at work or what bills you need to pay..let it go. When a negative thought comes into play, acknowledge it and release it. Start your meditation. You are entering a field of positivity..do not let baggage follow you.
Walking. I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands. ~ Linda Hogan
Tip #3 -Find your spot.
You may have acreage to roam or a backyard in the city. Either one will do. Find the
spot that you feel with bring you peace in this moment. If you are in the city maybe a pair of headphones(without music playing)would be helpful.
Tip #4 - Get into the ground.
Grass, sand, stone, dirt. We like to dig down deep to where the earth starts to feel cold.
Get your hands, feet, ankles in there and let them feel. Give yourself some time to soak it all in.
Tip #5 - Soak it in.
Feel the wind, the sun, the dirt in between your toes. Meditate into a place of calm and happiness and let yourself stay unbothered for a small moment in time. Let yourself matter.
The bottom line is to make time for yourself OUTSIDE. It is very easy to stroll through Facebook, Tiktok, eat a pan of brownies and down a beer and call it self care .
As humans the "I deserve this" part of our brains says to enjoy things that aren't so great for us in a fast way as a "treat". I urge you to take the time. Go outside, enjoy nature, let yourself just be, release your inner thoughts. Let your body be one with the ground and take away all the positive changes and charges.
Who could you go grounding with today? Where is your spot?
Wilson Wonders.
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