‘Feel the Earth Beneath Your Feet’ – A simple adage can serve you several health benefits as the world is battling several chronic diseases. Grounding or earthing is a therapeutic technique that involves developing a connect with the ground or electrically connect with the earth.
The Earth is like a giant battery that possesses a natural electric charge and ‘being grounded’ to the earth can transfer those energies to your body making you feel positive and balanced. Read on further to know the science behind the ground energy, the healing benefits of earthing and how to perform grounding.
The Science Behind Earthing
During the normal process of metabolism in the body, reactive oxygen species commonly referred to as free radicals are generated. When too many free radicals infiltrate the cells and tissues, it can lead to high inflammation which is believed to be a key contributing factor in diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and more.
These free radicals lack a spark of energy known as electrons. So, one way to supply them electrons is by consuming antioxidants found in nutrients like Vitamin A, C, E, and polyphenols. Another way to get electrons into the body is through earthing. Earthing allows electrons to flow into the body which can neutralize the free radical damage.
Besides, carrying a positive charge can help the body in other ways. Electrical connectivity exists within the immune system defense and through grounding the natural defense of the body can be restored.
Healing Benefits of Earthing
Numerous studies show the effectiveness of grounding for several health conditions. Here are some of them:
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Reduce Inflammation
Grounding alleviates inflammation because it thins your blood and infuses your body with negatively charged ions. It is akin to consuming antioxidants, plus the healing touch of Mother Earth.
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Increases Energy at the Cellular Level
Your body is made of trillions of cells and within your cells reside your DNA and genes that remain unchanged. But, you can still change the expression of your genes through a better lifestyle. Inside your cells, the mitochondria generate energy or fuel that helps you function. The depletion of energy at the cellular level causes fatigue and mental slow-down. With grounding, you can improve the function of mitochondria and gene expression by supplying a fresh flow of electrons.
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Reduce Pain
Chronic pain, migraine and other types of pain can be significantly improved with grounding. A study with medical thermal imaging was used to image a 44-year-old woman with chronic back pain. Images taken after being grounded while sleeping for four nights, as compared to before grounding, showed reduction in pain by 30 percent, 70 percent reduction in pain interfering with sleep and · 30 percent reduction in morning stiffness and soreness. By eight weeks, she reported that her pain was gone.
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Disease Prevention
Research suggests that a general lack of grounding leads to electron deficiency syndrome and hence contributing to the progression of chronic diseases. Wearing rubber shoes and other shoes with soles, we are losing the connection with the Earth. Except for human beings living in industrialized societies, all other living things are connected to the ground’s electrical energy. Perhaps this is a reason why not many diseases were so rampant a few decades back when people were seen maintaining a close connection with the Earth walking barefoot, sleeping on the ground and the absence of high-rise buildings.
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Improved Circulation
Your overall blood circulation in the body improves assisting in better oxygenation and delivery of nutrients to various parts of the body. Better blood flow in the body, in turn, promotes heart health, stress hormone secretion and nervous system activity. Also, it reduces blood pressure by improving blood flow and viscosity.
How to Practice Grounding?
Research tells us that it takes about 80 minutes for the free electrons from the earth to reach your bloodstream and transform your blood. Here are simple ways to try grounding and experience its immense benefits:
Walking Barefoot – Walk barefoot in a patch of grass or ground for 10 to 15 minutes per day. If you have a beach close to you, walk in the beach sand. That’s the easiest way to do it.
A Cold Shower – Another grounding technique that involves cold exposure is taking a cold shower to improve your blood flow. If you are not used to taking cold showers, at the end of your hot shower, make the water cool for 30 seconds.
While Indoors, there are several grounding and earthing products you can try. For example grounding mats for lying down or grounding chairs, earthing patches, body bands and more. While walking outdoors you can try special grounding shoes or leather shoes that help the electric charge to travel easily.
Contradictions
If you on blood-thinning medications, you need to be cautious and talk with your physician before you start grounding. As always listen to your body signs to know if it works for you.
Overall, earthing is an easy therapeutic technique that helps you align your body’s energy by reconnecting with the earth. It is like charging your batteries from the superpower of the Earth helping you stay balanced, calm, strong, focused and a great stress buster.