October 9, 2020
Grounding, also known as Earthing, are activities that involve reconnecting you energetically to the earth. It’s a scientific fact that electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your physical body. Our bodies are conduits of energy - if you’ve ever heard of someone getting struck by lightning, you know that whatever or whomever they’re touching at the time can get the jolt, too. Our bodily functions like our heartbeat and even our thoughts are made up of electrical impulses. The elements in our bodies (like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium) have a specific electrical charge, and nearly all of our cells use these charged elements to function properly. We essentially run on electricity. Grounding helps to reset and recharge this energy to a healthier state, and as a result, it can help with inflammation, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, offers a boost to your immune system and energy level. Also, because mind, body and spirit are all connected, it has much more than just a positive physical effect; it can help with anxiety, depression, and can even improve quality of sleep.
There are several ways in which you can ground yourself. One is simply by getting outside and allowing your bare feet to make contact with the ground. Hiking, swimming, camping, soaking your feet in the creek, sitting watching the sunset- anything you’re doing out in nature that establishes a connection between you and the earth is grounding. Just being outside and getting fresh air can be healing and rejuvenating for the mind, body and spirit.
As the weather gets colder, bundle up and spend some time in nature. Maybe even get a little crazy and go barefoot for a few minutes on the cold winter ground - just long enough to get in a little extra “earthing” or grounding. Right now in the northeast, our leaves are at peak color, and hiking is prime in so many beautiful locations available to us. Think about what nature is doing at the moment - preparing to conserve energy its stored from the fall, while absorbing the energy it still gets from the sun, moon, and the earth - just like us.
Grounding is absolutely possible indoors as well I do this with my clients in more detail as part of a guided meditation at the beginning of a Reiki session, but anyone can do it. Sitting or lying down, visualize roots growing from your Root Chakra at the base of your spine, growing deep into the earth, establishing a firm connection. Visualize healing nutrients and energy being absorbed by the roots you’ve just planted, and flowing up into the rest of your body. There are many stones that also provide grounding benefits that I enjoy using within my practice (black tourmaline being one of my very favorites).
Why does being in nature bring us such profound peace? We are every bit a part of the earth, a part of nature, as a tree. We rely on the earth for our health and survival (and she relies on us to keep her healthy, too). The healthier we are, the deeper our roots, the stronger our branches, and the more we thrive and provide for those around us. This is one of the things I’m referring to when I talk about getting back to basics, and remembering our roots (in more ways than one). This is one of those ancient practices that we have fallen away from that our ancestors didn’t think twice about. It was just a regular part of life, and is just as relevant to us today.
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