Momentum Issue 21: Touch the Earth
We’ve lost our connection with the Earth.
With the introduction of shoes and spending a great deal of our time indoors, most of us rarely touch the earth on a regular basis. In fact, I wonder if you can remember the last time you had direct contact with the earth at all. This process is known as grounding, and it has benefits for almost every aspect of your health.
This week, try to get outside and touch the earth every day.
Importance
While it can sound a bit woo-woo, there is real scientific evidence to explain this phenomenon.
First, what exactly is grounding? What’s going on when we are in contact with the earth?
Grounding is the practice of reconnecting with the Earth, and more specifically, the Earth’s magnetic field.
The negative charge of the Earth is able to absorb the positive electrons from our bodies created from various processes within the body. Having too many of these positive electrons can wreak all sorts of havoc in our bodies.
This is something we have lost in the last millennium or so. The authors of a meta-analysis explain:
“Throughout history, humans mostly walked barefoot or with footwear made of animal skins. They slept on the ground or on skins. Through direct contact or through perspiration-moistened animal skins used as footwear or sleeping mats, the ground’s abundant free electrons were able to enter the body, which is electrically conductive…. Modern lifestyle has increasingly separated humans from the primordial flow of Earth’s electrons.”
Do you ever wonder why you feel so good after walking barefoot in the grass, or swimming in the ocean?
This is the impact of grounding.
There are 4 key benefits to grounding.
Improves sleep - A study looked at the impact of grounding on people experiencing sleep disturbances and found that the treatment group experienced better sleep and fewer chronic health symptoms.
Lowers cortisol levels - One study investigated the impact of grounding on cortisol levels and found a noticeable reduction in cortisol excretion. These participants also experienced improved quality of sleep.
Improves autonomic nervous system activity - Grounding has the ability to improve the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest system), which is important for our ability to downregulate. This was shown through an increase in heart rate variability (HRV) when grounded compared to when not grounded. HRV is a great measure of parasympathetic activity.
Lowers inflammation - Grounding has been shown to lower inflammation, which is very important with our current lifestyle which promotes chronic inflammation — leading to issues from autoimmune disorders to depression.
Implementation
Get in direct contact with the earth on a regular basis.
Walking barefoot in your backyard
Running around a sports field with your kids, barefoot
Placing your hands on a tree
Going into the ocean
Walking barefoot along the beach
Any situation where your bare skin is touching a part of the earth, whether grass, sand, water, or a tree will allow the transfer of electrons necessary for this process.
Aim for a minimum of 10 minutes each day.
Resource for the Week
The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding
This documentary is free to watch on YouTube and follows a family as they utilize the power of grounding to physically heal their daughter. It was written by and features Deepak Chopra.
Before you go
Here are some free links to articles that may be of interest to you.
Why Is HRV So Important, and How Do You Improve It?