By Karen Smith Several years ago I went on a family reunion cruise. One of our stops was in the city of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. While there, we decided to do a guided tour of various parts of the city. One of our stops was a brief visit to the beach. It was a visit I’ll never forget. Not because it was an earth-shattering event, but because a natural phenomenon took place that left a lasting impression on me. Let me first begin by saying that I am a city girl—born and raised in New York City. Beaches were never a spot I frequented as a child and very few times during my adulthood. My encounters with beaches were primarily through viewing photographs, television, and/or movies. As I visited the beach that day, I drew close enough to the ocean water to have it run over my feet. It was very hot and it felt so good and refreshing to have my feet cooled by the water. After some time, we headed back to the vehicle for the remainder of our tour. It was there in the vehicle that I began to notice this sensation of tingling in my feet. My feet felt so alive or “electrified.” It was an amazing feeling--a strong sense of well-being all over my body. It was some time later that I found out that the experience I had was actually the result of something known as Earthing. Although Earthing can be a controversial subject, there are many who proclaim wonderful benefits from it while critics state that more scientific studies are needed to support this practice. What Is Earthing/Grounding? Earthing, or grounding as it is also called, is the discovery of being able to harness the natural energy from the earth by simply walking or sitting barefoot outdoors. Throughout history, humans have had direct, physical contact with the earth through walking, standing, sitting or sleeping on the ground. It is through this contact that electrons from the earth are transferred into the body—providing a natural healing energy. Through this practice one is able to revitalize the body—reducing inflammation and pain. Why Are We Disconnected? Unfortunately, as we have progressed as a society and become more sophisticated, we are indoors more often than not. We have taken advantage of the modern conveniences of today, which ultimately minimize our need for outdoor activities and limit our contact with the earth. Even when we are outdoors, what direct contact do you have with the earth? Because of the shoes we wear, vehicles we drive, and clothing we wear, many will say that there is little to no direct contact with the earth. How Does Earthing Work? Your body soaks up electrons from the ground when you practice Earthing or Grounding. The electrons move throughout your body and provide “electric nutrition”2—a term used by the Earthing Institute. Why is it even important to have an abundant source of electrons? Our bodily functions like breathing, digesting food, and eliminating wastes are daily activities that take place to keep us alive. The biological processes by which these functions happen is called metabolism. Metabolism converts the food and drink we consume into energy which allows for our growth, movement and reproduction. A natural byproduct of metabolism is the production of free radicals. Some free radicals are beneficial, but others—particularly in excess—can do quite a bit of damage in the body. Free radicals are created when electrons, which like to be in pairs, lose its partner and make them unstable. They will wreak havoc on the body as they seek to find other electrons they can pair with. This process causes damage to cells, proteins and DNA3. So, in order to avoid undue damage to the body, it’s beneficial to have a healthy balance of free radicals and electrons. Hence, grounding can be a simple but beneficial way of replenishing our electron deficiencies. What are the Benefits?
My personal story above is anecdotal and there are many others that can tell their story about the benefits they received from Earthing. According to the Earthing Institute, the following are benefits you can receive from Earthing.4
Before you write off this practice as absurdity, I encourage you to try it. You can go to the beach and get in the water, or at a minimum allow the water to run over your feet or walk on the wet sand. Another option is to stand or walk on the grass barefoot in your yard or sit in a chair with your bare feet touching the earth. I've done this and experienced the same feeling I had at the beach. This is particularly invigorating during the early morning or evening when there is dew on the ground or after rain showers or a storm. I think you will be amazed at how you feel. Try it for 30 minutes. If you don't have 30 minutes, then any amount of time is beneficial. Of course, the longer you do it, the greater benefits you will receive. If you don’t have access to the beach or may not be able to get outdoors as often as you like, you can still benefit from the Earth’s energy in the privacy of your own home through various Earthing products (i.e. mats, bands, sheets, etc.). I utilize these products and am thankful for them when I sleep and perform other indoor activities or when it’s just not convenient for me to be outdoors barefoot. Visit our Resources page to access the link to The Earthing Movie that explains the science behind Earthing. Don't let the simplicity of the practice cause you to write if off. Give it a try. Happy Grounding! Happy Earthing! Sources
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About UsHi! We're Mario and Karen, the "sunshine couple". We love each other and actually like each other too. As health enthusiasts, we share our experiences as it relates to culture, health, and faith. We hope that you are encouraged in making positive lifestyle choices for a healthier body, mind, and spirit. Archives
March 2023
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