Wholeness Healing Center

Bare Those Feet – Touch the Ground

Bare your feet and touch the ground, whether it is the dirt, grass or sand.  This natural (ancient) way to get “in touch” with the earth can be rejuvenating. It is part of the summer experience, the sunlight, the outdoors, the activity happening and the vacation moments that we all anticipate. Apparently, our craving for those “touching the ground” moments is much more than the psychological feeling of freedom and fun.  It feels good because it is so good for the body.  Touching the earth naturally grounds our body, removing excess positive electrons in the same way that we ground basic electrical outlets to avoid the buildup of excess positive charges.

Grounding, also called earthing, is the practice of connecting your body to the earth’s surface energy by walking, sitting or sleeping outside in direct contact with the Earth. Barefoot contact gifts your body with an adequate supply of electrons.  When connecting to the earth’s surface, these electrons, negative ions, surge into the body cleaning out the positive ions and discharging the many unpaired positive ions, or free radicals that we pick up in our daily life.  (Snyder, 2014)  All of this allows the immune system to operate more optimally. These electrons protect the body from inflammation and all the consequences that inflammation in the body brings up. It has been hypothesized that chronic inflammation is the culprit behind almost every modern chronic illness.  Inflammation is one of the primary factors contributing to premature aging and chronic disease. (Mercola, 2012)

All the technology we surround ourselves with brings us into daily contact with pollutants and technology (EMFs), which builds up free radicals. Think about the electromagnetic waves we live in radiated by mobile phone signals, Wi-Fi, automatic doors, microwaves and TV’s.  Earthing balances out the electrons from our system, minimizing the consequences of exposure to these potentially disruptive fields of “electromagnetic pollution” or “dirty electricity”. This balances the body out to the same electrical potential as the earth. Grounding and bringing in a supply of earth electrons brings improved balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous systems.

One study found that grounding can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.  This earth contact also showed that grounding naturally thins the blood and reduces inflammation with the possibility of better blood pressure and blood flow.  Another study showed that grounding could improve heart rate variability which leads to cardiovascular benefits but also reduced stress and decreased anxiety and depression.  (Snyder, 2014)

According to research, Earthing can be beneficial in the following:

• Reducing inflammation
• Reducing chronic pain
• Improving sleep
• Improving blood pressure and blood flow
• Relieving  muscle tension and headaches
• Lessening menstrual and female hormone symptoms
• Speeding healing
• Eliminating jet lag
• Protecting the body from EMF’s
• Shortening recovery time from injury or athletic activity
• Reducing or eliminating snoring
• Helping to support adrenal health (Mercola, 2012)

This information may be a good reminder to implement some of the past ways of living. In fact, the Native American moccasin is the preferred footwear in their culture as it has such a small separation (thin skin) from the Earth, so the connection happens continually. All of this reminds us, once again, to encourage our children to go out and play, and that “we” should also go out and play, be outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and touching the earth. Through this frequent practice, we can make it natural to connect with the earth through grounding. So throw your shoes off, bare those feet and sink into the grass for your daily dose of health prevention.   

Works Cited

Mercola, D. (2012, November 4). The ultimate antioxidant: fight premature aging for free. Retrieved from Mercola.com: www.mercola.com

Snyder, K. (2014, January 16). The invisible benefits of grounding. Retrieved from kimberlysnyder.com/blog: www.kimberlysnyder.com