When was the last time you walked barefoot across the grass? How about on the sand? Ever laid down in the grass to look at the sky with no time limit, no agenda? When was the last time you played in the dirt? Maybe you should!
Spring is when many folks get out into the garden or yard for the first time all year! There is research that connects the practice of grounding (or earthing) to improved physical and mental health.
Earthing techniques focus on reconnecting your energy with the earth through direct or indirect contact. Some research has shown participation in earthing techniques resulted in reduced pain, stress, and inflammation and an improvement of overall mental well-being. Earthing techniques include:
Walking outside barefoot
Laying on the ground
Going swimming or taking a bath
Gardening
Doing yoga asana (the physical practice) can help you feel connected/grounded. Standing yoga poses can help strengthen your legs and feet (helping you feel more comfortable for short barefoot walks). See this practice for the feet HERE.
Take a little break and connect to the earth! Notice how it makes you feel.
Resources:
1. Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Sinatra D. Electric nutrition: the surprising health and healing benefits of biological grounding (Earthing). Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(5):8-16.
2. Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ. The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190.
3. Kuhne L. The New Science of Healing. Mokelumne Hill Pr; 1993.
4. Just A [from old catalog, Lust B. Return to Nature! The True Natural Method of Healing and Living and the True Salvation of the Soul. New York, B. Lust; 1903.
5. Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the earth’s surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012;2012:1-8.
6. Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. The effects of grounding (Earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res. 2015;8:83-96.
7. Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM. Earthing (Grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity—a major factor in cardiovascular disease. J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(2):102-110.