Shockingly Simple: The Power of Earthing!
Have you ever wondered if we’re truly connected to the Earth, and whether being out in nature actually benefits us? We often hear how good it is to spend time outside, soaking up the sun and getting our Vitamin D. But is there more to it than that?
Not long ago, I came across a documentary called Down to Earth. Curious, I hit play, and what I discovered was truly groundbreaking (pun intended!). It opened my eyes to just how deep our connection to the Earth really is.
Some of you might be thinking, “Of course we’re connected to the Earth, everyone knows that!” But here’s the real question: Do you know all the powerful benefits that come from actually grounding your body?
Keep reading, you might be surprised by what you learn.
WHAT IS EARTHING (GROUNDING)?
Grounding is the simple act of physically connecting your body to the Earth. This can be as easy as walking barefoot in your backyard, strolling along the beach, or lying in the grass and watching the stars. Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is.
If going outside isn’t always an option, you can still ground indoors using tools like grounding sheets or grounding mats. These devices connect to the grounded port of a wall outlet, allowing you to experience the benefits of grounding right from your home or office.
Before using one, it’s important to ensure that the building is properly grounded. Most grounding kits include a small outlet tester that plugs into a socket and lets you know whether the grounding connection is safe and functional.
So, if stepping outside isn’t practical, don’t worry, you can still ground yourself indoors. It's recommended to practice grounding for at least 40 minutes a day. Start slowly, listen to your body, and pay attention to how you feel as you build this simple yet powerful habit into your daily routine.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The science behind this concept is described in detail in the documentary. For those of you that love your science, they explain it like this:
Basically, we live inside a “battery”, meaning the earth
The surface of the earth is negatively charged
The sun sends out electrons that charge the ionosphere
This then becomes charged during lightning storms
Our bodies naturally produce molecules called free radicals. If we’re not grounded, these free radicals can accumulate and spill into surrounding tissues, leading to oxidative stress throughout the body.
So, what exactly is a free radical?
Let’s break it down: When inflammation occurs, the body sends neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) to the affected area as a first line of defense. Their job is to fight off pathogens, bacteria, and clean up damaged or dead cells. To do this, neutrophils release free radicals at the site of injury.
Once the cleanup is done, they also release substances known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Some of these ROS can escape into surrounding tissues. If the body doesn’t have enough free electrons to neutralize them, these free radicals start to accumulate.
Here’s the issue: free radicals are unstable because they’re missing an electron. To stabilize themselves, they steal electrons from nearby healthy cells, damaging those cells in the process. This damage signals the body to send more neutrophils, which release even more ROS, creating a vicious cycle of oxidative stress.
Grounding ourselves helps slow down this chain reaction. By drawing electrons from the earth, grounding neutralizes free radicals, preventing them from stealing from our healthy cells. This process helps reduce oxidative stress on the body. As stated in the documentary: “We need grounding like we need the air and sunshine.”
WHO DOES THIS MATTER TO?
It matters to all of us! In today’s world, most of us are constantly connected to devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, video games, and more. The electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by these devices can disrupt the natural balance of our bodies.
To make matters worse, many of us also face poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Together, these factors fuel a silent storm of inflammation within, setting the stage for chaos and chronic illness. Over time, this can manifest as sore joints, digestive problems, cardiovascular concerns, autoimmune conditions, and more.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND WHAT’S NEXT?
There are many benefits to grounding, and the research is covered in this documentary. Here are a few:
Reduces inflammation
Quiets the central nervous system by putting it into a parasympathetic state which is our rest and digest state
Can lower blood pressure by allowing the heart to pump blood more efficiently
There are other steps to take to help lower oxidative stress in the body. They are:
Get plenty of antioxidants through your nutrition as they also donate an electron to a free radical
Manage stress, all kinds of stress, by practicing mindfulness
Exercise
