It is said that keeping yourself grounded is a modest act. Doing it literally – feet on the ground – is found to be profound and self-balancing. It is also said that the practice harbors a lot of health benefits. We are here to get to the bottom of the science of grounding.
Grounding in a Nutshell
Grounding, or earthing, is the simple practice of connecting your body to the ground, like sleeping on it or walking barefoot. Its principles suggest that the earth’s healing energy can bring about many health benefits as it comes into contact with bare skin.
Grounding was long practiced centuries ago, but it wasn’t until the past decade that it gained serious focus. Researchers are taking part to prove and refute the science of grounding debunked by skeptics.
Some studies suggest integrating grounding into lifestyle management may help the human race greatly in their quest for overall wellness.
Myths Debunked for Skeptics
When the fad of grounding broke the internet, skeptics also rushed to its scrutiny. The claims point to its lack of sufficient evidence and questions on the research and its proponents.
Such myths that skeptics claim about grounding are:
Myth 1: Walking Barefoot Can Stress the Feet
Skeptics suggest that walking barefoot can cause a lot of stress on the feet. It can lead to tendonitis, shin splints, and fasciitis or allow the formation of bunions.
However, the practice of grounding doesn’t necessarily mean ditching footwear totally. You just need to connect to the ground for 15 to 20 minutes a day.
Myth 2: The Lack of Studies
Grounding has anecdotal evidence in its support. However, this was before the growing research and journals in support of the practice were published. The scientific community is coming to a common ground to prove the benefits that grounding can bring.
Myth 3: Grounding Is Uncomfortable
One of the drawbacks of grounding is the discomfort it can cause, especially for people with mobility issues. Going to sleep on the cold and hard ground can be difficult and may not offer good sleep at all.
But with earthing, you don’t necessarily need to spend the night on the ground. It only suggests taking time to be outside and, at the least, go barefoot for a few minutes.
Besides, sleeping outside is a personal choice, depending on your capacity to do so. There are also products like grounding mats and earthing sheets to make you feel more comfortable.
Myth 4: It Does Not Have Actual Benefits
For now, the available research suggests that grounding does affect human health positively. It relates the earthing technique to the idea that enjoying the outdoors and breathing in fresh air improves health.
It may seem confusing and doubtful to some, so it’s okay to take grounding with a grain of salt. It has virtually no risk, so why not try and see for yourself?
Myth 5: You Need Special Equipment for Grounding to Work
Grounding rarely requires equipment unless you are too busy and want to do it in the comfort of your home or workplace. The beauty of grounding relies more on connecting with nature. So, you only need yourself and Mother Earth for it to work.
Simply walk barefoot on the sand or the grass. Even concrete or paved stones work well for grounding.
And if you want to immerse yourself in water, feel free to do so. Submerging yourself in water and swimming are also forms of practicing grounding without any special equipment.
Myth 6: Grounding Does Not Apply to Emotional and Mental Conditions
The conductive contact of the body to the earth may also improve stress and anxiety. It is not only about the lowering of the cortisol level but also due to the improved circulation.
Accordingly, the free electrons that are absorbed by the body normalize the free radicals to reduce stress vulnerability.
With this benefit, grounding helps improve your mental state as far as stress, anxiety, and depression are concerned.
It also brings the body back to a state of homeostasis. This means giving balance to a person’s physiological processes, including both emotional and mental states.
Myth 7: Grounding Is Time-Consuming
People nowadays are so busy with their lives that they barely have enough time for their own health. That is one of the reasons people think that grounding isn’t for them.
However, the process of earthing and grounding isn’t actually as time-consuming as most people surmise.
A good 15 to 20 minutes of the day is already enough for grounding to channel the electrical pathway while the body absorbs the electrical charges from the earth itself.
And if you still say that you can’t spare 15 to 20 minutes to physically connect with the earth outdoors, you have another option. Do grounding indoors!
Myth 8: Grounding Requires a Person to Stay Outdoor
Outdoor grounding is an option for those who have enough time to hang around outside. But for indoor busy bees, this may not be a possibility at all.
Fret not! There are grounding products you can enjoy using while staying indoors. These products are designed to mimic outdoor energy. These types of equipment connect to the ground port of an electrical outlet, allowing the negative electrical charge to flow to the surface. You can set the mat on the floor and rest your feet on it to experience the benefit of grounding while indoors.
You can check out Hooga grounding products for a grounding mat, grounding blanket, grounding socks, earthing sheet and many others. Despite your busy life, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the whole lot of health benefits that grounding can do.
What Does the Science Say?
Presently, grounding is still under several ongoing scientific studies to explore its benefits on human health. Review studies are focused on the connection of the earth in alleviating cardiovascular and mental issues.
Some of these published studies indeed proved the usefulness of electromagnetic activity in boosting the immune defense.
Grounding the body with the earth can decrease cortisol levels to an acceptable level. Cortisol is the stress hormone that increases the heart rate and blood pressure level. When the body comes in direct contact with the earth, the nighttime level of cortisol decreases. This is what helps an individual sleep and relax through the night.
Grounding, according to clinical research, also results in significant changes in the red blood cells. This is suggestive of its efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.
Ways to Connect With the Earth
The practice of grounding is an easy task, and you can reconnect anywhere. It can be on the grass, concrete, sand, or soil. Wood and vinyl are not practical since these materials are non-conductive.
Grounding only requires a little bit of your time and the benefit of good weather. You can do earthing in different ways, such as:
- Walking or sitting barefoot outside
- Swimming on a lake
- Sleeping on a grounding mat
- Laying in the grass
- Gardening
- Use of the grounding mat, sheet, socks or band when indoors
Takeaway
The mounting evidence on the effectiveness of grounding proves that the scientific consensus cannot be invalidated. Whether complementary medicine fully embraces it or not, the choice for our health and wellness is still in our hands. There is virtually no risk involved in grounding. But if its benefits work for you, the better the days will be ahead of you.