Earthing, also known as grounding, is an ancient lifestyle practice that re-emerges into the limelight because of its promising health implications. The concept is for the human body to reconnect with the earth and absorb its free electrons to heal illnesses. But what is the science behind grounding, and what does it do?
What Is Grounding?
Grounding is similar to what it means in an electrical installation system: wire the appliance to the ground. In this case, it’s the body that is grounded simply by direct contact with the earth.
Touching the ground with bare feet or bare skin reconnects the body with the natural energy present in the ground. It then reduces the ionizing activities in the body to prevent eventual cell damage.
Grounding counteracts the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation that humans live with. Electromagnetic radiation, or EMF (link to The Natural Solution to EMF Radiation: Understanding Earthing), is the invisible area of energy from various sources, such as the sun and electricity. EMF interferes with our natural frequency and increases our risks of illnesses.
History of Grounding
Using the earth as an electrical conductor dates back to the ancient civilizations of the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. However, evidence for these grounding techniques is scant since physical contact with the ground is their ordinary life.
It was in traditional Chinese medicine that earthing was recognized. TCM regards energy or natural forces that are all abounding in the earth. Accordingly, the earth’s energy can balance the body’s energy for health and wellness benefits. They call it “earthing qi” or “grounding qi.”
Fast forward to the present, Clint Ober, a cable TV pioneer, brought grounding into light in the late 1900s. He found that the clear images from cable TV are the result of the shielding of the conductor to prevent signal disturbances. The conductor is grounded to the earth, which absorbs the electrons and prevents the build-up of electrical charges.
Ober theorized that the earth’s connection is also substantial for the body’s physiology. He funded research, which became the foundation of other bodies of research relating to earthing.
What Is the Science Behind Grounding?
The human body is a bioelectrical being living on a bioelectrical planet. It means that the body is tuned to the natural frequencies and magnetic fields that the earth emits.
The earth releases negatively charged ions that are created by the air, water, and sun’s natural electromagnetic fields. Likewise, our body is in a negatively ionized state because of the chemical processes taking place from its normal function.
The science behind grounding infers that our body functions better if we are one with the frequencies of the earth.
The problem with modern society is that we are also exposed to low-frequency man-made radiation. These come from our office and home appliances, mobile phones, gadgets, etc.
Also, we now spend most of our time indoors because of our work and lifestyle. These things disrupt our inner balance and eventually become a health hazard.
The only way we can be attuned to the earth is to go outdoors and reconnect. Researchers suggest spending time walking barefoot or sleeping on the ground for at least 20 minutes daily.
Benefits of Grounding
When grounded, our body becomes in sync with the earth’s pulsation and helps it regain its balance. We become more stable, and it rebounds to our health benefits and wellness.
Many emerging research proves the following advantages of grounding:
Reduce Pain and Inflammation
The unnatural forms of radiation that course through our body stimulate hypersensitivity or an allergic response and inflammation. Earthing provides the body with negatively charged electrons, which neutralize the free radicals from radiation. It helps reduce chronic pain and chronic inflammation and prevent further damage.
Reduce Stress
Stress is undeniably a major problem that we encounter from various sources. It came from the increase in cortisol production or the stress hormone. Cortisol is not all bad because it is what improves our immunity and our fight-or-flight responses. The bad news is high levels of it and its long-term activation can lead to problems like anxiety and depression.
Grounding prevents oxidative stress by lowering cortisol to an acceptable level. Thus, it lowers stress and boosts the immune responses to help the body bounce back from environmental stressors.
Improve Sleep Quality
With reduced cortisol levels, sleep time can become more relaxing and therapeutic. Grounding therapy reduces the sleep disturbance and may help improve the mood. It eventually helps treat sleep disorders. As the ions work to rewire brain functions, grounding is also seen to help with other cognitive and mental health issues.
Your Brief Guide to Grounding
Grounding is allowing the body to contact the conductive surface of the earth. It starts with removing insulating materials like synthetic-soled shoes for the feet to come in contact with the ground. Doing this for at least 20 minutes every day can make a significant difference in one’s life.
Sleeping on the ground or swimming in lakes and beaches also helps the body absorb the negative electrons. But to reiterate the modern problems, not everyone is capable of spending time outdoors. It can be due to time and work constraints, mobility issues, or weather disturbances.
To cater to these life’s little encumbrances, there are products made to mimic the energy that the earth releases.
Grounding products are conductive materials like silver or carbon wired underneath a fabric material. They come with cords that plug into the ground port of any electrical system. Users can then lean their bare skin on them to absorb the emitted energy.
Grounding products come in different forms to suit various preferences, such as:
- Grounding mats
- Grounding sheets
- Blankets
- Pillowcases
- Socks
- Yoga mats
There are also crib sheets and pet mats available.
Is Grounding Effective?
There is an increasing number of ground therapy participants who attest to the effectiveness of grounding. Several studies are also on the way to either prove or refute health claims.
What science has for now are a few pieces of evidence of its effectiveness in improving sleep, reducing stress and alleviating inflammation. Grounding is found to be effective in managing blood pressure levels, which is also a cornerstone for preventing cardiovascular problems.
Earthing is basically free and doesn’t pose any risks. If you belong to a group who cannot do it on a daily basis, there are also safe products you can try.
Check out Hooga grounding products for effective and quality earthing materials in various selections. You can try the full-body grounding mat, grounding mat, earthing sheet, or whatever is convenient for you. You can also check customer reviews to attest to earthing effectiveness.