Have you ever heard of “grounding” or “earthing” as a way to improve your health? Did you know there is a simple way to improve sleep, speed wound healing, reduce inflammation in the body, improve electrical activity in your brain, better distribute and absorb nutrients in your body and reduce pain, just by connecting with the energy of the earth?
As part of my journey to better health, I stumbled onto a documentary called “Earthing” about how grounding to the earth can improve your health. I was fascinated as I had never heard of Earthing or Grounding before.
The movie featured Clint Ober, a grounding pioneer and retired cable TV installer. It’s said that Clint discovered the concept of “earthing” or “grounding” in 1998. As a cable installer and telecommunications expert, he understood the necessity of grounding cable systems to protect them from other electromagnetic signals in the environment that would cause interference in the transmission. He wondered what benefits humans could receive from connecting with the earth and he embarked on his journey to find answers. One day, he noticed that everyone was wearing rubber soled shoes and how the material of the soles of our shoes prevent us from connecting with the vibrations and energies of the earth. In a nutshell, he discovered that the same stabilizing techniques of grounding used in electricity and telecommunications could also lessen pain and improve sleep for humans when connected to the earth.
So how do we connect with the Earth’s rhythms and energy? It’s so simple and doing so is absolutely free! there are several ways to connect, but the simplest way is by walking barefoot on the grass, sand, dirt and even concrete – all conductive surfaces. The Earth’s energy then flows through these conductive surfaces into the body.
So why the heck does that matter? Well…in addition to supporting the functions of our organs, it is also said that Earthing or Grounding has many benefits to the body such as reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, blood pressure, mood, and the immune system. It’s a real thing with a lot of science and medical literature behind it.
What? A little to “woo woo” for you? My advice…don’t knock it till you try it.
Several years ago, my Mother gifted me a grounding sheet after I told her about the documentary, and since sleeping on that sheet, I’ve never slept better in my entire life. Even my friends who have tried it can’t believe how deep they are able to sleep. It’s amazing, as you wake up feeling so rested and restored.
Experts in Grounding/Earthing also say that this kind of regular practice can help you be more present in the moment and tune your body’s energy with the natural rhythm of the earth and can also improve circulation which helps your body to better distribute nutrients throughout the body.
Some other ways to connect are by using grounding products, such as the sheet that my Mother gifted me. There are also mats, patches, bands and other products to help you connect. And when plugged into the ground port of a basic electrical outlet in your home, it connects you to the Earth’s energy via the ground of the outlet. Some of these items can be a little spendy, but they do the job (especially when you live in a snowy climate and can’t get outside in winter to make a direct connection with your feet on Mother Earth year round).
The best, most affordable and simplest way to connect with the earth is simply plant your bare feet on beautiful Mother Earth. This photo above was taken in Maui with some of my best friends in this world! Certainly Maui is the ultimate place to get connected with the earth (not to mention connecting with your heart and soul in many ways). But grounding doesn’t have to be done in Maui, it can be done at your local park, your back yard, or literally anywhere you can connect your bare feet or your body with Mother Earth!
I’ll never forget one afternoon last year, my dog and I were out hiking lakeside near our house. We decided to take a break after walking about 6 miles so we found access to the nearest beach. I watered my dog and myself and I took off my hiking shoes and socks and sat down on the sandy beach. I dug my feet into the sand and pulled out my journal to write about the hike while soaking in the sun with my feet planted on the sandy beach. I turned around to look at my dog who had been running in and out of the water playing with other dogs and I laughed as I found her behind me… tummy in the air, legs kicking, and her body rolling around on the sandy beach. She was in heaven! Talk about elevating my mood! A beautiful sunny day, an awesome hike, a cold drink of water, a little journaling, 30 minutes of grounding, the sound of the water crashing on the sandy beach and watching my dog enjoy the energy from the earth as much as I did. It brought a big smile to my face. Talk about improving my already good mood… I didn’t think it was possible as our hike in nature was already fantastic, but then grounding on the beach made it even better.
If you want to learn more or check out the documentary, just Google “Earthing Documentary” or “The Earthing Movie” to find it. You can also see the cliff notes version (a short video) on YouTube. It’s also on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and a few other apps (e.g., Gaia). It’s inexpensive to watch, super educational, and well worth your time.
Or, just kick your shoes off and give earthing a try. Connecting with nature and Mother Earth in this way is one of life’s little pleasures and if you do it consistently, you’ll start to notice in a very short time how earthing or grounding can bring great health benefits to you (and your dog)!
The journey to a healthier, happier you is so worth it. I know—because I lived it.
I stopped chasing skinny and started focusing on my health—and that single shift changed everything. I lost 140 pounds, but more importantly, I found clarity, energy, and a life that finally feels like mine.I share the whole story in my book. Click here to learn more and see what’s possible.
