It is easy to get overwhelmed in today’s world. We are constantly exposed to different stresses and energies throughout the day, whether it be at work, with family or watching the news and using social media.
Experiencing a constant chaotic mish-mash of energies can throw you out of balance and skyrocket your stress and anxiety. It is important to focus on grounding to rebalance yourself and find peace through the serenity of nature.
What is Grounding?
Grounding (also called earthing) is a practice that entails connecting one’s bare skin with the surface of the earth. The earth absorbs negative energy and instills you with a calming, grounding force. This therapeutic practice has many benefits for one’s mental and physical health.
Grounding: A Scientific Perspective
The practice of grounding is founded on scientific research. The cells that make up human bodies communicate through an electrical current. The connections run throughout the human body and dictate certain natural responses.
The earth also has electrical currents running through it as well. When bare skin touches the earth, these connections are exchanged via electrons. A person absorbs certain electrical changes from the earth and vice versa.
The electrical currents given to us from the earth have many positive benefits. These currents are high-vibrational energetic frequencies that help to raise our own vibrations.
Why Is Grounding Important?
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle that reflects your values is important to your health and happiness. Also, the need for spending time in nature is grounded in human DNA. We are not meant to spend all our lives in cement cities. Nature is one of the earth’s greatest healers.
The scientific community has conducted quite a bit of research to provide evidence for the many healing benefits of grounding, including the following:
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Improves the immune system
- Improves sleep quality
- Improves blood pressure and heart health
- Improves mood
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Promotes physical healing
- Regulates hormones
- Aids digestion
- Improves respiratory health
How to Ground Yourself
Grounding is not a difficult exercise. You can do it all by yourself without any additional equipment. The most important thing is that you find a place outside where you feel comfortable and relaxed. You should be present in the moment rather than focusing on plans or what has happened in the past.
Here are some of the best methods to practice grounding:
Walk Barefoot Outside
As kids, it was normal to race barefoot across the cool grass under the warmth of the shining sun. We have always been practicing grounding, whether we knew it or not. Simply connecting bare feet against the solid ground of the earth allows for instant electron exchange.
You don’t have to do anything except remove your shoes and go for a walk. Take care not to step on anything that can harm you, but stay on dirt paths, grass, rocks, tar, or even sand at the beach. Whatever landscape you reside in works.
Take your time as you walk to consciously acknowledge how the earth feels against the soles of your feet. Perhaps it is cold or warm, rough or soft, wet or dry. Enjoy the sensation and don’t fret about getting your feet dirty- you can shower after.
Go For a Swim
Water is an extremely healing and mood-lifting substance. Submerging oneself in water does the same thing that touching solid earth does. It’s the reason why it feels so good to take a shower or go for a swim.
It doesn’t matter which body of water you choose, although rivers, lakes, oceans, and ponds are better than man-made pools. Take a moment to submerge yourself completely. Hold your breath and enjoy the feeling of water completely surrounding you.
Lay on the Ground
Simply wandering outside and laying on the ground is an easy way to practice grounding. Find a nice plot of land where you can comfortably lay, such as on grass or at the beach. Stare up at the starts or clouds and enjoy the feeling of being one with the earth.
Practice Grounding Meditation
While you go for a walk outside or lay on the ground, you can simultaneously practice grounding meditation. One of my favorite methods is to envision the bottom of your back and legs being like roots descending deep into the earth’s soil.
It is almost as if you are a tree yourself. This does wonders for allowing you to absorb greater amounts of energy from the earth and find a greater sense of balance.
Gardening
Gardening is an amazing way to get in contact with the earth while doing something productive and practicing the act of creation. This puts you in greater harmony with nature and allows you to create something beautiful.
Also, the physical exertion of gardening works in tandem to provide an array of health benefits. As you dig through soil and plant new life, you are creating a deeper connection to the earth.
Go For a Solo Hike
Grounding is partially about connecting with nature and partially about the peace that comes from solitude. It is important to spend time alone so that you can banish all the distractions of life and connect with your deeper self.
Solitude allows you the space you need to ask yourself deeper questions about who you are and what you want in your life.
Spend Time With Animals
Spending time with animals in nature opens you up to both the energies of the animals and the earth. Watch creatures in nature such as birds and squirrels and even insects going about their lives. Think about what their experience is like. Take your pets outside with you to enjoy the benefits of nature- grounding works for them, too! They will love it just as much as you.
Perform Breath Work
Outside is one of the best places to perform breath work. Deep breathing exercises help to amplify your mindfulness while reducing your stress and anxiety, while giving you the wonderful smells of nature. The benefits last long after you are done.
Journaling
Take a journal with you when you spend time outside. The peaceful quiet of nature is an amazing place for some deep introspection.
[…] The past few weeks have been difficult for me as I’ve felt my personal autonomy attacked and women’s hard-fought rights stripped from us. This time calls for us to feel and express our anger and call for women’s empowerment… and also to take care of ourselves, retreating inward when necessary. (i.e. grounding) […]