The Benefits of Grounding
Ever wonder why it feels so good to walk barefoot in the grass? Have you ever noticed yourself feeling lighter, happier and more relaxed after spending some time barefoot on the ground or in the sand? It's not just the fresh air, sun exposure or break from technology (although that all helps too!). It's due to an effect called "grounding" or "earthing". It's simple, free and perhaps one of the most beneficial things we can do for our overall health. Sound woo-woo? Maybe, but it's also an extensively researched treatment and one that comes with incredible benefits such as:
Better sleep, especially deep sleep
Reduced inflammation, the root cause of many chronic illnesses and chronic pain
Improvement in mood and energy
Improvement in wound healing, athletic performance and recovery
Helps reset circadian rhythm and is one of the most effective things you can do to overcome jetlag
When you spend at least 20 minutes outside barefoot, or when you use a product like a grounding mat, the electrons from the earth are absorbed through your feet. What this does is support all your organ systems and cellular function by using the earth's electrical charge and free electrons to maintain the body's internal electrical stability. Most of us are overly positively charged, and we need "gounding" to balance that out. When we are grounded we have reduced inflammation and the body's self-regulating and self-healing systems are all functioning normally.
Why have many people never heard of this before? Well being barefoot outside or as some ancestors called it "one with the earth" was a natural part of daily life, and not something that we had to make an effort to do. With the advent of plastics and rubber soled shoes, and people spending more and more time inside, over time people became less and less grounded, and at the same time, more and more sick. These days our daily life hardly provides any opportunity to become grounded. So what should you do? Walk outside in your backyard if you have one, or a park, stand or sit barefoot for at least 20 minutes if you can. It even works on concrete. Notice how you feel. If you can't do that, consider buying a product like a grounding mat to put under your desk at work, or a grounding pad for your bed.
If you'd like to learn more about grounding, check out Clint Ober's work at www.ultimatelongevity.com. There's a great 15 minute video on his website. Or check out his book "Earthing:The Most Important Health Discovery Ever". He was also on the Ben Greenfield Fitness podcast recently which you can listen to here. Download it and enjoy listening to it barefoot in your backyard or in a park!