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Is Grounding Good for You?

by | Dec 31, 2022 | Issue 162, Issues | 0 comments

If you've ever walked outside barefoot, you may have felt a connection to the earth and nature around you. That feeling was not imaginary. By aligning or connecting your...

If you’ve ever walked outside barefoot, you may have felt a connection to the earth and nature around you. That feeling was not imaginary. By aligning or connecting your natural electrical energy with the earth’s in a process called grounding, you can revitalize your mind and body!

 

What Is Grounding? 

Grounding, also called earthing, is the name given to a category of techniques designed to ground or electrically connect you to the earth. You can think about a lightning rod, which absorbs the electrical charge of the surrounding air and channels it into the earth. Grounding is similar but works in the opposite direction. During grounding, you absorb the energy from the surrounding earth, not divert charge into it. This process can help you feel more connected to the world, with many health benefits. 

Most often, grounding is done by physically connecting you to the earth. However, you don’t have to touch the earth to become grounded. You can also electrically connect yourself to the earth through indirect methods such as submerging yourself in water or using equipment designed to enhance your exposure to the earth’s electrical fields. 

 

What Are the Different Types of Grounding? 

Any skin-to-earth contact can directly connect you to the earth’s electricity. Whether running through a field on a warm summer day or simply lying in the grass and soaking up the sun, physical contact with the earth through your skin can help ground and reconnect you to the earth around you.  

Similar logic applies to water, which can convey the electrical patterns of the earth into your body. To become grounded through water, all you need to do is submerge part of yourself into water. You can swim or wade into the water if you feel comfortable doing so. So long as part of yourself is submerged in water, you can experience the positive effects of grounding. 

If neither is a good option for you, certain equipment can cause a similar grounding effect. You can purchase grounding mats, socks, blankets or patches to increase your conductivity to the earth. You can also make your own grounding equipment by placing a metal rod into the ground outside and then connecting your body to the rod by holding a wire. 

 

Is Grounding Scientifically Proven? 

Grounding has been supported by multiple studies which show the worth of its health benefits. Current research affirms that grounding techniques affect the electrical conductivity in your immune system, helping your body stay healthier. 

Several studies on individuals performing grounding techniques at rest and after exercise showed that grounding reduced muscle damage, pain, blood cell clumping, stress, depression and fatigue. Study participants who used grounding techniques were shown to improve their body’s natural healing and cardiovascular and mental health. 

 

The Health Benefits of Grounding

Grounding has a lot of health benefits related to supporting your body’s response to pain and stress. It can successfully reduce inflammation and stress while improving heart health and wound healing. However, these are just some of the big-picture health benefits.

 

Anxiety

According to a National Library of Medicine study, grounding or earthing can help improve anxiety, depression and irritability. 

The key to reducing anxiety through grounding is to focus your mind using what therapists call the 5-4-3-2-1 game. Name five things you can see in the room, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two you can smell and one you can taste. By following these steps, you can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress by grounding yourself in the surrounding environment. 

 

Sleeping Disorders

Grounding has also helped people struggling with sleeping. A study of people struggling to sleep showed that grounding the body can improve their sleep. It also showed that grounding helped normalize the stress patterns obstructing their sleep in the first place. 

 

Pain and Immune Response

The National Library of Medicine study also showed that grounding could benefit people struggling with pain and delayed immune response to injury-related muscle soreness. People suffering from this condition typically experience pain and stiffness for hours or days after strenuous exercise. Researchers found that the grounding techniques drew more mobile electrons from the earth’s surface into the patients’ bodies, altering the body’s inflammatory response. This response caused the patients to experience less swelling, pain and inflammation. 

 

How To Start Grounding 

Grounding is easy to start. You don’t need specialized equipment or scheduled therapy sessions, although they can help you see even better results. Instead, go outside with your shoes off! Spend 20 minutes outside to ground yourself directly with the earth or in water. If you decide that grounding is working for you and you’d like to invest in some equipment, consider purchasing patches or a conductive sheet for your bed to help ground you in your sleep. 

If you build grounding into your life, you’ll notice the health benefits as your body and mind are revitalized and energized through a stronger connection with your surroundings!

Luke Argue

Luke Argue

Luke Argue is a junior in the government department at Patrick Henry College. Aside from writing, Luke enjoys playing volleyball, reading about foreign affairs, and studying world cultures and religions.

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