Earthing: The Benefits of Grounding Your Body in Nature
After years of working at a corporate job in New York City, I started to feel really disconnected. With a demanding, deadline-oriented career, I felt like I was always glued to an electronic device, responding to immediate email requests, stressed and permanently “on call”.
Being surrounded by skyscrapers and buildings, busy streets and rushing traffic, I started to feel trapped and ached for the freedom of the outdoors, and a simpler way of life. I was overwhelmed, overstimulated and burnt out.
Have you ever felt this way?
This feeling became unbearable, until I slowly started transitioning towards the way of life I truly desired. One of my first steps was responding to the call of nature. I started visiting parks and gardens, hiking in the Ramapo Mountains and immersing myself in green, open spaces.
This act of slowing down allowed me the time and space I needed to be more mindful and present to life and its simple pleasures. Being in natural environments rekindled my love of the outdoors, my passion for fresh air, tall trees, budding plants and flowers.
Before I knew it, I was kicking off my shoes again, walking barefoot in the grass, laying back and imagining shapes in the clouds. I was like a child again.
I later learned that what my body was aching to do, intuitively, was actually an ancient practice that our ancestors have been doing in nature for generations to improve their health and rejuvenate their spirit.
What is Earthing?
Earthing, also known as grounding, is the act of connecting your body to the Earth's natural electric field.
Basically, the Earth is like a gigantic battery that contains a natural, subtle electrical charge, and when we make direct contact with it, electrons flow into our body. This exchange of electrons is said to help neutralize free radicals in our system, which are responsible for various ailments and degenerative diseases.
Earthing can be achieved by walking barefoot on natural grounds like grass, sand, or dirt, or by using grounding equipment such as sheets, mats, or bands that are specifically designed to simulate this connection. This simple act can have profound effects on our health and well-being.
It was so intriguing to discover that there was a scientific reason for me desperately wanting to be outside. My body was aching to be healed and recharged, and it intuitively knew to return to the earth.
I learned more about Earthing by studying the work of Clint Ober, founder of Earthing and thirty-year veteran of the cable television industry. Clint Ober pioneered cable modem and satellite distribution of digital services via cable to personal computers. In 1998, he began investigating the effects of electrically grounding the human body to earth. He has promoted and supported 20 research studies that collectively demonstrate how maintaining the body at earth’s electrical potential reduces inflammation and promotes normal functioning of the body’s electrical systems.
The documentary, The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding, reveals the scientific phenomenon of how we can heal our bodies by simply standing barefoot on the earth. It is a fascinating watch!
Benefits of Earthing
Over the years, several studies have explored the potential benefits of Earthing. While more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions, preliminary results and countless testimonials have reported the following benefits:
Better Sleep: Many people who practice grounding report experiencing better sleep. It is believed that the calming and balancing effects of the Earth's electrons can improve sleep quality and duration.
Reduced Stress: Connecting with the Earth can have a calming effect on our nervous system. Results of a study showed the diurnal rhythm of the stress hormone, cortisol, began to normalize.
Decreased Pain: Some individuals have reported decreased pain levels after incorporating Earthing into their daily routines. This is especially noted in conditions associated with inflammation.
Faster Healing: Earthing may decrease inflammation and promote blood flow, accelerating the healing process.
How to Incorporate Earthing into Your Routine
Incorporating Earthing into your daily life is simple and can be done in various ways:
Walk Barefoot: Whenever you get the chance, walk barefoot on natural surfaces. Whether it's your backyard, a park, or the beach, this simple act can help you connect with the Earth.
Earthing Equipment: If you live in an urban area or have limited access to natural grounds, consider investing in grounding equipment like mats, sheets, or bands. These devices can provide the benefits of grounding even when you're indoors.
Grounding Meditations: Take a few minutes to do a mindful grounding meditation. Use the power of your mind to feel the connection between your body and the Earth, and visualize the transfer of energy.
When starting out with meditation, I have found it to be MUCH easier to listen to a guided meditation audio. This way, I could just pop in my headphones, sit back and relax. There was no “wondering if I was doing it right” or wrestling with the silence.
This is why I created a FREE audio guided meditation just for you, that you can listen to anytime, anywhere. Just enter your name and email below, and I’ll send this powerful grounding meditation audio directly to your inbox!
The Earth Collection: Bringing the Outdoors In, with Nature Inspired Art
Pictured: Whispers of the Forest from The Earth Collection
We can’t always get into nature to ground ourselves, but we can replicate that tranquil energy inside our homes by incorporating natural elements.
Decorating with earthy colors, plants, natural textures, and nature-inspired artwork can help bring the soothing energy of nature indoors. Choosing paintings and prints that depict aspects of nature will not only add visual interest, but also serve as a constant reminder of our connection to Earth’s grounding energy.
The power of the Earth’s grounding energy was the inspiration for The Earth Collection, a series of original paintings by abstract artist Christina Contaldi. Each composition intricately weaves a journey into nature’s embrace, celebrating the soil, its life-giving organisms, and the oxygen it provides. The artwork evokes a primal connection to Earth’s rhythms, acting as conduits for viewers to tap into their own grounding energy.
By surrounding ourselves with the Earth element indoors, we cultivate a sense of stability, nourishment, and connection to the natural world—a much-needed sanctuary in our fast-paced lives.
View this collection online: The Earth Collection
Whispers of the Forest
40 x 30”, mixed media on canvas.
Original painting, hand signed. Maple frame included.
Whispers of the Forest is an invitation to lose oneself in the timeless embrace of nature, and to listen to the stories it yearns to share. The subtle blend of muted greens reflects the intimacy of hushed secrets shared between ancient trees. The brushstrokes dance across the canvas, much like the way dappled sunlight filters through the dense canopy, creating an atmospheric depth that draws the viewer into the very heart of the forest. There, one might hear the soft rustling of the leaves, the distant call of a bird, or the faint hum of life that pulses through every root and branch.
Purchase this original painting online: Whispers of the Forest
View the full collection: The Earth Collection
