We’ve all heard someone say ‘I feel so ungrounded.’ Well, science is now showing that there could be a whole lot of truth to that statement and it could be affecting your health. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle whilst fantastic as making life convenient for us tends to keep us well insulated from our connection to the earth. We spend most of our day in insulated footwear with rubber soles that keep us separate from the earth. So, what is grounding and why should we care about connecting to the earth so much?
What is ‘Grounding’?
Grounding also known as ‘Earthing’ is essentially the practice of connecting the body with the earth. Meaning, direct skin contact with grass, sand, rivers, rock, snow or any conductive material.
The concept was initially developed by Clint Ober, a retired TV executive who began studying grounding in an effort to heal himself. Ober noticed that interference from the signal was eliminated when cables were “grounded” to the earth.
Why Grounding?
When we are disconnected from the earth, we carry a positive voltage relative to the earth (commonly called free-radicals). Free-radicals play an important role in the body by attacking and destroying unwanted things like viruses and bacteria. However, too many free-radicals cause low-grade inflammation which is believed to be the cause of chronic pain and disease.
Grounding balances this positive voltage back to zero by transferring negatively charged electrons from the earth into the body. It is believed having a zero voltage promotes health and vitality.
“In simple terms, what Earthing does, is literally it squelches the fires of inflammation, and if inflammation is the source of all root illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease, diabetes — I mean the list goes on and on — if you can impact inflammation and … stop it, we’re going to be healthier beings.” – Dr Sinatra
Whilst grounding may seem deceptively simple, countless people (including myself) are benefiting from this practice and the scientific literature (peer-reviewed studies) to support its claims is growing.
Benefits of Grounding
How to Ground?
Outdoors
Obviously the best and cheapest way to get stay grounded is walking barefoot outside on some grass, sand, a rock or go for a swim in the ocean or a beach walk, that salty ocean water is highly conductive plus you get the added benefit of fresh air (oxygen) and sunshine (Vitamin D).
Unfortunately, most of our shoes have rubber, plastic or synthetic soles which insulate us from the earth so, if you don’t want to go barefoot get a pair of leather sole shoes or grounded footwear.
Indoors
If it’s not possible to spend time outdoors, there are solutions at every electrical socket (plug into the ground).
An earthing mat is a convenient way to stay grounded all day by simply placing it under your arms or feet while you’re on the computer reducing the electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) you’re exposed to. Typically made from a conductive material such as carbon and retails for around $75
An earthing undersheet is a sure fire way to make a massive difference, guaranteed 6-8 hours grounding every night. Typically made from silver and prices range from $300 – $500
I bought my earthing mat and undersheet from HERE and cannot recommend them enough! My earthing mat and under sheet arrived before Christmas (which I wasn’t expecting), they were beautifully presented and are great quality products. Plus, the owner-operators Peter and Corrina are, lovely and genuinely care about you! The only drawback is that they don’t ship outside Australia.
Learn More
WATCH:Down to Earth ,The Grounded and Heal for Free
READ Clint Ober’s book: Earthing – The most important health discovery ever!
REVIEW peer-reviewed science published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health
CHECK OUT the opinion of these well-known medical doctors: Dr Sinatra, Dr Mercola, Dr Briffa, Dr Axe