Living Afield
Grounding / Earthing
As mankind walked upon the earth we evolved to make use of all the earth provided. From food and water to shelter, the earth has always provided for our needs. As we left the trees, we found shellfish who's fats allowed our brains to increse in size. The subsequent increased cognitive ability allowed us to develop complex societies. We bettered our lives in just about every way. However, as we found more and more ways to alter our environment to suit our needs, we have paradoxically become increasingly detached from the very earth that provided for our expansion.
This detachment has led to a multitude of physical and emotional problems. From debilitating anxiety to autoimmune related disorders, our population is plagued with troubles which were virtually unheard of a few generations ago.
Our limbic system is responsible for generating the fight, flight, or freeze response. When we noticed a tiger hiding in the bushes, the limbic system floods our body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenalin. These hormones gave us the speed, agility, and energy, necessary to say, climb a tree. After the tiger went on its way, the stress hormones faded from our system, and we resumed our day. While we do not often have to face lions, tigers, or bears, we do have stressors like rush hour traffic, an asshole coworker, a demanding boss, arguments with our significant other, paying bills, etc. Unlike the tiger, these stressors do not leave us. We must deal with them all day, everyday. We rarely get a break. This keeps our adrenals pegged, and results in increased anxiety. This prevents us from getting recuperative sleep, and further degrades our health.
All hope is not lost. Studies have shown that by literally getting back in touch with the earth we can immediately lower our cortisol levels, and reverse many of our ills. The practice of grounding or earthing, having our skin touching the ground, can have a profound effect on both our physical and emotional health. Multi-disciplinary research has shown that sitting or walking barefoot outdoors for a minimum of 3o minutes each day significantly reduces cortisol levels (a stress hormone), increases blood viscocity, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, increases wound healing, increases the immune system, and reduces chronic pain.
I have to admit that when I first heard about grounding, perhaps 10-15 years ago, I wrote it off as another hippie-dippie fad. It was not until I watched the docuseries Proven, that I became intrigued enough to do some research into the science behind the practice. After reading perhaps 20 different published, peer reviewed, papers on the subject I decided to give it a try. I sit barefooted on the swing in my back yard for at least 45 minutes twice a day. I cannot begin to explain to you how much it has helped me. I would urge you to keep an open mind, and to give it a try. I would be willing to bet that after a week of grounding for a minimum of 30 minutes each day, you will sleep better, You will have more energy. You will feel more able to deal with the stresses of daily life.