What Does it Mean to "Ground"?
If you’re anything like me, the first time you heard the term “grounding” (meaning walking around barefoot) you likely responded with skepticism. I’m from Texas. I grew up running around outside barefoot through the yard, down to the creek and even through the chicken coop (probably not the best idea). My parents and grandparents were constantly asking me to put on my shoes. From the time I was a child, I have fully experienced and embraced the peace that comes from grounding. But to think that there is a scientific explanation for this sense of serenity. Couldn’t be true.
Well. It turns out my skepticism was unfounded. There is an explanation, and it’s pretty amazing.
Over the last few years of studying nutrition and functional medicine, I’ve discovered something very interesting: our bodies absorb much of what is imperceivable by our senses (whether or not it is helpful or harmful to us). This includes but is not limited to microparticles in our water, air and food.
One example is EMFs. The electronic devices around us generate electric and magnetic fields, which together form electromagnetic fields that extend into the surrounding space, coming in contact with our skin. EMFs can be emitted in low frequencies by power lines, electrical wiring, and appliances as well as in high frequencies through cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, laptops and other wireless devices. Proximity to these sources can induce electrical potentials on your skin, increasing what is called your “body voltage.” Your body voltage increases as you near any electronics which are emitting EMFs. This activates your sympathetic nervous system, keeping your body in a fight or flight state.
The solution: grounding. When your body comes into contact with the earth — such as walking barefoot through a field — your body voltage will be immediately neutralized. Your feet are absorbing excess free electrons from the earth’s surface, equalizing your body voltage. This is associated with shifts toward parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system activity. This nervous system regulation provides the sense of serenity you feel when you walk through a field barefoot.
These free electrons may also be healing on a cellular level. Some research suggests that the electrons you absorb through your feet will neutralize positively charged free radicals (oxidative stress) within your cells, lowering inflammation.
The research is ongoing, but it is hypothesized that grounding for at least 20 minutes a day will:
Increase your parasympathetic nervous system activity
Lower levels of oxidative stress
Lower Inflammatory levels
Regulate your stress hormones
I recently posted a video on Instagram illustrating this:
It turns out my 7-year-old self instinctively chose to practice something inherently regulating. My body knew of these benefits, long before my mind could make sense of them. This speaks to a lesson that has taken me almost 3 decades to finally learn: it’s time to listen to my body.
As I said before: our bodies absorb so much around us that cannot be perceived by our five senses. This doesn’t just include the toxins in our environment. This also includes psychological and spiritual realities that may not be quantifiable on a scientific level (yet). And it turns out: we often know what is good for us and what isn’t. It’s time to trust our bodies’ perceptions. It’s time to walk in the truths we know to be accurate deep in our gut, even if our mind can’t make sense of it.
 | A guest post by
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