Grounding/Earthing
Earthing/Grounding: Grounding, also known as Earthing, is the practice of connecting the human body to the earth’s surface. This physical contact establishes an electromagnet connection that can be measured by using a volt meter. Our bodies accumulate positive charges from various sources such as electronic devices & electromagnetic pollutants. Materials like rubber sole shoes & asphalt prevent the discharge of these positive charges and grounding releases these positive charges. Grounding can be accomplished by walking barefoot outdoors, sitting/lying down on the ground or using grounding products (grounding sheets, mats, pillow cases, etc.).
Earthing Claims: Proponents of grounding claim that it has various health benefits. Some of the sited benefits are inflammation reduction, sleep improvements, relaxation promotion, pain relief, circulatory improvements, quicker wound healing, faster recovery from extreme exercise (decrease muscle soreness/inflammation), immune system booster, balance of energy levels, jet lag alleviation, preterm infant vagal nerve tone response & stress reduction. However, while research has supported some of these benefits, the volume of research is limited.
Earthing Research: Although limited, some examples scientific evidence of grounding are: 1) “The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Inflammation, the Immune Response, Wound Healing & Prevention & Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory & Autoimmune Diseases” [Journal of Inflammation Research ‘15]; 2) “The Biological Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep as Measured by Cortisol Levels & Subjective Reporting of Sleep, Pain & Stress” [Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine ‘04]; 3) Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body Reduces Blood Viscosity - a Major Factor in Cardiovascular Disease” [Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine ‘13]; 4) Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons [Journal of Environmental & Public Health ‘12]; 5) Electrical Grounding Improves Vagal Tone in Preterm Infants [Neonatology ’17].
Earthing Who’s Who: Clinton Ober: Author & one of the pioneers in popularizing earthing; Martin Zucker: Collaborated with Clinton Ober; 3) Stephen Sinatra: Cardiologist who co-authored with Clinton Ober; 4) James Oshman: An authority on energy medicine & biophysics & contributed to scientific understanding of earthing; 5) Laura Koniver, MD: a holistic physician, grounding advocate & author.
How to Ground: Natural ways to ground: 1) Walk barefoot outside on grass, soil, sand or concrete; 2) Gardening: Skin to earth or touching plants in the earth; 3) Sitting or lying on the ground; 4) Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) while physically touching plants, earth & rocks; 5) Swimming in lakes, rivers, ocean & swimming pools; 6) Manufactured Products: Mats, sheets, blankets, shoes & pillowcases. The effects of grounding can be measured by using a volt meter. When grounded, a volt meter will register the human body with a lower positive charge than when it is ungrounded.
Earthing Time: There isn’t a recommended minimum amount of time that you should spend grounding. Start with a few minutes & incorporate it into your current daily activities. Consistency is key. If you don’t know where & how to start, go outside & put your palm on a tree trunk for one-minute. Pay attention to how your body responses to this experience. As you reconnect with the earth, listen to your body’s calmness, pay attention to your breath, feel your heart rate relax.