Get “GROUNDED!”

“Grounding” or “Earthing” are interchangeable terms for the concept of reconnecting our bodies to the beneficial electrical charge of the earth.

There is an abundance of scientific and peer-reviewed information supporting the use of grounding to remedy nearly every health condition imaginable. I am no expert on the intricacies of electrical charges, but the basics are very easy to understand.

• The body produces free radicals in response to poor lifestyle choice (stress, unhealthy diet, injury, lack of sleep, pollution, chemicals, etc.). Free radicals are simply unpaired electrons which are electrically unstable and can cause progressively worse inflammation and health imbalances/problems.
• The earth has an abundance of free electrons, which bind to and stabilize free radicals, therefore neutralizing the harmful effects of inflammation and bringing the body back into a state of balance.
• When the body comes into direct contact with the earth’s surface, the earth transfers these very beneficial free electrons to the body, and this is “grounding!”

We Are VERY Disconnected From the Earth

For the majority of human history, humans were in nearly constant contact with the earth. People slept on the ground (not in raised beds), they walked on the grass, dirt, and forest, they gardened and hunted to get food, and they spent much of the day outside – before the advent of central air conditioning.

Today, we wear rubber-soled athletic shoes or boots, we work in multi-level office buildings or multi-level homes, we sleep in raised beds, we drive vehicles to travel from place to place, and we often don’t set foot in a wooded area for weeks or months at a time. Basically, we spend all of our time in contact with nonconductive surfaces (synthetic carpeting, vinyl floors, etc.).

Examples of Grounding and Positive Effects on Pain & Inflammation:

“For Amalu’s study, twenty patients with various complaints including (but not limited to): muscular and ligament strains and sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome and inflammatory joint conditions were grounded with either electrode patches or grounded bed pads. Thermographic images were taken both before grounding and after. The images showed Earthing to have a dramatic impact on inflammation and pain.”

Another case included ” …an 85-year-old male who suffered from intense, chronic back and shoulder pain. After 2 nights of sleeping grounded, he reported 50% less pain and 75% less stiffness.“

“Some study participants subjectively reported feeling better after just one grounding session, while most thermographic images showed up to 80 percent improvement within two to four weeks of two to three thirty minute sessions per week. With ongoing grounding over months, many participants continued to report great get relief from pain and in some cases, a complete disappearance of inflammatory symptoms.“

Source: Earthing Canada: The Beginner’s Guide to Earthing

Who Can Benefit from Grounding?

Anyone who experiences the following conditions:

• Allergies
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Anemia
• Asthma: inflammation has been linked to the blocking of bronchial passages
• Arthritis: chronic inflammation inhibits the release of lubricating joint fluids
• Autism: most autistic children have been found to have brain inflammation
• Cancer: inflammation can contribute to free radicals and tumor growth
• Cardiovascular disease: inflammation can lead to unhealthy arteries and damage to heart valves
• Diabetes, types 1 & 2
• Kidney failure
• Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis: inflammatory compounds attack the nervous system
• Pancreatitis: inflammation has been found to induce pancreatic cell injury
• Psoriasis and Eczema

Other Benefits:

• Reduced menopausal and PMS symptoms
• Improved sleep and vitality
• Reduce stress
• Equalization of hormone levels
• Accelerated relief from acute headaches
• Improved bone density
• Healthy blood pressure and circulation

Source: Earthing Canada: The Beginner’s Guide to Earthing

How Can I Get Grounded?

There are two basic ways to reap the positive effects of the earth’s balancing powers. The first way is to get outside and get the soles of your bare feet into direct contact with the earth. This can be done by walking on the grass, sitting down with your feet touching the earth, walking on the sandy beach, or going for a swim in the ocean.

The second (and sometimes more practical way, depending on the weather) is to use “grounding devices” in your house.

Grounding Mat: Pack of 2 Grounding Mats

This is what we received as a Christmas gift from a wonderful friend of ours! Simply place it on the floor so you can “ground” while working on your computer!

Grounding Sheets: Grounding Sheets – Organic Cotton and Grounding Cord

Wake rested and rejuvenated in the morning without joint pain & stiffness!

My Personal Experience

I have been interested in grounding for a few years and in the heat of the summer, I’m able to get out to walk around a little bit outside. However, this Christmas, one of our very good friends gave my husband and I a two-pack of grounding mats and the book I mention below. After reading the first 3 pages, I was certain that I’d be writing a blog post about this, in an attempt to share just a fraction of the amazing health benefits of this simple yet powerful practice!

When my legs or joints are sore from carrying and chasing a 23 pound toddler around all day long, I feel quick relief from using my grounding mat – it is fantastic! I’ve recently tried sleeping on the mat, and although I get a very restful and rejuvenating night of deep sleep, I think investing in some grounding sheets is the more feasible option in the future 😉

Want to Learn More?

The best source for information about grounding is the book, “Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!” by Clinton Ober.

If you are looking to do some quick research, here is a fantastic PDF summary of Clinton Ober’s groundbreaking work with grounding: