EARTHING
Earthing is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature,
connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.
By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world.
We have walked bare feet it for millions of years, and our body was always in contact with the earth.
Today we use shoes, we walk on asphalt and live in high buildings.
We have literally disconnected from the natural and necessary connection with our Mother Earth.
The surface of the earth, and the nature, generally, is one big electric network with a “negative charge “. When our skin comes in contact with the surface of the earth, we absorb the negatively charged electrons. That helps us for example neutralising the free radicals, positive charge that comes from our own metabolism, but also from for example being in a closed room like an office, or when we are exposed to tobacco, or any toxic substance in the environment, or food made with a lot of different additives.
Another hypothesis about why this is functioning, is that when we are in contact with the earth. We have the same electrical charge, as the planet.
When you change the electrical charge by isolating yourself with rubber soles your physiology changes. Remember, we are pure chemicals. Since we are made of electrons, protons and their interaction. When you change the natural balance. You will get imbalances in your functions.
Is there a science behind Earthing?
There have been made many double blinded lab test cative things to say if Earthing has an influence on our physiology, and they have been giving a surprising list of positive results:
It increases your good mood.
It generates a positive effect on the electrical activity in the brain.
It reduces inflammation and improves the immune response.
It regulates the autonome nervous system and the heart rhythm.
It improves sleep and reduces cortisol level in the night.
Our respiratory rhythm and our heart rhythm changes when we aren’t connected to the earth.
Can these disturbances in our respiratory system and our heart rhythm may be some of the reasons of the growing number of chronical diseases that we find in these days in our modern society?
James L Ashlynn PhD writes about it in this text about chronical diseases, titled “Chronic disease, are we missing something”, where he proposes that our modern lifestyle that keeps us without connection to the earth is a contribution to chronicle levels of inflammation.
That is a common sign of many chronic diseases. This can mean that if we practice earthing, it can be a very important tool or a cornerstone, not only to prevent but also support the treatment of many chronic diseases related to inflammation.
3 ways to practise earthing
Walk Barefoot
Take your shoes off and sink your feet into the Earth. Feel the texture, temperature, and density beneath your feet. Most shoes are made with plastic or rubber soles, both of which inhibit the absorption of electric charge from the Earth.
Forest Bathing
A small amount of time in nature can have an impact on our health. A two-hour forest bath will help you to unplug from technology and slow down. It will bring you into the present moment and de-stress and relax you. Lean against or hug a tree. Just be creative.
Lay on the Grass
Lay on the grass or on the sand. Make sure your skin is in contact with the earth. Feel the texture, temperature, and density beneath you and let your body relax and absorb the benefits.