Grounding-the benefits and science behind it.

bare your sole

As inhabitants of concrete jungles, we've lost touch with the world beneath our feet. The earth that provides us sustenance and life has become a mere backdrop in our fast-paced lives. But have you considered the impacts of this disconnect and the opportunity that regular reconnection offers?

Every holiday season, we revel in the bliss of nature, feeling rejuvenated and alive. We take off our shoes on the beach, swim in the ocean, or walk barefoot in the garden or a park.  We find ourselves drawn towards nature, it's important to recognise that our bodies are intuitively yearning for connection - a return to the earth, grounding ourselves. It's time to 'bare our sole'.

What is Grounding?

The concept of grounding is straightforward – it’s about balancing the electrical potential of the human body, grounding our energy to the earth. We are bioelectrical beings living on an electrical planet, and our bodies operate electrically. All our cells transmit multiple frequencies that run, for instance, our heart, brain, immune system, muscles, and nervous system.

Grounding or earthing refers to direct skin contact with the surface of the earth, such as with bare feet or hands, or with various grounding systems. Scientific research over more than a decade indicates that our bodies can be protected and helped—and that we feel better—when we are electrically connected to the Earth.

Impact of Disconnection

Our disconnection from the earth reflects our disconnect from each other, our bodies, and ourselves, leading to imbalances in every quadrant of our lives (for some, this even has a name, NDD, Nature Deficit Disorder). This disconnect also manifests in the rising prevalence of conditions where inflammation in many areas of the body is observed and causes pain and disease. Indeed, the impact of this disconnect goes beyond the physical realm and seeps into our mental and emotional wellness.

As Laura Koniver MD states in her book, "The Earth Prescription", "We are starting to hear more and more about how our disconnect from the earth is causing a disconnect from our innate wellness. Studies reveal how decreased time spent outdoors is associated with anxiety and depression, ADHD, high blood pressure, high cortisol, decreased immune function, decreased memory, and poor-quality sleep. Time spent in nature correlates with improved health, study after study, show how restoring time in nature decreases mental illness improves mood decreases cortisol levels, increases the body's natural anti-cancer protein levels, and natural cancer killer activity, decreases stress, increases the attention span, treats ADD and ADHD, lowers the heart rate, and improves our overall Wellness.  Much of this is due to the direct effect of grounding the human body to boost conductive health and to the sole support we receive when opening ourselves, mind, body, and soul, to energetic support, that goes beyond the simple physical support of being grounded, we feel better, we feel uplifted, we feel energised, we feel centred, when you are spending time outdoors".

It's important to note that grounding should be approached with care and awareness, especially if one is under the supervision of their physician, or on regular medication and especially specific medications, such as blood thinning drugs. It might seem odd, but checking with your doctor before starting regular grounding is important, reflecting how far we've drifted from nature.  I have seen reports of people being advised by their medical professional to reduce medication, to maintain a correct dosage, after a period of grounding as their underlying conditions have improved, so please check first and maintain regular reviews with your doctor.

The Science

Scientifically speaking, grounding is far more than just a feel-good phenomenon. A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health indicated that grounding could improve sleep, normalise the day-night cortisol rhythm, reduce pain, and decrease stress. The Journal of Inflammation Research also reports that grounding can reduce or prevent symptoms of inflammation (full details of these papers is in the further reading section below).

The authority on grounding is Clint Ober, who literally wrote the book on the subject. In "Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?", Ober, a pioneer in the field of grounding, delves into the science behind the concept, explaining the Earth's natural 'negative' charge and how our bodies, when in direct contact with the earth, absorb this energy (negatively charged electrons). According to Ober, this energy exchange helps to neutralise harmful excess free radicals and reduces inflammation in our bodies. Essentially the ground provides the body mind, a free supply of antioxidants. His work has sparked interest and encouraged research in the field, leading to a deeper understanding of the healing potential of grounding.

With a compelling body of scientific evidence and expert insight, it's hard to ignore the profound impact grounding can have on our lives.

Benefits of Grounding

The reported benefits of grounding are extensive, significant and potentially profound for leaders and their people and include:

1.          Mental clarity from improved sleep.

2.         Significant stress, anxiety, and depression alleviation.

3.         Enhanced mood and feelings of centredness.

4.         Harmonious interpersonal interactions due to shared, enhanced moods.

5.         Collective reduction in stress and tension, creating more supportive environments.

6.         Reduced inflammation enhanced immune system, and improved blood flow.

7.         Grounding can help alleviate chronic pain, or disease, and has even helped improve conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and osteopenia.

8.         Elite Athletes particularly cyclists, have been using grounding for years to help them heal and recover more quickly from injuries.

9.        Restoration of the cortisol and circadian rhythm leading to a rejuvenated feeling every morning.

10.      Promoting sustainability and an earth-centric approach in communities and organisations.

11.       Healthier communities resulting from shared wellness.

While grounding is being rediscovered modern science, thanks to Clint Ober’s work, indigenous populations have understood and practised its virtues for millennia. It's time we recognise and respect these ancient practices, and integrate them into our lives for our wellbeing, and those that we care for and are responsible for and that of the planet.  

An Invitation

I invite you to 'earth' yourself more consciously than you already do. Grounding is not just a one-off practice; it can be a fundamental part of your way of life. A way of life that may offer better balance, wellness, and a deep, profound connection with the Earth.

In an age where disconnection, from ourselves, others, and our environment, is a growing concern, grounding emerges as a beacon. It’s a return to basics, a reaffirmation of our bond with the Earth and each other. As humans, integrating grounding into our lives might be one of the most impactful decisions we make, not just for us but for the organisations and communities we lead. It's time to take of your shoes, time to bare your sole.

Grounding is available free, accessible to everybody who chooses it, and in my opinion, beneficial and fundamental to our wellbeing. It's an essential part of our connection to the Earth, to each other, and to ourselves. That is why we, my wife, Sue and I, make it an integral part of our own wellbeing practice and why we incorporate it into our coaching and retreats.

As conscious humans, it's time we walk barefoot towards a grounded, balanced, and prosperous future. It's time for barefoot living practices.

Thank you Peter, for this amazing blog and allowing me to share part of your original one.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

love Sue xxx