Grounding, Earthing, and the Benefits of Touching the Earth - The Right Way To Ground
Updated 2024
A natural, barefoot grounding walk is a basic digital well-being strategy to connect to the earth and disconnect from technology.
Grounding 101
Grounding by walking on the beach each day is my medicine!
Walking around all day in rubber shoes and being layers away from the ground, be it through unnatural flooring or distance, is significantly interfering with our energetic connection to the Earth and depletes our natural electrons.
The Study of Health and Earthing or Grounding
The science of how physiologically, we might benefit when our body directly connects to the natural electrical frequencies of the earth is thought to be very solid by some and unproven by others.
The idea is that electrons drawn into the body from the earth neutralize damaging free radicals and by extension reduce disease-related chronic or acute inflammation.
Earthing, also known as grounding, focuses on the belief that contact with the Earth’s electric energy --even through the use of wired or electrical connectors can generate significant physiological changes in the body. In one study covered in "Earthing" the book, participants slept on a special mat that had a connection to a grounding device outside the house. When compared to the ungrounded participants in the same study, the grounded ones showed significant changes in key biomarkers including serum sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, total protein, and others.
There have been studies linking grounding to the reduction of inflammation and pain and shown perceptible changes in the autonomic nervous system from the sympathetic fight or flight response to the more relaxed para-sympathetic response.
Gaetan Chevalier, Ph.D. in Engineering Physics
"The studies I have been involved with have yielded an intriguing picture of what happens when we connect to the Earth. In short, it’s as if a switch is somehow turned on, and, in response, the body’s inner workings start functioning more efficiently and robustly." says Chevalier
Natural Grounding vs Grounding Pads and Beds.
Go For The Grounding Rod and Say No To Plugging Into A Outlet
You won't always know if your outlets are properly grounded or if they are exposing you to electrical interference.
Electrically Ground Yourself To The Earth The Natural Way!
You can use the wiring that comes with a grounding mat, sheets, or any grounding apparatus, and connect that wire to the actual ground that's outside. Or you can get a rod with wire like this one:
If you want to take a deep dive into connecting to the earth and grounding, check out Earthing: the book that explains all about the process.
Be aware that there’s a pretty big commercial aspect to this electric type of earthing. There are many websites that sell a range of equipment including earthing beds and chairs that can get pretty pricey - which is just one more reason to love the idea of natural grounding.
Building Biologist Shane Rielly Shows The Electric Fields You Can Be Exposed To By Plugging A Grounding Mat In
Oram Miller, a noted Building Biologist, also says this about grounding pads,
"We recommend that you ground these pads into the earth rather than into the ground of your electrical outlet when possible. We also recommend that you reduce the electric fields in your bedroom first by having a Building Biology evaluation of your home."
Jeromy Johnson, from EMFAnalysis, shows you below in this YouTube video how to tell if there is EMI (or electromagnetic interference or dirty electricity) coming from your electrical wiring.
Many people wonder if the grounding products are actually "connecting" to the earth at all. Well, there are continuity testers that can be used for that.Avoid Wireless EMF by Knowing Where It Is With This Meter
Wireless EMF and Dirty Electricity and Grounding
We're all about avoiding all types of wireless RF radiation and the Director of the Earthing Institute also recommends prudent avoidance of EMF radiation from all wireless devices and microwaves, but adds that grounding can help you repair by giving energy to the mitochondria and he believes that grounding mats can prevent the effects lower frequencies like those from magnetic energy and dirty electricity.
Finally, please remember that even the strongest proponents for grounding acknowledge there's a limit to the "magic" of grounding. It's not a cure-all.
Think of a grounding as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
I know what I'm going to do now . . . I hope you'll join me in spirit as I go outside and ground naturally with a healthy barefoot walk.
Be Well!
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