Earthing and Grounding
Never underestimate the power of the Earth and her healing abilities.
There is a beautiful solace and unprecedented comfort in grounding.
Grounding, an extension of practicing mindfulness, is staying connected to the present. More specifically, spiritual grounding is "balance within the spiritual and physical aspects of ourselves. It is connecting with the Earth."
How do we begin to connect with the Earth? Why does it even matter?
As I remember an Instagram story post from energy worker Maryam Hasnaa, I'm here to tell you how healing the Earth is self-care on a cosmic level. The idea that as you heal the Earth, the Earth heals you supports dozens of scientific research articles. Remember in grade school when we first learned how potatoes are sources of electricity? There are electrical charges within the Earth and ourselves.
Photo by Akil Mazumder:
In the Journal of Science and Healing EXPLORE's 2020 edition, researchers found those who regularly practiced Earthing reported "less pain and improved mood." How is this possible?
"Just as vitamin D in our bodies is produced by energy and frequencies generated from the sun, 93 million miles away, the Earth right under our feet provides unique energy and frequencies that directly influence our body." As a melanated person, I need a little extra vitamin D throughout my day. As one of my daily mindful practices, I spend my lunch breaks outside soaking up the sun rays and taking my shoes off to put my toes in the grass. Although open about my 'woo woo' ways, I have my lunch break later in the day to avoid curious eyes.
Photo by Angela Roma : https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-black-woman-touching-leg-7479968/
I have felt and seen the immediate results of giving my skin extra love. It feels as though my mind has sipped a cold glass of water with a twist of lemon after being outside. In my experience, grounding takes a little extra attention.
Plants root themselves from the Earth to eventually reach up to the sun. Our bodies call us to do the same. That is how we begin to link ourselves with the Earth. The knowledge of the Earth providing something that we cannot currently produce on our own is how we start a connection. EXPLORE continues to explain how "the Earth appears to correct [what's called] an electron deficiency."
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford P.h.D., creator of Therapy for Black Girls and author of Sisterhood Heals gives an example of a grounding technique called the 5-4-3-2-1 method. The practice requires you to take a few moments to notice five things in your environment that you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. What stood out to me was the posture taken to benefit from this technique: Plant your feet firmly on the ground.
Photo by PNW Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-standing-on-rock-8981013/
Although the definitions of Earthing and grounding differ, the similarities and benefits draw me to the act. As someone diagnosed with severe depressive disorder and mild anxiety, I am medicated and attend therapy regularly. Moreover, I believe in the healing possibilities within myself and the elements around me. Earthing comes into play because of this.
So why do the definitions of Earthing and Dr. Joy's grounding technique live in the same place inside my mind?
They have brought me back to peace during a storm in my mind and body.
These techniques and daily practices are in place and shared to ensure the cycle of healing continues. Earthing is important to feel connected to the Earth that houses us, that feeds us, bathes us, and nurtures us. Grounding is essential to keeping our minds and bodies in the present, appreciating how our bodies carry us, and respecting its boundaries. When the seasons change, the grass and trees rest and reset. The same stands trues with our minds and bodies.
Photo by MacD Terrence Mohlala: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-with-dreadlocks-sitting-and-posing-on-grass-18102753/
Resources
Wendy Menigoz, Tracy T. Latz, Robin A. Ely, Cimone Kamei, Gregory Melvin, Drew Sinatra,
Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations,
EXPLORE,
Volume 16, Issue 3,
2020,
Pages 152-160,
ISSN 1550-8307,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830719305476)
Abstract: Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to the discovery that bodily contact with the Earth's natural electric charge stabilizes the physiology at the deepest levels, reduces inflammation, pain, and stress, improves blood flow, energy, and sleep, and generates greater well-being. Such effects are profound, systemic, and foundational, and often develop rapidly. Earthing is as simple as routinely walking barefoot outdoors and/or using inexpensive grounding systems indoors while sleeping or sitting, practices that restore a lost and needed electric connection with the Earth. Some 20 studies to date have reported intriguing evidence of wide and significant physiological improvements when the body is grounded vs. non-grounded. The research, along with numerous anecdotal reports, demonstrates that Earthing clearly deserves inclusion in the clinical practice of preventive, alternative, and lifestyle medicine and has great potential to render these approaches more effective.
Keywords: Earthing; Grounding; Electron deficiency
