Some Call it “Grounding”

Imagine with me for a moment the sun is high up in the deepest of blue skies. It’s not too hot, because there is a light breeze flowing through the trees scattered here and there. You hear the sound of water gently splashing against the sandy shore. You smell the salt in the air. Your toes are sunk into the cool, wet sand as more waves wash up to you. You feel immense joy, lost in the present of being right where you are. You wiggle your toes and sink deeper into the sand as calm begins to bubble up from within you. This is something you always wish you could bottle up and take with you, but you never can. So you just soak it in as long as you can. This is what we call “grounding.” 

Grounding is a term, also referred to by some as “earthing” which means that you have physical contact directly with the earth. For example, walking in the grass, kneeling in the dirt, swimming in the ocean, dipping your toes into the water. Skin to actual material nature is the goal. It can be while you are planting your vegetable garden or simply being intentional when you are outdoors to touch nature and allow nature to touch you. There is a lot of power I have recently stumbled upon in this very simple, ancient practice. So I began to do a little digging and have been delighted by what I have discovered. 

English is funny sometimes, because of the layers of meanings that words can have. 

• Ground (n): the surface of the earth 

• Ground (n): an area of knowledge or interest – used like “We have a lot of ground to cover”

• Ground (n): a set of beliefs, opinions, or attitudes – used like “Kathy finds a way to connect on common ground with others.” 

• Grounded (adj): used to describe a person who is sensible and has a good understanding of what is really important in life

We tend to use ground, not just as a word to describe the surface of the earth, but to also describe a sort of foundation or position from which to grow or expand. I find it fascinating, especially when considering “grounded” as an adjective that means that someone operates out of values and essentials, when taken with the growing evidence that taking intentional time to touch the surface of the earth can improve your health dramatically. Recalling how good I feel when I go to the beach and how that experience is one I always want to linger in, it’s not too surprising that it’s called “grounding” and can help you refocus and become “grounded.” 

The other day as we had one of the first truly sunny days in a while, I felt an unusual urge to be outdoors, but to go further and touch the outside. So after I finished my walk around the park and I was back near my home, I slipped off my sandals and walked in the grass. I was already feeling better just being in the fresh air, but when my toes sunk into the rain soaked grass and I was walking around in the squelchy freshness, I felt an additional jolt of goodness and gratitude. This is what happens even from a scientific perspective. The earth is full of energy and when you make full contact with the ground, the electrical currents of the earth flow through you to improve your mood, decrease inflammation, improve breathing, and can even reduce stress as well. It is amazing to consider that in fact the earth truly does have all we need to live well. We can slip off our shoes and walk in natural places and renew our mental and emotional balance. The earth’s electrical currents help our biological flow as well and should not be discounted for their benefits. Even if it is placebic, then no harm no foul. 

I encourage you to give it a try. At the end of a walk, do a bit of barefoot walking in the grass or dirt. Go outside and weed in your yard or garden. Don’t miss that chance to take off your shoes and socks and walk in the sand or dip your toes in the water. I have decided to be intentional and take advantage of spring to ground myself as much as possible. I challenge you to do likewise. Tell me about your experiences! I cannot wait to hear how earthing/grounding is benefitting your life. 

Blog Engagement:

Vocabulary: 

1. squelchy (adj) making a sucking sound as if stepping into wet ground

2. placebic (adj): meaning acts like a placebo which is a pill or substance that is given to a patient like a drug but that has no physical effect on the patient, but can result in positive changes

Idioms: 

1. no harm no foul – an expression that means that if something was seemingly bad or a mistake but it didn’t result in a negative outcome then it should be acceptable. 

Questions:

1. What is the most surprising thing regarding grounding/earthing?

2. Are you open to trying it, why or why not? 

3. What about the modern world can make earthing a challenge?