Grounding (aka earthing) could be the solution you're looking for to improve sleep, energy & aches and pains in midlife
Have you ever kicked off your shoes and walked barefoot on the grass or sand and felt an instant sense of relaxation and rejuvenation? That's the magic of grounding, also known as earthing. It's a simple practice with profound benefits for our health and wellbeing and, in the menopause years who would say no to a little helping hand!
I know, it sounds totally woo-woo but there is some solid science for it so let's dive into the science and explore how grounding can boost your energy, reduce inflammation, and enhance your sleep.
Grounding, also known as earthing, refers to the practice of physically connecting with the Earth's surface. Whether it's walking barefoot, lying on the beach, or gardening with your hands in the soil, grounding allows you to absorb the Earth's electrical energy.
It might sound a bit mad but really this is deep science; a branch called quantum biology that explores how the body is influenced by the Earth’s magnetic field.
As a menopause nutritionist & coach, I believe in taking a holistic approach to your health. Food is, of course, a key part, you ignore lifestyle aspects as your peril if you want to have a smooth menopause, but you can consider grounding the cherry on top.
In this blog, I'll explore the numerous benefits of earthing and how it can positively impact your life so you can go from menopause misery to yay almost overnight (you can probably tell I'm a fan). From reducing inflammation to improving sleep, earthing has the potential to up-level your wellbeing. So, let's dive in and discover how connecting with natural energy can transform your health and happiness.
The key take-aways are these:
The body needs a balance between positively and negatively charged electrons – too many positively charged electrons lead oxidative stress and free-radical damage.
Grounding involves physically connecting with the Earth's surface. By doing this, you can absorb the negatively charged electrons from the Earth.
Grounding has the potential to reduce inflammation and improve sleep.
A grounding sheet (that you put on your bed) is the easiest way to get grounding into your life without doing a stitch of work - scroll down for my personal recommendation.
What is grounding?
Grounding is the act of connecting directly with the Earth's surface, typically by walking barefoot outdoors or using grounding devices indoors that can tap into the earth in your home’s wall sockets. The Earth's surface is abundant with free electrons, which are negatively charged particles. When you make direct contact with the Earth, these electrons are transferred to your body, neutralising harmful free radicals (that can cause inflammation and disease) and restoring balance.
According to fans of grounding, our modern lifestyles have distanced us from the connecting Earth's electromagnetic field (also referred to as the Schumann resonance). We spend less time barefoot in nature or working the land with our bare hands. Even lying on the beach. Yes, this is fabulous. Remember, way back when, our ancestors even slept on the ground (not recommended). This disconnect we have nowadays may lead to imbalances in our body's electrical systems, potentially affecting our health.
Grounding is about reconnecting with nature and tapping into the Earth's healing energy and making the most of the natural anti-inflammatory benefits it can provide. There aren’t a huge number of rigorous scientific studies but there are some positive works coming out as well as a huge amount of anecdotal evidence in its favour.
The benefits of grounding
Earthing has been associated with various health benefits, both scientifically proven and anecdotally reported.
Boosts energy levels:
Grounding can help reduce fatigue and boost energy levels by neutralising the excess positively charged electrons (free radicals) in the body.
Reduces inflammation:
Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Grounding has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the levels of inflammatory markers in the body.
Improves sleep quality:
Many of us struggle with poor sleep quality due to stress, electronic devices, and other modern-day distractions. Grounding can help improve sleep by regulating circadian rhythms and reducing stress levels.
Improves circulation
One study suggests grounding reduces blood pressure in participants with hypertension.
Incorporating grounding into your life
To experience the benefits of grounding, you’ll need to find a way to incorporate it into your daily life. Here are some simple ways to connect with the Earth's energy:
Go barefoot and walk on grass, sand, or soil whenever possible. Feel the connection between your feet and the Earth beneath you.
Take breaks during the day to sit or lie on the ground. Whether it's in your back garden or a local park, allow yourself to fully relax and absorb the Earth's energy.
Spend time in the garden or tending to plants. Digging in the soil and nurturing plants provides an opportunity for grounding as you connect with the Earth's energy.
Consider using grounding mats or sheets that allow you to connect with the Earth's energy while indoors. These devices are designed to mimic the effects of direct contact with the Earth's surface – they plug into the earth in your wall sockets or – if you don’t fancy that idea – you can buy earthing kids, which are essentially a rod that you put into the ground attached by a very long wire to a small plug that plugs into a grounding mat or sheet. This one is great because you can get the benefits of grounding without having to do anything extra - my kind of addition to life.
This is the one I use - Rowland (note: this is an affiliate link, which means they do give me a little kickback if anyone buys through my link but I only ever recommend things I have bought with my own cash in the first place and I would 100% recommend).