Grounding: Experience healing touch of Earth

Countless studies agree on the notion that we feel better when we are surrounded by nature, so we let her be. The effectiveness of grounding can vary depending on what you're standing on.

- BY REVATHI MURUGAPPAN

When was the last time you walked barefoot on grass?

I bet it was during your childhood, and since then, your feet have probably been covered up with fancy shoes and slippers.

Grounding or earthing is a method of walking barefoot on the earth's natural surfaces that is gaining popularity.

Proponents believe that the surface of the earth carries a beneficial negative electrical charge.

So when our skin touches it directly, an exchange occurs to counter the positive charge we build up from our typical modern lifestyle that often lacks regular, direct contact with nature.

Just as vitamin D in our body is produced by energy and frequencies generated from the sun 93 million miles away, the earth under our feet provides unique energy and frequencies that directly influence our body.

Grounding appears to correct what is called an "electron deficiency syndrome", an overlooked and likely significant cause of multiple health disorders.

There have not been many scientific studies on the subject, but those that have been done have shown benefits in improving chronic pain, wound healing, inflammation, blood circulation, sleep and stress.

One 2006 study published in the Journal of European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics observed the patterns of patients' cortisol levels before and after grounding.

Researchers found that their cortisol rises and dips were scattered and somewhat unpredictable in the adults before they practised grounding.

After grounding daily for a month, their levels of cortisol were more in line with the natural rhythms of the earth and sun.

They had higher cortisol early in the morning when we naturally need more to feel alert and awake, and lower cortisol at night when we need to unwind in order to fall asleep.

How to do it

Grounding can be done on grass, sand, soil and mud.