Grounding exercises: 2 techniques for self-balance

, Monday, 28 November 2022

Vitamins and minerals are essential for many bodily functions and play an important role in our health. They aid in the regulation of hormones, bone health, healing, and the fight against infections. Except for vitamin D, which our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight, most vitamins are accessible through the food we consume.

Walking barefoot in the woods

So, how about that Vitamin G (Grounding)? Our diets cannot provide everything required for a healthy body, though a well-balanced diet is essential!

Our bodies also require other beneficial elements from our surroundings in order to function properly. Our environment has a major impact on our wellbeing.

In essence, just as the human body requires sunlight to generate vitamin D, it also requires ground or earth exposure to receive electrical nutrition in the form of charged particles or Vitamin G!

Numerous studies have revealed that we are electrical beings. We evolved in relationship to the Earth. The human body, including the brain, heart, and muscles, is all electrical in nature.

When we walk barefoot on the earth or immerse ourselves in natural water, we accumulate electrons that help to neutralise free radicals that trigger inflammatory response and thus damage our body’s cells.

We benefit from grounding or earthing when we connect to the earth grid system.

We live mostly insulated from the Earth in today’s modern world. During the colder, darker months of Fall and Winter, we retreat even further into our homes, offices, and cars, cutting ourselves off from the ground’s healing electrons.

Grounding availability is reduced. This “disconnect” causes us to become deficient in electrons over time, which has a critical effect on all areas of our health.

Today, we will look at how grounding exercises can help you recover from stressful situations without having a negative impact on your health.

Grounding exercises improve our ability to deal with stress. This is due to the fact that they connect us to our bodies and minds. They also allow us to remain grounded during difficult times.

Grounding exercises are an effective treatment for pain and anxiety disorders. They have been used for thousands of years and continue to be popular today.

There are many different types of grounding exercises, but they all have the same goal: to ground the body and reduce the effects of chronic stress. You can effectively manage stress throughout your day by learning how to ground properly.

What exactly is grounding?

Grounding is defined as the act of connecting to the energy of the Earth and counteracting its negative effects on the nervous system.

Dr. Edmund Jacobson, considered the father of modern bioenergetics, was the first to study and document it.

He described a series of simple exercises that anyone could do on a daily basis to help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

His method entails lying on the floor and touching the soles of his feet together, then moving upwards along the legs, torso, arms, neck, head, ears, eyes, nose, and finally connecting with the earth at the top of the head.

In his book “The Biology of Belief,” he compares these methods to tapping into the subconscious mind.

What is the purpose of grounding?

When we have stressful thoughts or emotions, our brain produces neurotransmitters, which cause us to feel anxious or depressed.

These neurotransmitters are in charge of sending messages throughout the body that tell us whether we should fight or flee.

When we do not respond to these signals, they accumulate and become chronic.

Chronic stress is what causes anxiety and depression; it does not cause them; it only exacerbates them.

Grounding helps us release stress hormones by connecting us to the earth.

Who should perform grounding exercises?

Anyone can benefit from grounding.

According to studies, people who regularly practise grounding exercises recover faster from traumatic events and are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression after experiencing life crises.

Anyone who works long hours or lives in a crowded environment is vulnerable to stress-related illnesses.

People who work night shifts or travel frequently, eat poorly, exercise infrequently, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop chronic stress issues.

How long Should I practice grounding?

You should ground for three weeks before deciding if it works for you. Continue practising for a month if you notice improvements in your mood, sleep quality, and stress level. If you continue to see positive results, keep doing it indefinitely.

Consistency is required, as with any exercise routine, to reap the benefits.

2 Grounding exercises to help you connect to the earth

Grounding exercises to reconnect you to the Earth are simple: simply remove your shoes and socks and go outside.

You can stand still, walk, or lay down.

A ground connection, like any other electrical circuit, requires only one point of contact.

One foot on the ground will ground you, but two feet on the ground will provide a stronger grounding effect.

The Earthing movement’s researchers recommend walking barefoot on the ground for at least 20 minutes twice a day for healing.

However, even if you can only connect to the Earth for 10 minutes during lunch, it will be beneficial.

Pesticide-sprayed grass should be avoided because it will be absorbed through your feet.

Be cautious in areas where there could be broken glass or debris.

Avoid walking barefoot on asphalt.

Stand tall like a tree

Zhan Zhuang, or standing meditation, works best in nature (in fresh air) and even better when done barefoot on the Earth.

Time range: 1 minute to 10 minutes

1. Visualization technique of earthing

Feel the earth beneath your feet and centre yourself.
Now, concentrate on your heart.

Become aware of the life energy emanating from your heart.

Consider the centre of the Earth.
It could be a magma core, a circle of light, or anything else that occurs to you.

Next, imagine a curved beam of light or energy travelling from your heart to the core of the Earth.

From the core to your heart, a complementary curved energy beam extends (completing a pointed oval).

Feel the link between your heart and the centre of the Earth.

Time: As long as you want.

Rolling around like a cat

Have you ever noticed how some cats and dogs roll around on the ground?

I’ve often wondered if they know instinctively how to release negative energy.

Try getting your hands dirty and rolling around on the ground.

You’ll realise why cats do it.

It feels great.

Time: 2–5 minutes or as long as you want.

Where can I find more information?

There are several good books available that thoroughly describe grounding techniques.
Check out some of these titles:

  • James Hillman’s “Anatomy of a State of Mind”

  • Edmund Jacobson’s “The Biology of Believing”

  • Andrew Weil’s “Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself”

  • Daniel Kahneman’s “Thinking Fast and Slow”

Where can I find assistance?

You can learn more about how we can help you with grounding and mind-calming by clicking on the links below:

Ben has been a practical pain management trainer and a celebrated massage therapist. He believes human well-being is deeply connected to the health of mind and body both, including deep tissues. He holds numerous certifications for best of breeds massage techniques helping him on a mission for healthy London and then rest of the world. He has been an active contributor in massage technique research and on Massaggi blog.