Everyday Oil friend and joyous human, Sam Rezk, contributed this journal post, thank you, Sam :)

What exactly is Earthing? 

Our Earth is an electrical planet and we are bioelectrical beings. Science reveals that direct contact with the earth provides us with an energy fusion from mother nature. Some refer to this as “Vitamin G” for Ground :)

“This energy infusion is powerful stuff. It can restore and stabilize the bioelectrical circuitry that governs your physiology and organs, harmonize your basic biological rhythms, boost self-healing mechanisms, reduce inflammation and pain, and improve your sleep and feeling of calmness. When these things happen, you feel better in a big way.” - Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!

In the modern world, we no longer walk barefoot or sleep on the ground; so making the act of Earthing intentionally a part of your routine is vital. It can improve inflammation, pain, fatigue, stress, and poor sleep.  

"Studies have documented virtually immediate physiologic and clinical effects of grounding or earthing the body. It is well established, though not widely known, that the surface of the earth possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons as a consequence of a global atmospheric electron circuit. Wearing shoes with insulating soles and/or sleeping in beds that are isolated from the electrical ground plane of the earth have disconnected most people from the earth's electrical rhythms and free electrons. The most reasonable hypothesis to explain the beneficial effects of earthing is that a direct earth connection enables both diurnal (during the day) electrical rhythms and free electrons to flow from the earth to the body. It is proposed that the earth's diurnal electrical rhythms set the biological clocks for hormones that regulate sleep and activity. It is also suggested that free electrons from the earth neutralize the positively charged free radicals that are the hallmark of chronic inflammation. A relationship between cortisol and inflammation was established in the pioneering work of H. Selye published in the 1950s. Current biomedical research has led to an inflammation hypothesis that is establishing chronic inflammation as the culprit behind almost every modern chronic illness.  Connecting the human body to the earth during sleep (earthing) normalizes the daily cortisol rhythm and improves sleep. A variety of other benefits were reported, including reductions in pain and inflammation." - An excerpt from a study published by the National Institute of Health ~ 

“Modern lifestyle has increasingly separated humans from the primordial flow of Earth's electrons. For example, since the 1960s, we have increasingly worn insulating rubber or plastic soled shoes, instead of the traditional leather fashioned from hides.” - US National Library of Medicine 

Earthing is not a new concept; in fact our ancestors have practiced it since our existence on this planet. It is only recently that we have lost touch with it. 

Like many others, I have lived in a city for much of my adulthood but I actually grew up in rural Pennsylvania. I didn’t even consider that this could be a missing piece in my adult life until I was going through the security line at the Bali airport. A Swedish woman was beside me and we began talking. She was kind, calm, beautiful and also barefooted. Her sandals were sticking out of her carry-on bag. Although being barefoot is fairly common in Bali, it isn’t in the airport so I was intrigued. I was expanded by her positive energy and her freeness. I wanted to explore this idea of physically connecting with the earth before my flight; so after we parted ways, I removed my shoes and remained barefoot throughout the airport until my departure. 

I noticed that after doing this, I felt less anxious and the overall stress of travel was reduced. Flying is physically hard on your body but I was feeling lighter and grounded; as if I had just done a moving meditation. While the simple act of being barefoot is amazing, the flooring of most buildings prevents us from getting the true effects of connecting with the Earth's surface. Surfaces with wood, carpet, asphalt, sealed or painted concrete and vinyl block the flow of electrons as they are not conductive surfaces. In order to get all of the benefits of Earthing, go outside!

Sometimes, I will walk barefoot in the grass or try to be near natural water sources more frequently or I will simply touch a warm rock with my hand. 

After a recent flight, I couldn’t wait to get to my Airbnb and lay in the grass. My sister joined me and I felt my eyes glaze over. I was at peace! Laying underneath a big tree, I was refreshed.  My energy was restored as if I had awoken from a deep sleep. It was truly amazing! 

Ways you can incorporate Earthing into your life ~

Try being outside for at least 30 minutes a day - stand, sit, walk or lay on the grass, sand, dirt or even concrete. If 30 minutes is not possible for you, start small - even 10 to 15 minutes is better than nothing. I promise that feeling the positive effects will make you want more :) Being in natural waterways like rivers, lakes, oceans or on damp surfaces like moss and river rocks are also great sources of Vitamin G.

Other ways to be Earthed 

✿ Wear natural leather-soled shoes (soft-soled moccasins)

✿ When you are outside slip off your shoes, sit and lie on the ground

✿ Use a biomat (Fun fact, Earthing is the same idea behind biomats, so save some cash and go nap outside on the ground!)

✿ Sleep on the earth

✿ Garden with bare feet and bare hands

✿ Swim in natural waters

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If you’d like to know more about earthing + grounding please check out these resources;

Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons

Can electrons act as antioxidants? A review and commentary.

Heart MD Institute

US National Library of Medicine  

❤️