The terms “earthing” and “grounding” refer to walking barefoot on the earth, which allows for the transfer of free electrons from the earth into your body, through the soles of your feet.
These free electrons are among the most potent antioxidants known, and the effects of grounding have been shown to promote health in a number of ways.
For starters, walking barefoot can help improve the constant assault of electromagnetic fields and other types of radiation from cell phones, computers, and Wi-Fi a huge benefit for those of us that live your lives with electronics.
Grounding effectively alleviates inflammation because it thins your blood and infuses you with negatively charged ions. Inflammation thrives when your blood is thick and you have a lot of free radical stress and positive charges in your body.
It is important to know that not all surfaces allow you to ground. Effective outdoor grounding surfaces include sand, grass, bare soil, and unpainted/unsealed concrete and brick. It is possible for you to be grounded even if you’re not barefoot by wearing leather-soled footwear when you walk across these surfaces. The effect is not as effective as barefoot but it’s still present. When walking barefoot on grass, it is best if it is damp and you also want to make sure that it has not been sprayed with round-up or any other weed killers, as they are very toxic.
Being grounded in a modern dwelling is another matter. Grounding inside your home is almost impossible, as many common flooring materials are poor conductors. This includes wood and insulating materials, vinyl, carpet, sealed tiles, and marble if it’s chemically treated and placed on top of sealed concrete.
Does Your Elevation Impact Grounding?
The simple answer to this question is…yes. When you are grounded, meaning in contact with the Earth, it’s impossible for your body to carry a charge, which is good. The more distance there is between you and the Earth, the greater charge your body carries.
For every meter you are above the ground, 300 volts of charge will build up in your body. So if you are in a second story bedroom, your charge would be 1,000 volts; this voltage charge could increase your risk of health problems. For example, a study in 2009 found a 40 percent increase in strokes among people living in multistory homes.
You can do grounding indoors, this is best done by using a grounding pad or wrist and ankle bands. These work well provided you have a grounded electrical outlet, and can be particularly beneficial if you live in a high-rise building. You can identify a grounded outlet by the fact it’s a 3-prong outlet. Most modern homes built after 1970 will have a grounded electrical system. When using an earthing mat, make sure your bare skin is in contact with it, there should not be a layer of clothing between you and the mat.
How Grounding Benefits Your Blood
Another reason grounding is so beneficial is how it affects your blood. High-sugar diet, smoking, electromagnetic forces, emotional stress, anxiety, high cholesterol, and high uric acid tend to make your blood thicker and slow-moving which increases your risk of having a blood clot or stroke. Thicker blood is the cause of inflammation, because when your blood does not flow well, oxygen can’t get to your tissues.
Grounding helps thin your blood meaning it improves the energy between your red blood cells. When you ground to the earth, your red blood cells now have more charge on their surface, which forces them apart from each other. This action causes your blood to thin and flow easier. It also causes your blood pressure to drop.
Grounding Is a Foundational Aspect for Optimal Health
Free radical stress from toxic exposures associated with modern life continually depletes your body of electrons. This is one of the primary reasons why you need to eat an antioxidant-rich diet, as antioxidants donate electrons back into your body, thereby helping to help ward off free radical damage to your tissues. However, you don’t have to swallow them all. You can also get these electrons by going barefoot outside.
Grounding also helps calm your sympathetic nervous system, which supports your heart rate variability. This in turn plays an important role in balancing your autonomic nervous system. Pain relief, improved sleep, and a generally enhanced sense of well-being are but a few of the health benefits reported by people who try grounding.
If you are deficient in electrons, your body is unable to effectively combat inflammation. Grounding is one of the key mechanisms by which your body maintains equilibrium and health. The human body evolved in constant contact with the Earth, and your body needs this continuous interchange of energy in order to function properly.
When you stand barefoot on bare earth or sand, electrons from the Earth flow into your body; giving you a natural “transfusion” of healing power. This occurs until you equalize with the Earth, so you never have to worry about getting too much. The process simply stops when your charge returns to zero. It’s as safe and natural as it gets.
Grounding mats and bands, along with many other products can be purchased at http://www.earthing.com, there is also books and other interesting information on their website. I have been using the bands for over 6 months and have noticed a huge difference in my health issues and my level of pain relief. I am unable to walk barefoot because of my polio issues so these work perfectly for me.
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