It is easy to get stressed, feel disconnected, lose sleep and become anxious. The practice of grounding, also called earthing, involves touching your bare feet to the earth. The benefits of grounding – even if it is a short nature walk – include stress reduction, increasing the sense of well-being, and coupled with cold water therapy can nurture health and wellness.
Tapping nature for inspiration is common, but do you remember to take the time to do this? Grounding involves walking barefoot on grass, soil or sand. When one walks barefoot, your skin absorbs electrons that suggest potential benefits like reduction of inflammation, better sleep, and mood enhancement.
When you spend time outdoors, you can also absorb natural light and bring fresh air into your lungs. Fresh air and natural light boost energy levels. Whether you walk through the woods or in a park you can also connect with the trees as you are grounding your energy.
The Connected Web of Trees
When you walk barefoot in the grass, you’re experiencing more than just grass beneath your feet. Beneath the surface of the earth lies a hidden network of threads that connect the roots of trees. These tree root connections are called mycorrhizal networks. These networks allow trees to share nutrients and water. The connection among trees is a powerful energy source for the trees themselves, but can also provide energy for all beings.
Trees play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecology. Beyond the environmental benefits of trees, studies show that hugging a tree or sitting right next to a tree can lower blood pressure, boost immune function, and reduce stress. This practice originated in Japan and is described as forest bathing or shinrin-yoku. The exact science of how trees can influence well-being is still being explored, but most who practice forest bathing describe experiencing less anxiety and greater mindfulness.
How the Connected Web Can Help
It’s a little bit amusing that the word web has come to be affiliated with the internet – but the web that connects the earth underground is a different, magical web that matters. When you ground yourself and connect to the earth with your bare feet, you can tap into benefits that are widely respected across many cultures on the planet.
One of the facts that people attribute to these benefits involves electrical charge. The earth’s surface holds a negative electrical charge, while people can often accumulate a positive charge that can be related to stress and other environmental factors. Grounding can provide a balancing influence.
Beyond Grounding: Cold Water Therapy
Grounding with the earth encourages a sense of connection. Another powerful tool for boosting well-being is cold water therapy. This can mean taking a jump in a cold lake or taking an ice cold bath. Cold water therapy is frequently utilized by professional athletes for reducing swelling of injured or strained feet, ankles and more.
Benefits of cold water therapy include improved circulation, reduction of inflammation, a boost to immunity, increased alertness and stress reduction. Cold water constricts blood vessels, forcing blood to flow to the core to maintain warmth. When you step out, your blood vessels will dilate and this improves circulation.
Immunity may be boosted with cold water exposure, potentially helping your body ward off illness. Alertness happens due to the shock of the cold water. And stress reduction may occur with cold water therapy, as it moves your energy into your body awareness and away from the stresses of the day to day.
How to Infuse Your Life with the Practices of Grounding, Being Near Trees and Cold Water
- Begin your day with a grounding exercise. Walk barefoot in grass or dirt when you wake up. If you aren’t near grass at home, you may move this into a later time of day when you can get to a park or an outdoor space.
- Find a place with trees and integrate being next to a tree as a daily habit. This may be a local park, a forest trail, or a view with trees that overlook the ocean.
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Embrace cold water. Take a cold shower or take a swim in cold water. You could also get a portable hot tub and turn it into a cold tub. Use cold water therapy not just when you are injured, but as a way of waking up more joy.
Nature holds miracles that can encourage healing. Take a moment to write down steps that you can take in your own life to integrate grounding, trees and cold water therapy if you would like to experience more ease with natural approaches to health.
About the Author
Dawn Furk is the CEO of DMF Designs and Natureworks by Dawn Furk. Natureworks Design LLC was 2014 and it began in the construction and design industry, where our passion for a healthier lifestyle was ignited by the prevalent use of harmful chemicals. We recognized the urgent need for change, addressing VOCs, formaldehyde, and corrosive compounds in everyday products. This initial spark has grown into a comprehensive commitment to well-being, encompassing holistic health, spiritual wellness, and exceptional design. Through thoughtful curation and partnerships with industry leaders, we've become the premier ecommerce destination for top-tier natural products, ensuring accessibility for all. Your health and happiness are our foremost concerns, and we're here to empower you on your path to a healthier, more fulfilling life. We've carefully selected brands and products that share our commitment to making a positive impact in the world, and we're excited to share them with you. Go here for more!