Is Grounding the Missing Link to Better Health and Wellbeing?

Have you noticed that when you are outside in nature you feel calmer? Have you noticed how a beach vacation is soothing for your entire being? You might even state it is giving you more energy. There is nothing like a long swim in the ocean, or a hike in the woods when it comes to recharging and realigning a stressed body and mind. The interesting thing is, there is a perfectly logical explanation to why it feels like that.

You see, the sand and ocean water are both naturally conductive materials, meaning when you connect your whole body connects. It grounds our energy — our electric charge — and removes excess positive electrons, and THAT is the key to this practice.

Let me show you just why we all need some extra “vitamin sea”, and a hug from a large pine tree.

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My passion for grounding/earthing is deeply rooted, together with my love for nature. On my own healing journey, I have found that being grounded is more than important. I studied grounding sheets and mats, and I even slept on a grounding sheet for years. I have shielded my computers and telephone with EMF protectors. I have consciously done what I have found best to let me live in this crazy electromagnetic noise with the least amount of negative impact. But, and this is a huge but; There is nothing that will do what nature does for us. There is nothing that will reset our cells and clear our energies as a barefoot walk and a tree hug will, so get ready to lose your shoes and socks!

Grounding is one of the most fundamental things we can do for our health and wellbeing. One can be grounded physically or spiritually, and both are important.

What does it mean, to be grounded?

Being physically grounded simply means to have direct skin contact with Mother Earth. That is all. Be it a tree, the ground or the ocean, by connecting directly we are grounded. We can walk barefoot on the beach, in the grass or anywhere it is safe to walk without shoes. A swim in a lake, a river or the ocean is like embracing the earth with our whole being. Our bodies are meant to come into contact with Earth on a regular basis.

We are suffering from being around electromagnetic waves, Wi-Fi and mobile phone waves, and many of us have a high amount of positive electrons built up in our bodies. Take a walk on the wild side and take an electrical load-off.

Throughout history, humans have spent time outdoors and connected with the soil. Today we are separated through shoes and high-rises. From walking on the ground barefoot, to gardening and digging in the soil, humans have always touched the earth. Now, the Western world has moved away from nature in so many ways. We live in houses, wear rubber shoes, are exposed to EMPF’s, eat chemicals and genetically modified foods, and drink un-pure water.

Grounding is simply putting yourself in the environment in which you were designed to be. Simplicity is a common rule for success.

Let us look very simply about how grounding balances and recharges the human body:

There is much more to grounding that electrons and ions, of course. Much more than we know, and that is ok. We do not need to know, we can feel and sense how healing coming home to nature is. The earth is charged with negative electrons.

This can be a bit confusing, as the negative ions are what is positive for the body, and the positive ions are harmful. The ones that we want are outside in nature, where the negative ions are in abundance, especially around waterfalls, by the ocean and in the mountain forests. Wi-Fi modems and Wireless Internet routers use dangerous electromagnetic radiation to send their signals to your computer. All of us that are using these very typical devices are exposed to EMF radiation. This is most definitely a soup of positive ions, which in itself will need balancing from Mother Earth. We got rid of the microwave ovens, and we need to be more cautious about our inner electric charge.

The amazing thing is that these negative ions neutralize free radicals. They provide an antioxidant effect.

They enhance the immune function by being detoxifying, they purify the blood and they revitalize cell metabolism. On top of this, they are found to calm the sympathetic nervous system, which supports our heart rate variability. When we support heart rate variability, this in turn promotes homeostasis, or balance, in the autonomic nervous system. The negative ions are also told to clear the air of any airborne allergens like pollen, mold spores, viruses and bacteria. Nature really is perfect!

The negative ions simply attach themselves to the positive ions, making them too heavy for you to breathe in, so you are protected by negative ions.

In our polluted cities, industrial areas, in schools, in any crowded area like an airport or a shopping mall, you will find the highest concentration of unhealthy positive ions. We are electrical by nature and the positive electrons in the form of free radicals will easily build up in our bodies. Putting ourselves in direct contact with earth balances this out with its negative grounding charge. When we are constantly bombarded with positive ions, this becomes a must for good health. We simply need to balance out this energy, to promote healing and regeneration. Being balanced and grounded is one of our basic needs. To live as healthy individuals on this planet, we need to do what we can to find our balance.

We ground our appliances, and by putting our bare skin directly on the earth, we are physically grounding our bodies too. This will prevent the buildup of electricity in the body, and any obstruction and ill health that might arise down the road. In a healing situation, when the body is already weak and low in energy, being grounded gives the body a head-start and an upper hand.

Simply put:

Positive ions are associated with dis-ease and degeneration, over-acidity, immature aging and imbalance.
Negative ions are associated with healing, energy, vitality, youth, and regeneration.

Mother Earth is a limitless source of negative ions, the electrons and the energy that we need. They stream into the body when we are grounded. People experience less inflammation and more mental clarity after spending time outside in nature. The longer we stay outside, the more benefits we receive and experience. The Earth is alive and will never stop emanating the free electrons. Connect the skin of your body with the skin of the Earth, and the flow will not stop. By doing this, every day, the electrons restore, the positive/negative balances and a natural electrical state in the body is maintained. You now have a natural electrical state in your body. Every cell and organ in the body works electrically. We can think of the heart and the nervous system as great examples of that. We are fired up by this electric charge, and we will hurt when it is not balanced.

The best part is that it is free, it is available, and it is simple! By jumping in the ocean, taking off your shoes on the grass, touching a tree, or hugging it, you are performing this amazing health-promoting act, and you will have fun doing it! Watch your step if you are walking barefoot, to make sure you do not hurt yourself. If you are reluctant to walk, you can simply find a nice spot, and stand there for a while. You can even sit on a bench in a park with your shoes off. Try to do this for about 30 minutes every day. There are some earthing sheets to be purchased for indoor use, but nothing beats the real thing. The benefits of being outside are so many more than we can perceive. I am sure that you will notice a difference in your body from practicing grounding for a very short time. It doesn`t take much of the flooding of the balancing ions to make you feel better. Let the rubber soles go, and let those toes breathe! And yes, even if you are in a colder climate, like me (Norway), there is no excuse for not grounding yourself. During the winter, I even walk barefoot in the snow. Not for long and I am using caution, but still, very doable. One small step at a time, that is all you have to do.

I love standing by a tree. That way I can connect to the earth through my feet and the tree through my hands. Double power!

I am a very enthusiastic tree hugger and have found that trees are not only great huggers, but they are also wise and healing. Yes, they emanate this beautiful energy, this vibration that is very healing and grounding to the human body. Different trees have different frequencies, and in ancient cultures, tree hugging was a common healing practice. To be in sync with nature was natural and sacred. Everything vibrates, everything is literally vibration. Different vibrations affect biological behavior. That means that when one touches a tree or is in the general vicinity of a tree, its different vibrational pattern will affect various biological behaviors within our bodies. I am following an old tradition that has been observed all around the world. Maybe the day will come when doctors will prescribe a day in the forest to those in need of healing. Trees are natural processors that can help us transform our body’s sick or negative energy into positive, vital life-force energy. As we connect our energy with the tree, we facilitate our own physical and emotional healing.

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The Taoist theory is that because trees stand very still, they are better at absorbing the energy from the Earth and the energy from the Heavens. Trees and all other plants have the ability to absorb the light frequencies and transform them into physical food, and it is told they do the same with energetic food. Science is now presenting several studies on health benefits from hugging trees, but really all you have to do is try it. Go outside and find a tree that looks inviting. Ask it kindly if you can hug it, then embrace it and breathe deeply. I take my shoes off for some extra grounding. There is nothing like a great hug!

We have lost our contact with that which we are a part of and are suffering the consequences.

Grounding is nothing more than us, again, getting out of our own way. We need to stop what is hurting us and embrace what is not. By simply doing that, the body will do the rest. When something as simple as this becomes an obstacle, something that seems overwhelming, strange or crazy, we know how far we have wandered. We have kept walking on that path towards disaster for longer than we can remember, and the way back is completely forgotten. By simply re-connecting with where we came from, our senses will sharpen, and the memory will come back to us. We will remember the truth and feel the desire and the power to act on it. The key is always action, as without it there are no results. Every time we take a breath of air, which is absolutely vital for life, we are connected to the grander part or creation. I am humbled and in awe at how grand nature really is.

Leather-soles will also keep you grounded, and woolen socks straight onto the ground will do too. There are some specific grounding shoes to be found also, so you might want to look into that.

“The true level of healing that is accomplished is the level of awareness gained on the journey.” — Hilde

When we are walking barefoot, this will be a grounding surface:

Grass
Sand
Ceramic tile
Unpainted concrete brick
Stone
Bare soil
Wool
Cotton

This will NOT be a grounding surface:

Wood
Asphalt
Rubber
Plastic
Vinyl or any synthetic material
Indoors

On top of walking barefoot, hugging trees and swimming in the ocean, I know that eating the wild herbs and edibles will connect us even deeper to the healing power of nature. This is all so perfectly connected, and every bite, every step, every breath, all beautifully knitted together, simple and effortless.

Read more about how to get HEALTHY in my book, Know the Truth and Get Healthy: A Step By Step Guide to True Health and Vitality.

Recommended articles by Hilde Larsen:

About the author:

Hilde Larsen, known as ‘the one who Inspires’, is the CEO and founder of inspiredbyhilde.com. She is a certified Health and Mindset Coach, an Author, a Keynote Speaker, Detox Specialist, Raw food Teacher and Life-Enthusiast. Her glowing enthusiasm for health and vitality has the leading role in her work. Her interest in healing and spiritual growth also led her to become a Reiki Healer. She is highly intuitive and has a strong connection to Mother Earth and the spiritual world.

Hilde Larsen writes articles, and has her own blog and YouTube channel. She is the author of three published books: ‘From HELL to Inspired’, ‘Know the Truth and Get Healthy’, and ‘No More Bullshit’. She creates online video programs and has her own membership site, The Inspired Members.

Born and raised in Stavanger, Norway, she and her husband of 29 years have a second home in Florida, USA. She is a proud mother and grandmother, and a tree-hugger at heart. Called by nature and spirit, she is inspiring many to take back their power, and to live a healthy successful life doing what they love. Hilde now spends her time traveling between Norway and Florida, speaking, and appearing on different media as the Inspired health and thought leader. She is an authority in her field who has walked her talk. She also values the time with her clients, and her time in nature with her closest family and friends.

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What does it mean, to be grounded?

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