The brain is an amazing and miraculous living organism, capable of the most profound and awesome acts, yet it can be easily distracted and rewired over time. Even to the point of sending signals from an event that no longer is valid, such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorders, etc. It can misinterpret signals or send false ones. But, as advanced and intricate as its abilities are, we can learn to disrupt signals by distractions or even something as simple as crossing one hand to the other side or tapping.
Stressed and overwhelmed, the brain can become obsessed with only two reactions – fight or flight. When we aren’t facing a life-threatening situation, creating calm can help it to see other options are possible.
Past posts have discussed a variety of ways to make this happen:
- Deep breathing
- Guided imagery
- Visualization
- Distractions
- Music
- Artwork
- Scents
- Socializing
- Exercise
Now let’s talk about grounding exercises.
Chinese medicine, Aboriginal cultures and Indigenous societies have known the benefits for thousands of years. In the 1800’s, scientists recommended walking barefoot to gain health benefits. The actual practice was introduced by “body psychotherapists” in the 1900’s. It was the ability to “keep your feet on the ground” or get “down to earth” when life was spiraling out of control. A way to stay in the moment, ignore extraneous concerns and deal with the here and now.
Research has shown it normalizes day- night cortisol rhythms, stopping chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system and activating the more calming parasympathetic system. One study showed direct physical contact via our feet on the ground for 2 hours changed the electrical charge on red blood cells and kept them from clumping. This simultaneously reduced blood viscosity and inflammation. Another study showed by medical imaging, a remarkable reduction in inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and white blood cells when used with exercising to decrease delayed onset muscle soreness.
Literal grounding through direct connection with the earth has shown dramatic effects. The Earth appears to be the original anti- inflammatory. Technological advances have driven most of us indoors, no longer forced to grow our own food or work in the fields. Studies hypothesize the planet is a natural pain killer. We’ve all heard of free radicals– positively charged molecules that strip electrons from healthy tissue, causing damage. Every cell produces billions of free radicals a day. When we are physically connected to the earth by gardening, playing in a field, or walking barefoot in the park, free electrons are thought to enter the body and neutralize those free radicals, boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation.
One study proved this through medical thermal imaging that registered changes before and after grounding.
These thermal images, of a patient with pain in the area of both knees, were taken a half-hour apart − before (left) and after Earthing (right). Tissue damage generates heat, represented by the hot colors on the left. The difference shows a clear and rapid resolution of inflammation. It’s probably why those who advocate getting back to nature by camping and communing with the great outdoors are hooked. They understand the healing powers Mother Earth provides.
Grounding appears to be one of the simplest and yet profound interventions to:
Improve mood.
Improve blood flow.
Improve immune system function.
Reduce pain.
Improve sleep.
Decrease inflammation.
Decrease cardiovascular risk.
Reduce muscle soreness.
Improve wound healing.
Improve function and decrease fatigue.
It’s a harmless and simple intervention that can be used anytime, anywhere to enhance our health and quality of life.
For those of us suffering from chronic pain it can be a wonderful way to stop the never-ending cycle of anxiety, fear, pain and reduce the fight or flight hormones surging throughout us every day. Grounding techniques pull us back to the here and now, helping us to focus on what can be done to release both emotional and physical tensions. They tell our brain there’s no threat, “we’re ok, safe.”
Not interested in sleeping on the ground or gardening? There are other ways to derive the benefits of grounding. Whether it’s by physical or mental means learning different grounding techniques is well worth the effort.
Tune in next week for specific ways to do just that.
–https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830719305476
-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830719305476?via%3Dihub
-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830718302519?via%3Dihub
-https://www.verywellhealth.com/grounding-7494652
I agree and I have a grounding pad on my bed under my bed sheet. I have a book by the creator of the pads too. Annette AuBuchon