Grounding: How to Turn That Frown Upside Down

April has been designated as Stress Awareness Month. The intent of this global month-long event is to improve understanding of the causes and symptoms of stress, as well the importance of prioritizing stress relief and mitigation as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes generous levels of mental self-care. Also observed this month is Earth Day. Today we cover a topic that aligns to both of these important focus areas. It’s a way to connect with the earth to naturally reduce our stress. It’s called grounding.

All About Grounding

It’s always a good thing to have a variety of stress reduction and wellness strategies in our back pocket for when things get tough.

Since there is a close connection between physical well-being and mental health, we often find new techniques at the nexus of those two things.

Grounding is one of those strategies that helps us feel better in both of these very different ways.

Grounding: The Science

Scientists have known for a long time that spending time in nature is good for us. 

But until recently, they didn’t know that there is a special kind of magic that happens when we come in direct or close contact with the earth. 

Whether it’s walking barefoot, or gardening with bare hands, or just sitting in the grass, it’s all powerfully good stuff.

Grounding has special powers that have a significant impact on our well-being.

For me, this may partially explain why everything seems to feel worse in the winter.  Maybe it’s not just that my arthritis flairs and there’s less sunshine. Maybe it’s possibly also at least in part due to the fact that I’m rarely, if ever, in direct contact with the earth during late fall, winter and early spring.

Touching the Earth Just Feels Good

For me, there is no feeling like walking on the sand barefoot. And there is also no feeling like handling soil and planting. 

Especially when I don’t wear gloves and get good and dirty. Like up to the elbows, dirty. 

Grass stains on my pants, and maybe even rip a hole or two in my jeans, dirty. 

I never knew why I liked getting dirty so much. 

But now it makes more sense. And it also helps explain why I sometimes struggle the maintain my mental health during the winter months.

More Science Behind Grounding

As I understand it, the earth emits a negative charge. 

The negative charge the earth emits has the same effect on us as what are now known as “antioxidants”. 

You hear a lot about the benefits of these lately. 

But until recently I never heard that you could get the same benefit by picking up handfuls of dirt.

The reason the negative charge the earth emits (and/or the consumption of antioxidants) is so good for us is because both help to neutralize “free radicals”- those electrons that are missing a charge to help them stay neutral. 

I probably just butchered the science on this, but hopefully you get the idea.

Anyway, the benefit of neutralizing the free radicals we carry are many.

They include helping us stay in tune with our natural Circadian rhythm, regulating our body temperature, maintaining normal digestive patterns, even keeping our blood pressure healthy and keeping our brains synchronized with day and night. 

All this stuff helps us to feel good and, in general, helps us to be happy.

In Prehistoric Times, We All Got Plenty of Grounding Time

Early man came in contact with the earth constantly. 

There were no shoes or gloves, or even clothing to separate him from the elements. 

He received the natural benefit of being one with the earth without even trying, but today, we have to be more conscious about seeking it out. 

So, let’s try to find some time this week to act more like cavemen and cavewomen.

Or … maybe take off your shoes just to run to the mailbox?

If you’re lucky and you’re in a warmer climate, find a puddle and jump in it. 

Or pack up a picnic and sit in the grass and enjoy it. 

Is It Too Cold Where You Are?

How about picking up some potting soil and potting some indoor plants? Or spending some extra time in a nursery and enjoy the touch and feel of trees, bushes and shrubs, eagerly awaiting the spring planting.

If it’s truly winter where you are, maybe just bundle the heck up and ride a sled or snow board (be sure to wipe out often), ski, or just have a snowball fight.  Get your kids in on this too. (And no electronics allowed!). 

Who knows what part of that experience will make you feel the best – and who cares?

Just have some fun with this.

If you enjoyed this article, you’ll also love: Sound Bathing: How to Use It to Transform Your Life.

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KindCompassCoach

Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years as a consultant. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate coaching and leadership, including mentoring early and mid-career professionals as well as current and future executives and leaders. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from relevant experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.