Grounding Rituals: A New Age-Old Way to Connect

Getting grounded. In our adolescence we considered grounding a form of punishment (likely a result of rebellious behavior). As adults, we revel in it—once we understand this holistic concept and the wellbeing impacts behind it, that is. But what exactly is the practice of grounding rituals? And does it actually offer benefits to our physical and mental state? We explain all the dirt.

What is Grounding?

The practice of grounding “relies on earthing science and grounding physics to explain how electric charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body.” Put simply, grounding, or earthing, is “a therapeutic technique that focuses on realigning your electrical energy by reconnecting to the earth.”[1]

It’s not exactly a recent fad—our ancestors frequently accessed the earth’s energy via walking barefoot and sleeping on/close to the ground. However, research suggesting the correlation between grounding and health/wellness is quite new.

Benefits of Grounding Rituals

Speaking of research, existing studies on grounding rituals are small in scale (with much of them based on anecdotal data), though some results indicate spending as little as 30 minutes daily reconnecting to the earth may show improvement for:

• Chronic pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Inflammation
• Anxiety/stress
• Cardiovascular health
• Sleep disorders

While more exploration needs to be completed, the practice of grounding, overall, appears beneficial (not to mention easy and inexpensive).

Grounding on Earth

Feel the earth’s electrons by:

• Walking barefoot on all types of natural surfaces (grass, sand, soil, etc.)
• Sitting/standing/lying on soil, grass, concrete, sand
• Digging your toes in sand
• Exercising outdoors with your bare feet planted on the ground (as opposed to an exercise mat or the like)

Grounding by Sea

Yes, submersing yourself in water, counts as a grounding ritual:

• Swimming or wading safely in bodies of water: lakes, oceans/seas, streams
• Standing on or feeling the sensation of smooth river stones or slimy rocks of the water bed
• Squishing your toes in the sand beneath the water

Grounding Indoors

When going outdoors isn’t an option, get innovative: Choose technological measures (again, safely), including earthing apparel and accessories:

• grounding blankets, bed sheets, bed pads
• grounding mats
• grounding body bands
• grounding socks
• grounding body patches

Where to Find Grounding Rituals

If you live in a crowded city, finding places to safely “ground” can be more challenging. However, spa resorts, wellness getaways and destination spas offer numerous opportunities to walk barefoot, swim or wade in natural bodies of water and dig your toes in the sand. Is the ocean your thing? Check out these Florida spa resorts featured in Spafinder’s “Girlfriend’s Getaways Alert.”Or if you’re a mountains kind of gal, escape to Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa in upstate New York.  Plus, find more top spa and wellness resorts at Spafinder.com.

Need a gift for a special occasion or just to say Thank You? Spafinder is the answer.

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[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding