That's It, You’re Grounded!
Spring has finally sprung here in Montana and, with the exception of the usual late spring snowstorms, we can finally celebrate the return of dirty toes. That may seem like a silly thing to look forward to, but it's one of our most favorite moments of the year. As we say our goodbyes to winter and celebrate the return of spring something deep in the soul begins to wake up, calling us back into the wilderness. As soon as the landscape starts to shift from white to green, you can bet we’ll be out there with our fingers and toes in the dirt, taking a moment to be still. To simply be. To breathe in the spring air, recharge the soul, and ready ourselves for a season full of adventures. But this practice goes beyond simple feel-good vibes. Scientists are beginning to understand the process of grounding and it's fascinating. While research is still in early phases, many people have found this to be an effective practice for treating chronic fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and even cardiovascular disease!
But what exactly is happening? A recent article on Healthline.com summarizes: “Grounding, also called earthing, is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. This practice relies on earthing science and grounding physics to explain how electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body.“ (para. 1-2) It’s a simple practice. Just like plugging your phone into the outlet, we can plug ourselves into the great energy source beneath our feet. This can be done by simply going outside barefoot, gardening, laying in the grass, or going for a dip in the local river or lake. We are creatures of the earth, it should make sense that intentionally coming home to it for a moment would be so good for us. The modern world engulfs us in stress and chaos, and we often find ourselves living most of our lives inside our homes, office buildings, and cars. But there is so much more out there, and connecting to it may be the key to healing ourselves from the outside in, and the inside out. So get out there! Go for a walk in the woods. Lay in the grass. Go fishing, camping, or swimming. Plant a garden, or just step outside and dig your fingers and toes in the dirt.
This is the heartbeat that drives us at Ignite Candle Co. , and while our mission and focus typically revolves around connecting kids with nature, we’d love to see the adults getting out there too. After all, they’re looking at all of us to show them the way.
Reference:
Healthline. (2019, August 30). Grounding: Exploring Earthing Science and the Benefits Behind It. https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#the-science