Grounding: one with the earth

Grounden - Hippie or Revolutionary?

The term grounding is becoming increasingly popular. And for good reason. More and more studies are emerging on the positive effects of grounding on health. We, and our clients, are amazed by the wonderful sensation; it can be almost addictive. It also makes you feel like shoes are a prison for your feet.

What exactly does grounding entail? It's essentially nothing more than barefoot contact with the earth. Natural water, sand, and rocks also work. While we might sound like hippies now (and it doesn't sound like sleep advice), we urge you to read on carefully... After all, we all want to take our health and sleep quality to the next level!

Why ground?

What actually happens is a kind of electron exchange. When you "ground," you pick up negative electrons from the earth. These neutralize your positively charged body. Why would you want that? Well, because we live in a world full of electromagnetic fields that, as it were, "charge" us, so it makes sense that we need to "discharge" occasionally. Think of things like appliances plugged into electrical outlets, electricity poles, and telephones. Electromagnetic radiation (EMF) is quite a thing, but we'll delve into it in more detail in this blog post about EMF . It might sound a bit vague, but there's now a lot of scientific evidence to support it. When you "ground," you absorb those negative electrons, which neutralize the positive ones in your body. It's a bit like antioxidants in food that neutralize free radicals (harmful substances). By neutralizing that positive charge, we experience less inflammation in our bodies. And inflammation is actually the root cause of almost every disease. So, "grounding" is essentially a free and calorie-free source of antioxidants.

Watch the following video to clearly see electron transfer during grounding: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/swdVPOBLYP

We weren't born 100,000 years ago wearing Nike Air Max shoes. We were born barefoot. It seems perfectly logical that we should be connected to the source of life: the earth. Synthetic rubber was invented in 1960 and quickly became the standard in most shoes. However, this material isn't conductive. This prevents us from discharging our energy... and this creates problems, for example, with our sleep quality.

How does Grounding work?

Chemical reactions involving electrical charges are constantly occurring in our bodies. Some of these reactions can lead to the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron, making them highly reactive and easily reacting with other molecules in the body. This causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation causes stress, both physically and mentally. A natural response of the body is to produce cortisol when inflammation occurs. Grounding reduces inflammation and therefore reduces stress. It's common knowledge that stress is detrimental to sleep. Want to know all the details about stress? Then click here . This means that grounding can offer a way out of stress and help you get a good night's sleep!

Origin of Grounden

The concept isn't new, but the practice has reemerged in importance in modern times due to its many benefits. The history of grounding dates back to ancient times, when people walked barefoot and connected directly with the earth. In ancient cultures, the earth was considered sacred, and contact with the ground was highly valued. In the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, for example, walking on grass was highly valued as part of daily health practices. But there are many more examples throughout history of peoples who wore grounded shoes. Often, the shoe had copper in it and a copper piece connected to the earth. Did they know more than we think?

Improve Biorhythm

By connecting with the earth, we can balance our circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is our internal clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle and helps us maintain a normal sleep pattern. Exposure to natural light during the day and darkness at night helps maintain this rhythm. Grounding can also help with this, as it puts our body in a state of relaxation and allows us to sleep better. A better internal clock leads to a deeper night's sleep. Through contact with the earth, our internal clock resets and becomes more attuned to the environment. That's why grounding can also help with things like jet lag... But that's a topic for the blog about Bio-Rhythms . (PMID: 22291721 )

Here you can see what four nights of grounded sleep can do for a person. Bizarre! It's clear that inflammation has decreased significantly.

What is the best way to ground?

The most common technique is simply standing barefoot in the grass. Twenty to thirty minutes a day is enough to absorb all the necessary electrons and rebalance the body. Grass is one of the best ways to ground, as everyone has access to grass within a five-minute walk. Note: artificial grass is not a good conductor and will therefore be ineffective.

Rocks can also be used for grounding, especially those that are naturally electrically charged, such as granite or quartz. Walking on rocks is therefore also a good form of grounding. It's best if the rocks are slightly damp; that way, conduction takes place better. (Hopefully, you paid attention in physics and chemistry class 😉 )

However, there's nothing better than the sea. It's where electrons are most easily absorbed and the body neutralizes. Moreover, the sea is good for the skin and provides (a lot of) magnesium. It contains over 70 minerals that the body can absorb during a dip in the sea. In short, it kills several birds with one stone.

We understand that it's not pleasant to go into the water or put your feet in the grass in winter. Three options: Do it anyway, go to a warm country in winter, and use a grounding sheet?!

A solution for everything

Grounding, earthing sheets... you're probably wondering what this hippie is all about. But this earthing sheet can make a huge difference in your sleep. These mats are made of conductive material and can be connected to a grounding point or grounded outlet. When a person touches the mat, it allows them to ground themselves and absorb electrons. Many people are afraid of this, since the mat is connected to the outlet. However, apart from contact with the grounding pins, there is no contact with the electrical system. So there is no risk of electric shock. In fact, if you somehow receive an electric shock while lying on the mat, this energy will be transferred through the outlet to the ground. The mat is therefore completely safe. (PMID: 36672565)

So, the grounding mat is the solution! Time-saving? Check! You can use it while you sleep. Efficient? Double check! Sleeping grounded means reducing stress and addressing inflammation for a third of your life. So, while you're getting your beauty sleep, the grounding mat is working behind the scenes to lower your stress levels. Sleep well and wake up feeling less stressed!

The Alina grounding sheet is designed to fit around a double bed. We're seeing more and more grounding sheets on the market, but these are loose mats. We used them in the past as well. However, this isn't an option, especially for the rough sleepers among us. That's why we now have a grounding cover that won't easily move.

Conclusion

By connecting with the earth, we can balance our circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is our internal clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle and helps us maintain a normal sleep pattern. Exposure to natural light during the day and darkness at night helps maintain this rhythm. Grounding can also help with this, as it puts our bodies in a relaxed state and allows us to sleep better. Contact with the earth resets our sleep pattern, reducing disruptions to our sleep pattern and reducing jet lag. Grounding provides information about your time zone.

All in all, grounding is an ancient practice that can help us balance our bodies and connect with the earth's natural energy. It can help us balance our circadian rhythm and reduce inflammation. It's a simple way to relax our body and mind, leading to a great night's sleep!

In the documentary about Clint Ober's discovery of earthing, you'll hear about a study he conducted in collaboration with an anesthesiologist, grounding 60 people with various ailments and complaints. This documentary can clear up any confusion surrounding grounding. We recommend watching the documentary to get a better understanding. Reading it like this can seem a bit vague and vague. If you have any questions, we're always available and happy to help. Looking for a grounding routine? We'd be happy to help. Because there's no such thing as no time, just no priority.

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