WHAT IS GROUNDING?

The term grounding, or grounded, is used in electrical engineering and refers to the practice of connecting an electrical circuit to Earth, to provide a safe path for excess current. Regulations require as standard practice that all electrical equipment and systems are grounded. But what about the human body?

Everything about the human body is inherently electrical. Our nervous system, for example, is an entire network that transmits information from the brain to the body. Neurons, electrical signals, are used to receive, process, and transmit information. This is probably not too surprising, but what is "shocking" is that most people do not have a grounding practice.

So, what is a grounding practice?

Breathing exercises, prayer, meditation, and yoga are great practices that can help calm the mind and establish a sense of stability. It can be as easy as visualizing yourself connected to the Earth. Imagining you are a tree, with roots digging deep into the ground and keeping you steady. Spiritual grounding practices are all about recognizing ,and connecting, to something bigger than yourself—supporting your own wellbeing.

Sensory grounding is all about taking in the present moment or stopping to smell the roses. The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is often associated with this grounding practice— 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste. While this technique is commonly used to regain oneself in a panic disorder, or while experiencing overwhelming emotions, it can be a simple practice easily added to a daily routine. Something as simple as taking the time to smell that cup of coffee, feel the warmth of the mug in your palms, and watch the sunrise as you take that first sip, can offer a small moment of calm in a cup.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate physical grounding practices into your life is by spending time outdoors. Walking in the grass barefoot, gardening, or laying on the beach are all simple effective ways to put your body in contact with the Earth. Studies show that “Grounding appears to improve sleep, normalize the day–night cortisol rhythm, reduce pain, reduce stress, shift the autonomic nervous system from sympathetic toward parasympathetic activation, increase heart rate variability, speed wound healing, and reduce blood viscosity.”1 So today, enjoy a nice walk on the beach, go outside. Maybe even hug a tree, after all it’s good for you!

1 Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/#:~:text=Grounding%20appears%20to%20improve%20sleep,healing%2C%20and%20reduce%20blood%20viscosity.