“Touch your soles with the soul of this Earth and feel her magic”
– Anonymous
Many of us spend the majority of our time indoors, separated from the earth by layers of concrete, wood, and synthetic materials. This lifestyle leads to a ‘grounding deficiency.’ However, it is easily remedied by a grounding practice, but first we need to be able to identify when we are ungrounded. Below are five signs to look for.
You are ungrounded when:
Your mind is racing and can’t focus on what you need to do.
You are easily distracted and avoid tasks and looping thoughts.
You are tired yet wired at the same time.
You find it difficult to complete projects and you jump from one thing to another.
You feel restless and discontent with your surroundings, yourself, and the people around you.
If you are experiencing any of these signs you are not alone. Everyone becomes ungrounded at times. It is not a matter of if, but when.
How We Become Ungrounded?
As humans we are electrical beings. Our bodies have electrons. However, free radicals steal our electrons and disrupt our electrical system. Free radicals come from pollution, smoke, pesticides, fried food, and radiation. We spend hours bathing in electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from electronic devices, cell phones, and laptops causing us to be ungrounded.
What is Grounding?
Grounding focuses on realigning your electrical energy by touching the ground barefoot. The Earth’s surface carries electrons so when we make direct skin contact with it, electrons flow into our bodies and spreads throughout the tissues. The grounding process neutralizes free radicals. Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman discovered that, when grounded, our body becomes an extension of the Earth’s gigantic electric system and a “working agent that cancels, reduces, or pushes away electric fields from the body.”
Scientific Proven Benefits
The scientific research in “Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons” (Journal of Environmental and Public Health January 12, 2012, Page 1) showed that the anti-inflammatory effects of grounding through the transfer of electrons improved human health. Benefits included improved immune function, improved circulation, increased energy, better sleep, pain and stress relief, and faster workout recovery.
Ancient History
Grounding is not some “new age” fad. It’s found in Ayurvedic teachings from over 5,000 years ago. Traditional Chinese medicine, which is over 2,500 years old, practices earthing or grounding qi to balance and harmonize the body’s energy. “For the most part, Native Americans of the southern regions and the temperate regions of the north preferred to go barefoot, even in the snow.” – Encyclopedia.com
Grounding and Coherent Brainwaves
The electromagnetic field of the earth is 7.8 Hz which is also the same as the brainwave frequency of alpha-theta, which is known as the flow state. This allows us to function at optimum efficiency and coherence. These brainwaves are associated with insight, intuition, and inner peace. As a matter of fact, Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was known for walking barefoot at school, work, and many of his meetings. He believed his most creative ideas arrived when walking barefoot. Considering how the world is forever changed by his contributions, he might have been onto something.
The Brain Waves of Healers
For a decade, Robert Beck researched the brain wave activity of healers from all cultures and religious backgrounds. He enumerates psychics, shamans, dowsers, Christian healers, seers, ESP readers, kahuna, Santeria, Wicca practitioners, and others. Independent of their belief systems, each exhibited ‘nearly identical EEG signatures’ during their ‘healing’ moments. The 7.8-8Hz alpha-theta brainwaves lasted from one to several seconds and synchronized with the earth’s geoelectric micropulsations. – Lian Sidorov
My Story
As a child, I was happiest during summers and weekends when I played barefoot outside. When indoors for too long, I became either agitated or depressed. Years later, when I adopted a vegan lifestyle, family members called me a “hippie tree hugger.” I didn’t understand why people hugged trees. I lacked understanding and judged it as something only “weirdos” did. I swept it out of my mind. However, this topic continued to be brought to my attention.
For example, a nature-loving friend of mine told me a story of a grounding practice used when kids were misbehaving. Whenever children acted out with hyperactive and disruptive behavior, they were instructed to go outside, dig a hole, and fill it up with water. They were to sit with their feet in the muddy water for twenty minutes or so. This calmed them down and their behavior improved.
After performing massages on certain clients, I experienced dizziness and an “off” feeling. I asked my instructor why this was happening and what I needed to do about it. She asked me if I wore shoes while working. I did. She advised me to ground myself mentally and physically. It worked.
This subject arose yet again, years later when my daughter watched Earthing and Grounding. She told me the films were fascinating, but it wasn’t until I underwent healing CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) that I truly understood just how powerful grounding was.
Brain Waves For Healing Trauma and Mental Health
In order to heal traumatic memories, we need to be in alpha-theta brainwaves. In theta, memories can safely resurface. In alpha, the memories can be processed. The Earth’s pulse falls precisely where the alpha and theta brain waves meet. Grounding acts as a master entrainment signal that synchronizes the frequencies of the heart, brain, and emotions. This coherent state reverses hyperarousal patterns, so inner conflicts are resolved and well-being is re-established.
Grounding Demonstration
In his YouTube video “About grounding and why I don’t wear shoes anymore. We are electrical beings.” Adrian Kuiper demonstrates the difference in energy levels when grounded and ungrounded using a voltmeter. The device has two wires with pins at the end, one red, and one black. The black pin goes into the ground and he holds the red pin in his hand. Now, while wearing shoes, the voltmeter reads about 1 volt. However, when he takes off his shoes and stands barefoot, the voltmeter reading increases to 55-65 volts demonstrating a dramatic difference.
When to Ground
Ground after emotionally charged situations, at work, school, or in personal relationships. When you’re stressed and overwhelmed, it helps regain focus and composure and helps you feel more stable and present. Ground after using electronic devices because it creates electrical coherence in the brain and body. Ground after traveling because it helps readjust your body to overcome jet lag. Grounding is great before meditation because it enhances its effectiveness. It’s also excellent to do before sleep as it improves the quality of rest.
The Difference Between Grounding and Earthing
These are similar and yet different. Earthing is being connected via direct barefoot contact and grounding is being connected via grounding wires or products such as mats, shoes, and pads.
How to Ground
When you are outdoors walk barefoot on grass, soil, or sand. Swim in the ocean, soak in mineral hot springs, or play in a saltwater pool. When you are indoors, consider using grounding products such as mats, sheets, blankets, and grounding socks. You can even make your own grounding shoes. Go the extra mile, by creating an electronic-free bedroom. We spend many hours in our bedroom sleeping. It’s a great idea to reduce electrical interference from electric blankets and heaters, fluorescent lights, light dimmers, cell phones, computers, televisions, transformers, and Wi-Fi modems. If that doesn’t work for you, simply purchase an EMF bed canopy that is made from a fabric that shields against electromagnetic frequencies.
Understanding the power of grounding has deepened my love for the outdoors and provided me with the scientific answers to why I am happiest in nature. It’s an essential part of my life. I incorporate it into my work routine by spending five minutes outside on the earth between work sessions. This gentle recharge provides me with stamina, while caffeine just can’t compete.
Take Inspired Action
Perform a grounding practice for the next thirty days by spending twenty minutes outside enjoying the sun and fresh air. See if you notice your mind becoming clearer, feeling more peaceful, and grounded in life.
If you are experiencing low energy and are mentally exhausted, you can balance yourself by syncing your energy rhythms. Syncing the rhythms that apply to you allows for optimal energy, helping you become more effective and efficient in life. The three rhythms are infradian, circadian, and ultradian. We all run on circadian and ultradian rhythms, but if you are a woman who ovulates, you also have an infradian rhythm.
Three Signs of Being Out of Sync
disrupted sleep, digestion, and mood
inability to focus, mental exhaustion, and low energy
confusion with changing mental, emotional, and physiological needs
Consequences
Working against our natural rhythms imbalances our hormones leading to PMS, weight gain, and chronic ailments. Being out of sync can make us feel creatively stuck and miss out on our most productive timeframes. It also affects learning and retention. It leads to emotional dysregulation and strained relationships.
Circadian Rhythm
A circadian rhythm is the sleep-wake rhythm in a 24 hour cycle creating physical, mental, and behavioral changes.
Ultradian Rhythm
Ultradian rhythms are rest-activity cycles that move throughout the day in 90-120-minute cycles. Physiological changes in heart rate, hormonal levels, muscle tension, and brain-wave activity all increase during the first part of the cycle—and so does alertness. Between 90-120 minutes the physiological measures decline signaling the body and mind to rest and recover.
Infradian Rhythm
The most well-known example of an infradian rhythm is the menstrual cycle in women which typically lasts around 28 days. This four part biological cycle impacts physical and mental health.
My Personal Story
I’ve been great with being in sync with my circadian rhythm, but I was not familiar with my infradian rhythms. I struggled trying to keep the same routine consistently day in and day out, over the course of the month. When I couldn’t, I thought something was wrong with me. Why can’t I keep it together? I tried to force myself to have energy when I didn’t. I struggled to go uphill when my body was designed to go downhill and vice versa. I assumed I wasn’t disciplined enough and felt ashamed. I was unaware of the energy that shifts over the course of the month. I thought I needed to just try harder but was unsuccessful. Knowing how to harness the energy of the four phases could have saved me so much time, energy, and unnecessary frustration.
Once I started working full-time, I noticed burnout and exhaustion at the end of a long day. Frequent breaks are not typically permitted in the American workplace. Breaks are short and few. Most people pushed through with caffeine.
As I learned about these three energy rhythms, I adjusted my lifestyle to work in harmony with my needs and experienced immediate results. For example, PMS and cramps disappeared. Instead of dreading my cycle, I fell in love with how the female body works and the gifts of each phase. When it came to my work, I was prepared for when I’d be the most creative, extroverted, or focused. I organized and batched out tasks best suited during certain times of the month. As a result, my productivity increased. I shared this information with the women in my life and they experienced great results as well. Here are three ways to start syncing now.
How to Sync Up with Your Infradian Rhythm
Start by tracking your menstrual cycle to understand the length and timing of each phase (menstruation, follicular, ovulation, luteal).
Observe how your energy levels, mood, and physical well-being vary during each phase.
Design a routine that aligns with your energy levels and emotional state for each phase of your cycle. For example, in the menstruation phase, physical energy is decreased and rest is a priority. However, brain activity is higher allowing for enhanced processing of information. During the follicular phase, the brain is great at idea generation and planning but struggles with lengthy focus. The body performs peak cardiovascular abilities during this phase. In ovulation, communication and conflict resolution skills are enhanced while the body craves high-intensity exercise. In the luteal phase, the mind and body experience a long steady flow of energy ideal for the completion of tedious tasks, projects, and strength training.
Be flexible and adapt your schedule as needed to accommodate your changing needs.
Check out the book In the Flow by Alissa Vitti for more in-depth information about this topic.
How to Sync up with Your Circadian Rhythms
Go to bed and wake the same time every day, even on weekends. Consistency helps regulate your body’s internal clock.
During the day, spend time outdoors or open curtains to expose yourself to natural sunlight. Light exposure signals your body that it’s daytime and supports a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Limit the intake of caffeine and other stimulants in the hours leading up to bedtime, as they can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
Avoid long late-afternoon naps.
Avoid intense exercise three hours before bedtime.
Avoid heavy or spicy meals three hours before bedtime.
In the evening and before bedtime, minimize exposure to electronic screens and bright artificial lights. These can disrupt your body’s production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Before bed, practice meditation, deep breathing, or gentle stretches to relax and promote better sleep.
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, and invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows.
How to Sync up with Your Ultradian Rhythms
Set a timer for 60-120 minutes. Notice how much time it takes before your concentration and energy begin to falter, signaling you’re hitting a low point in the ultradian rhythm.
If your energy and concentration decrease before sixty minutes, use the Pomodoro method consisting of 25 minutes of activity followed by five minutes of rest. This is great for beginners. In time, energy and focus will increase. This method prevents burnout and maximum performance.
If your energy and concentration decrease before ninety minutes, set the timer to take a ten-minute break every sixty minutes. This is the most commonly practiced method.
If your energy and concentration are still going strong after ninety minutes, take a twenty-minute rest every two hours. Go for a short walk, nap, or simply close your eyes and focus on breathwork. The goal is to let your brain turn off.
Take Inspired Action
If this information resonates with you, consider syncing up your three energy rhythms. It will take practice to get familiar with tuning into your body’s rhythms, but you’ll enjoy how stable your energy levels become and how your concentration improves when you apply the methods above.
Years ago, I worked with a remarkable woman who had spent more than 28 years in a wheelchair. Her story was heart-wrenching; she had been a pedestrian hit by a drunk driver, causing severe damage to the entire left side of her body, including her arm, leg, ribs, intestines, and skull. Enduring numerous surgeries, even having ligaments in her fingers and toes clipped to uncurl them from the trauma. After nine months in a coma, she faced a life confined to a wheelchair and bed. My role was to provide massages to alleviate her pain.
As I massaged her week after week, I could sense her frustration. One day, I asked her, “What do you want?” Her response shattered my heart; she said, “I want to walk.” At that moment, I was 30 years old, and realized that she had spent almost my entire life in a wheelchair. While I, too, desired that for her, I didn’t know if it was possible.
Unexpectedly, I found myself saying, “I’ll help you walk. What do you want to do when you can walk?” She told me about her desire to go to the casino on her birthday, which had just passed. Determined to make her dream a reality, I promised her we would go next year, not in a wheelchair but walking. It was a spontaneous utterance, but I had an unexplained certainty in my heart.
My approach was to take it one step at a time, similar to how a baby learns to move. We started with her on the floor on her stomach, practicing lifting her head. Then, we worked on rolling over and eventually sitting upright. Gradually, her strength improved, little by little.
A year later, on her birthday, we went to the casino as promised. I assisted her as she walked to the car, sat in an actual seat, and stumbled into the casino. She played the slot machines until exhaustion, and that day, I cried in amazement. She showed me the incredible possibilities of the human body and mind. She begged to do the things we often take for granted. Her determination proved that healing is possible when you truly desire it. She taught me to cherish the ability to move, to walk. I hadn’t known if she would walk again, but I witnessed a miracle firsthand.
We’re not meant to stay in a chronic state of pain weakness and disease. If we are patient and consistent, we can heal. Here are three ways you can start to heal your body.
Start a daily 15-minute yoga practice and increase the time and intensity as you go.
Book a massage at least once a month.
Schedule physical therapy sessions twice a week (insurance often covers this).
Be patient and give yourself a year of consistent effort. If you are interested in doing yoga with me, feel free to let me know.
If you are running through life feeling overwhelmed and not really making the impact you know you want, or wishing you felt alive and filled with passion then you are going to LOVE me!
