We all know the sun provides us with energy that is crucial to our health. Besides Vitamin D, there’s something irreplaceable about soaking up the warm rays of the sun.

But did you know that the Earth too has it’s own energy it provides us with?

Ever notice how when you go to the beach, your first instinct is to take off your shoes and stick your feet in the sand? This is because we literally get charged up like a battery from the Earth’s energy.

This is called ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’.

The science behind this is that due to the electrical differences between the upper atmosphere and the ground, and lightning, the Earth is a natural source of electrons and when you walk barefoot on the ground, there’s a transfer of these free electrons from the Earth into your body. The result is feeling absolutely fantastic.

Are you familiar with free radicals?

Basically, free radicals are unbalanced molecules that are missing an electron. Free radicals in the body often results in inflammation and bodily aches and pains.

And by grounding you flood your body with extra electrons to eliminate these free radicals, much like the antioxidants do in the foods we eat, like vitamin C from berries and astaxanthin from salmon.

Throughout history we were mostly grounded. Up until 50 years ago, most shoes were made of real leather, which still allowed us to ground. Now our shoes are made of synthetic rubber and unnatural materials which prevent us from grounding.

We live in houses that are made from carpet, vinyl, tile, wood, marble. Even though some of these materials, like wood, are natural, they are insulators not conduits, so they cut us off from the Earths energy.

Many of us go days, even years, without connecting to the ground and as a result we feel tired, achey, and rundown.

Think about it, when was the last time you were barefoot outside?

Especially in the winter months when we need it the most.

So next time you find yourself outside and have a moment to spare, give yourself just 2 minutes of barefoot contact with the ground. Most effective grounding is done on moist ground, so the morning dew on the grass, or the wet sand at the beach, you can even ground on concrete (but not asphalt or wood).

Many report a reduction of inflammation, pain, and stress. Improve sleep, speedier recovery from injury, improved cardiovascular health, boosted energy levels and a feeling of overall well-being

Try it out, spend a couple minutes a day ‘grounding’ for 1 week and see how you feel. What do you have to lose? After all its absolutely free.