Antioxidants have been the poster child against free radicals for the past decade. Rather than popping vitamins, try something different: go barefoot.
Research shows that being in contact with the earth boosts our health. Its negative electrons can help people reduce free radicals in the body.
Free radicals are associated with all of the bad stuff: smoking, bad food, and other vices. What many people may not know is that exercising can also cause free radicals and oxidative stress. Free radicals are not necessarily bad. They are a natural by-product of chemical reactions. The key is neutralizing them.
What are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are basically highly reactive molecules that have unpaired electrons. They scavenge the body to search out these electrons and can damage the body’s cells, causing aging and ill health. They have been associated with inflammation, which has been linked to allergies, obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
When a free radical comes into contact with a negative electron, it binds, thus neutralizing it. Where do we get negative ions?
Benefits of Earthing
People used to live, work, and sleep near the ground. As we urbanize, this is no longer the case, except for during the odd camping trip for most urbanites.
When we are in contact with nature, we are often wearing insulating shoes such as rubber. Man-made materials do not allow for the free flow of electrons, magnifying our disconnection.
Nature is an abundant source of negative ions. Going barefoot connects us to the earth. This physical link gives us access to the earth’s energetic system. Her subtle energies also nourish our own systems.
When Clint Ober first introduced this idea in the 1990s, he was met with skepticism. Now, the word “earthing” or “grounding” is very much part of the health movement and an important way to boost our health. Try it for yourself by spending more time directly connected to the planet.
Quick Tips on How to Earth
1 Go barefoot, preferably for 30 minutes a day or more
2 Sit on the grass, in natural clothing or on natural blankets, such as cotton
3 Ground your bed or workplace
4 Look for conductive or semi-conductive surfaces to walk or sit on – the beach, grass, concrete surfaces all work
5 Avoid long periods off of the ground – the further you are from planet earth, the more “ungrounded” you become
