Why you should be grounded

No, I don’t mean that you’re in trouble. I mean that you should ground your energy. It’s good in general, but especially when you are feeling like things are in turmoil.

Grounding involves connecting your personal energy with the earth’s energy, and can be accomplished in a number of ways. One way is through intention, or yi: the thoughts of your mind direct the flow of energy, and you connect with the earth’s energy as a result. That’s the sort of thing that occurs during any meditation where you might feel your energy descending like roots into the ground.

Another, more direct, way is through earthing: direct contact with the planet. It is usually achieved by standing barefoot on the dirt or grass, or perhaps lying your entire body flat onto the ground to make direct contact with the planet.

A recent study in environmental medicine shows that there are great benefits to earthing in particular, since it allows our bodies’ bio-electric fields to stabilize. (I should note that the study was written and funded by a company that sells products that help with earthing.)

Apparently, those who had greater connection with the earth’s energy improved their sleep function and reduced their aches and pains. The subjects in the study either grounded themselves with direct contact with the earth (earthing) or used specially developed devices to connect them to the earth’s energy.

The takeaway? We should all be a lot more grounded. I myself am looking forward to doing my qigong and tai chi practices outside in the grass once it’s a bit warmer.

Here I am doing a bit of tai chi on vacation, on the island of Nevis.