The Practice of Earthing
Today is Earth Day, a day to acknowledge our impact on this planet and to remind ourselves of the importance of protecting her. But it can also be a day to express gratitude for Earth’s constant provision.
Mother Earth is the only hospitable place in the cosmos for our human vessels to carry out their purpose-driven lives. She provides us with access to terrain, nutrient-dense soil, fresh water, oxygen, sunlight, plant medicines, a host of unique animals, and not to mention, a home to facilitate relationships and live in community. I, for one, am supremely grateful for this big beautiful miraculous planet. Of all the celestial objects we know of, Earth, is the only one with the most perfectly formulated potion of ingredients for our survival in this human experience.
That ought to be more than enough for us to want to preserve our home for as long as we can. To want to (re)connect to our nurturing Earth mama.
One way to do that is by Earthing. Earthing is a grounding practice that helps us connect back to our roots. It allows us to remember that even in the darkest of times we are always being supported and provided for by Gaia.
Lean into this support by taking some time to go outside and walk barefoot on the grass. Close your eyes and feel the points where the earth is making contact with the soles of your feet. Press down into your heels. Wiggle your toes to bring your awareness to your feet. Imagine that your body is a tree trunk anchoring down into the soil, extending your energetic roots deep below the surface. Then take a deep breath in as you drink up her nutrients. Exhale and release.
As we inhale, we take in precious air that fills our lungs and circulates through our body. It oxygenates our organs, delivering vital energy to sustain our physiological processes. And as we exhale, we release carbon dioxide, a byproduct of our living process that no longer serves us. This constant cycle of receiving and giving, giving and receiving is symbolic of the exchange we make with the Earth every moment of every day. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are forever connected to our planet. So breathe deeply and fully as you become an active participant in this exchange and reconnect with the heartbeat of the planet.
This is the process of earthing. To simply connect physically to the earth, without anything between you and her. Barefoot. Skin to soil.
Did you know that standing barefoot in the soil helps to revitalize the body, reduce stress, and restore nutrients lost?
It is believed that the earth is negatively charged, emitting negative ions and electrons, which help detoxify our bodies from free radicals, heavy metals, and air pollution. With our feet on the ground, we begin to “flow with the current of the earth.” We tap into the heartbeat of the planet and remember that it is very much alive and active. Our planet is like a conductor, and we as humans have our own electrical fields we generate. So earthing can help you to feel electrically grounded, centered, strong, solid, balanced, less tense, and less stressed. All properties of the earth and the earth element.
Earthing can be done on soil, grass, dirt, even sand. It can be done standing, sitting, or walking. The key, really, is to bring as much of your skin into physical contact with the ground as you can. Is it any wonder that we tend to feel more calm and peaceful after walking along a beach’s shoreline, feeling the grains of sand between our toes with every step?
Doing this practice every day for a few minutes a day is a wonderful way to add some mental, emotional, and even physical stability to your life and is an excellent addition to any joy practice. If you live in a more urban area with limited access to green uninhibited outdoor areas, going to a park once a week and earthing can still be extremely beneficial.
Although bareskin contact is best, for those of you who are not comfortable making direct contact or who may have allergic reactions to grass, you can rest assured knowing there is an option for you. Raum’s makes earthing shoes, which have a built-in copper rivet on the shoe’s base. Copper is an infamous conductor of electrical currents and can safely channel the electrical energy produced by the earth into our bodies. Plus, the shoes are designed intentionally with a thin leather sole so that you can still feel the texture of the ground beneath you. This possibly the best option for still obtaining the natural healing and soothing benefits of earthing without the need for going barefoot. You can purchase your very own pair of Raum’s earthing shoes here so that you never have to miss out on doing this virtually free and easily accessible practice.
Our planet is constantly birthing, giving, providing, nurturing, and sustaining through the climes and times. This simple act of grounding down is both a reminder of this beautiful and essential exchange and an act of gratitude for it. It is very easy for us to get self-absorbed in the minutia of our day-to-day lives. Work, family, friends, vacations, shopping, eating, sleeping, watching tv or movies —all of it can be wonderful experiences on their own. But sometimes, all of this doing can turn out to be distractions from the fact that Gaia is always here providing the means for us to be able to do any of it.
And while it is nice that we have days like today to remind us that we have to each take the personal responsibility and accountability to protect our environments and heal our planet, we are doing ourselves a disservice if we are not acknowledging the entirety of the reason why we must protect her. Consciously connecting with Gaia can remind us of the why. It can remind us of how much we need her. It can help us feel her energy pulse. Plus, it can provide us with some much needed restoration and can encourage higher consciousness, as well as a feeling of stability in the process.
Just by the contact made between your bare skin and the earth!
So connect back to Mother Earth today and honor all that she continues to do for you.
If you’re looking for me, I’ll be outside doing the same 💜.