A New Way to Reconnect on Earth Day

With Earth Day just around the corner (this year it’s on Tuesday, April 22nd) and Spring finally in full bloom, I’ve been enjoying the warmth and the sunshine. Like most of my neighbors in Connecticut, I am happy to finally have the harsh New England winter behind us.

Mother Nature is springing to life with flowers coming into bloom and leaves budding on the trees; the animals are also getting more active, energetic and playful this time of year. Even as child I could see and feel a special connection between nature and the vitality of life.

I grew up in Manhattan—cement and steel on the earth—but for as long as I can remember, I have loved laying on the sand at the beach and on the grass outside looking up at the sky and clouds. It seemed like such a simple thing to do...to take a moment (or two) to stop and connect with Mother Nature. The heat of the sand beneath my body and the soft yet firm support of Mother Earth always felt so good to me. Now I understand why.

I didn't know it at the time, but it turns out that there is a health benefit to laying down on the earth. I instinctively felt this at a very young age, and when I recently started reading articles about 'Earthing' and 'Grounding,' I was not surprised.

It's based on the premise that 'grounding' ourselves helps to neutralize the free radicals in our bodies. When something in the body is damaged, extra free radicals are produced, and if the body has too many free radicals, long-term damage can be done. 

It’s a fascinating topic and this year I recommend celebrating Earth Day by making a commitment to yourself to reconnect with Mother Earth. It’s time well spent, and you’ll be happy you did.

To learn more about 'Grounding', read the article that was recently published in The Intelligent Optimist.

Want to give it a try? Earthing researcher Clint Ober recommends grounding yourself at least 2 or 3 times a day for half an hour. Here are some tips to get started:

1)    Take off shoes and socks and go for a walk in the backyard, beach or park. The soles of the feet contain more nerve endings than other parts of the body and conduct energy from the earth really well. 

2)    You can earth yourself by walking barefoot on a concrete basement floor. Concrete is made of water and minerals, so it is conductive. So are natural (unsealed) stone floors and tiles. 

3)    Earth's energy flows through water so go swimming or wading in the ocean other natural body of water. Salt water contains minerals so it conducts better than fresh water.

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To learn more about West Hartford Massage Therapy and owner/ founder Bonita Weisman, visit www.whmassagetherapy.com.