One Wellbeing is our wellbeing centre created to support your journey to a healthier, more balanced life. We will be sharing Jonny Wilkinson's curated weekly wellbeing tips. This week we are looking at grounding techniques for a calmer mind.
Read on to find out what techniques Jonny uses in his daily life to ground himself.
You don't have to go far back in your memory to find a time where it felt so good to take your shoes off. Think back to the last time you were at the beach for example, did you have your bare feet in the sand or the water?
This simple, yet soothing experience is actually a practice known as grounding, or earthing. Grounding involves reconnecting with the natural world through direct contact with the earth, and it offers a range of benefits for your mental wellbeing.
How Grounding Helps Your Mental Wellbeing
Research shows that grounding can offer several wellbeing benefits including reducing inflammation and pain, as well as lowering stress and even improving sleep.
1. Reduces Inflammation & Pain
There's a lot of research showing that when you connect with the earth, your body absorbs electrons (natural elements) that neutralises free radicals within the body. This has several observable benefits, including reducing inflammation and pain.
2. Stress Relief
Grounding can help lower cortisol levels, the hormone that spikes during stress. By neutralising the free radicals within, we are protecting our cells against oxidative stress and damage. Taking a few moments to walk barefoot on natural surfaces or just being in touch with nature can help you relax and unwind.
3. Improved Sleep
Grounding might also help you sleep better. By reducing stress and inflammation, it can make it easier to fall asleep and enjoy more restful nights. Integrating grounding practices into your routine could lead to a more balanced sleep cycle and better overall sleep quality.
4. Reconnecting with Nature
Grounding is all about simplicity and getting back to basics, it's also about finding a moment of calm. As kids, many of us loved running around barefoot on grass or playing in the sand. These simple pleasures can be rediscovered through grounding practices.
How to Ground Yourself
Grounding yourself is really easy and accessible. You might prefer to do this in nature, so whether this is on grass or in water, whereever you are you can try just taking off your shoes and socks and standing (or sitting!) on the natural ground. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground, take slow, deep breaths and focus on the sensation of your feet connecting with the earth. You can do this for as long as you feel, although research suggests 30 minutes is enough time to observe improvements in inflammation or pain.
You might be surprised at how quickly you feel the benefits!
"Any time that I sit down and I find myself in the right environment, if there's an opportunity I will take my shoes and socks off and get my feet or skin in contact with the natural ground. There's loads of research that talks about the anti-inflammatory qualities of it."
- Jonny Wilkinson, Founder
