Get Grounded
When humans moved indoors and started wearing insulating shoes, we inadvertently cut ourselves off from a critical resource. The Earth is naturally negatively charged and your cells also need a negative charge. This charge is depleted through normal cellular functioning but it can be replenished quickly by the earth where free electrons flow in abundance. The electrons perform an antioxidant role, reducing inflammation, and improve blood flow by ensuring that red blood cell surfaces and capillary walls are sufficiently charged to repel each other.
Touching the earth with your bare skin on a wet or damp surface is the most conductive. Put your bare feet or hands on soil, plants, and even rocks. Wading in a river or seawater, which is rich in minerals and therefore more conductive, is even better! There are human-made surfaces that are also conductive such as a gravel driveway or concrete that does not have a sealant. Asphalt and non-living wood, such as decking, are not conductive. Your lawn is also a living surface, with its roots in the soil, so as long as your lawn is growing in the earth it will provide you with electrons that bring your body into balance with the earth's charge.
Plan to spend at least 30 minutes grounding each day and remember that this minimum of 30 minutes can happen in small chunks of time throughout the day. In fact, it is actually good to spread this time out and replenish your body regularly. The flow of electrons is immediate. Anytime your body is less negatively charged than the earth, electrons will immediately flow from the earth to you to bring you into homeostasis with the earth. So go outside early and often and reap these benefits. It’s an easy boost of antioxidants!
There are many products available to increase your grounding time or support grounding in the colder months. If you decide to use indoor grounding mats, consider grounding these mats directly outside using a grounding rod in order to avoid any potential for dirty electricity from your grounded outlets. Going outside and directly touching the earth is always best and you can also use electron-friendly footwear. Any footwear made of natural materials such as leather or wool will allow electrons to flow. I love my Earth Runner sandals which use copper technology in the footbed. Another trick I use if I’m wearing non-conductive shoes is to stop and pet the plants along my walk.