New to Earthing? Read This

Most people begin to feel better soon after they start Earthing.  They adjust easily to the Earth’s energy.

Someone very ill with various symptoms may feel the difference dramatically, but someone with radiant health and who sleeps well may not feel a significant difference.

One older man adamantly told us he didn’t feel any difference but then admitted that he didn’t get up at night to urinate as frequently as before, and often slept right through the night. That’s a sign of deeper sleep and probable reduction of prostate inflammation.  Welcome benefits.

There are plenty of good reasons to continue Earthing, even though you might not feel any effects, points out biophysicist and Earthing expert James Oschman, Ph.D. “Earthing seems to slow the inevitable effects of aging and help prevent so-called ‘diseases of aging,’ all of which are inflammatory conditions. The person with radiant health may take antioxidant supplements to maintain that good health, but these substances have to be absorbed into the circulatory system and carried to the places in the body where they are needed. In contrast, Earthing appears to rapidly deliver its antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body. The leading theory of aging is the free radical theory: cumulative damage from oxygen free radicals causes the process of aging. By neutralizing free radicals whenever and wherever they form in the body, we believe that Earthing can slow down the damage and actually slow the aging process.” 

Earthing thus has the potential to restore, preserve, and perpetuate improved health.  Its impact on the body is both preventive and therapeutic.   It represents an effortless  and natural lifestyle strategy.

For some people, grounding can feel unusual in the beginning.  There may be some tingling in the body, as is sometimes experienced when strolling barefoot along the wet sand at the beach or on a dew-moistened plot of grass in the morning.  The tingling sensation, probably due to improved circulation and infusion with the Earth’s healing energy, usually dissipates quickly.

In the beginning, some people may feel flu-like symptoms that include malaise, achiness, headache, a foggy mind, tiredness.  Muscle cramps and disturbed sleep might occur.  Our observations suggest that a healing, normalization process is underway because of Earthing’s ability to improve blood flow and oxygenation of the tissues as well as restore a natural electrical state in the body. Systemically, more efficient cell repair and function takes place, promoting a clear-out of wastes and toxins. Such detoxification could result in the symptoms just mentioned. Nerve fibers may function better, resulting in unaccustomed sensations.  Earthing has given the body additional resources to clean up and try to return to normal. Energy is expended in this process, so people sometimes feel initial fatigue before feeling increased energy. These responses vary from person-to-person, and when they occur, generally ease off within a week or two.

Should any such initial discomfort be too intense, we recommend stopping Earthing at night. Resume with shorter exposure, like a half-hour or an hour during the day. Exposure can then be gradually increased over a week or two, allowing your body to adjust.

For individuals with Lyme disease, we strongly recommend following this go-slow approach. The reasons are explained in this report.  Going slow may also be helpful for individuals who are electro-sensitive.

Be sure to stay well hydrated.  Drink plenty of water to help the body flush out wastes. Moreover, the better hydrated the body, the more conductive it is.   We have found that dehydration can impair the effect of Earthing in the body

If you take medication, be alert to the possibility that as the physiology improves because of Earthing the dosage level of your medication may need to be adjusted. You could experience signs of overdose. If you do, see your doctor. Do not reduce medication on your own. For a detailed article on Earthing and medication, click here.

If you take a prescription blood thinner, consult with your doctor before starting Earthing because Earthing has a blood thinning effect as well. Your doctor may never have heard of Earthing but should be informed by you about the possibility of a compounded blood thinning effect and the need to monitor the blood closely.

A European study published in 2011 indicates that Earthing affects thyroid function. More research is clearly needed, but quite a few people on medication for underactive thyroid (hypothyroid) have told us they have been able to reduce their dosage of medication after starting Earthing.  Some reported feeling palpitations, a common sign of excess thyroid hormone.  Our interpretation is that Earthing improves thyroid function and thus the prescribed level of medication may become excessive. If you take thyroid medication and start Earthing, be alert to the possibility of medication overdose. If that should occur, consult with your physician about adjusting your medication level.

To repeat: Each of us is different with different lifestyles. That’s why experiences can differ widely when starting Earthing. Benefits can come smoothly or after some discomfort in the beginning.  They can come quickly and dramatically, or subtly and gradually.  Some people may not feel any benefits, or begin to feel benefits after they increase their grounding time.  It is impossible for us to predict, or tell you precisely, how Earthing will unfold in your particular situation.

If you feel that Earthing isn’t working for you, please review this article.

Featured image by Anshu A on Unsplash

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