Day 56 of 365 - Grounding and the Benefits of Earth and Sun
We have had some particularly gloomy days here recently. Aside from the daylight hours being much shorter, we've had several rainy or cloudy days. There are good reasons why we can feel lethargic and glum in weather like this.
Perhaps you have noticed how much better you feel during a winter vacation in a sunny, warm, beach location. Or, even in the spring and summer months here when you can enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin and feel the earth beneath your feet.
Our bodies just function better overall, at an organ, system and cellular level when we have that connection to the sun and to the earth. There are now good scientific explanations for this. It's more than just a mood enhancer. It changes our metabolic functions.
Unfortunately, many factors in our modern lifestyle impact our ability to stay grounded and experience the benefits of connection to earth and sun. The places we live and work usually shield us from the light wavelengths we benefit from. Our artificial lighting and multiple electronic devices expose us to too much blue light and not enough red light.
The surfaces that our feet are upon most of the day also insulate us from the beneficial electrical grounding effect of the earth. It's not just flooring but also the shoes we wear which often have rubber or plastic soles.
So, what can we do? In milder seasons, spend time outside every day if possible, making a connection to nature away from all the artificial insulation and interference. Walking on earth or grass or even concrete can be grounding, ideally barefoot in warm weather, or in leather soled shoes which are conductors. But, even in winter, spending some time outside can recharge our energy, especially on a bright day.
There are different options for indoors too. If you happen to have ceramic tile in your home, walking or standing barefoot on it has a grounding effect. Using light filters on electronic devices, many of which are now built in settings, will also reduce the amount of blue light we take in, especially important for the evening hours to prepare us for sleep. Lamps and bulbs which have a warm tone of lighting are also better for evening. If you happen to have access to an infrared sauna, that can also be very beneficial.
Another factor to consider is the EMF, or electromagnetic field created in our homes or workplaces from all our electronic devices. Unplugging your computer modem or router before bed reduces those emissions and can help you have a more restful sleep.
Something I just purchased recently is a sizable Himalayan salt lamp to place in the den where our main computer and internet modem are. Some proponents believe that the ionizing effects of the salt lamp can help balance out electronic emissions, though there is apparently no proof of this. I have to say that the room does feel better to me. I have the lamp on whenever the internet and Wi-Fi is turned on. Maybe it's just a balancing effect of warm light versus blue light that is more soothing to me. Whatever, I feel a difference.
Winter in Canada can be hard on our bodies. It's important to do what we can to boost their efficiency. Eating healthy, exercising, spending time in nature and small modifications to our home environments can all help.
Perhaps you have noticed how much better you feel during a winter vacation in a sunny, warm, beach location. Or, even in the spring and summer months here when you can enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin and feel the earth beneath your feet.
Our bodies just function better overall, at an organ, system and cellular level when we have that connection to the sun and to the earth. There are now good scientific explanations for this. It's more than just a mood enhancer. It changes our metabolic functions.
Unfortunately, many factors in our modern lifestyle impact our ability to stay grounded and experience the benefits of connection to earth and sun. The places we live and work usually shield us from the light wavelengths we benefit from. Our artificial lighting and multiple electronic devices expose us to too much blue light and not enough red light.
The surfaces that our feet are upon most of the day also insulate us from the beneficial electrical grounding effect of the earth. It's not just flooring but also the shoes we wear which often have rubber or plastic soles.
So, what can we do? In milder seasons, spend time outside every day if possible, making a connection to nature away from all the artificial insulation and interference. Walking on earth or grass or even concrete can be grounding, ideally barefoot in warm weather, or in leather soled shoes which are conductors. But, even in winter, spending some time outside can recharge our energy, especially on a bright day.
There are different options for indoors too. If you happen to have ceramic tile in your home, walking or standing barefoot on it has a grounding effect. Using light filters on electronic devices, many of which are now built in settings, will also reduce the amount of blue light we take in, especially important for the evening hours to prepare us for sleep. Lamps and bulbs which have a warm tone of lighting are also better for evening. If you happen to have access to an infrared sauna, that can also be very beneficial.
Another factor to consider is the EMF, or electromagnetic field created in our homes or workplaces from all our electronic devices. Unplugging your computer modem or router before bed reduces those emissions and can help you have a more restful sleep.
Something I just purchased recently is a sizable Himalayan salt lamp to place in the den where our main computer and internet modem are. Some proponents believe that the ionizing effects of the salt lamp can help balance out electronic emissions, though there is apparently no proof of this. I have to say that the room does feel better to me. I have the lamp on whenever the internet and Wi-Fi is turned on. Maybe it's just a balancing effect of warm light versus blue light that is more soothing to me. Whatever, I feel a difference.
Winter in Canada can be hard on our bodies. It's important to do what we can to boost their efficiency. Eating healthy, exercising, spending time in nature and small modifications to our home environments can all help.
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