Improve Health: The 5-Minute Grounding Practice

Welcome to our first edition of RootAstrolabe Weekly! This week, we’re focusing on a quick exercise to feel more present, calm, and human—right now.

Practice of the Week | 5-Minute Grounding

What is it?

Grounding, also known as earthing, involves making direct contact with the Earth's surface and your skin, typically your feet! You could do this walking barefoot on grass or sand. It links our bodies to the Earth's natural electromagnetic frequencies, which can have various health benefits.

The Earth carries a negative charge (our bodies run on electricity too!), and grounding allows us to equalize with this charge, potentially reducing free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. This is because direct contact with the Earth's surface may help absorb negative electrons, which can aid in reducing inflammation.

How to do it

1. Find a quiet space outside (or just sit comfortably wherever you are).

2. Set a timer for 5 minutes.

3. Breathe deeply and slowly, in through your nose, out through your mouth.

4. Notice any sensations: feet on the ground, air on your skin, tension in your shoulders. (Remember to be barefoot!)

5. When you’re done, notice how your body feels compared to when you started.

Why It Works

Grounding techniques help reduce stress and bring attention back to the present moment. Research by Jon Kabat-Zinn shows mindfulness-based practices can significantly decrease anxiety and increase overall well-being.

Extra Resources

Watch this short video by Andrew Huberman on Grounding benefits.

Reflection

Try this once a day for the next week. Hit reply and let us know how it made you feel!