grounded by winter

Despite my love of swimming and BBQs, I struggle through the summer months. Between the intense humidity and clouds of mosquitoes I find little enjoyment in being outdoors while others frolic in the summer sun. Give me overcast, cold, rain and snow. This is the time I connect with the earth, time to thrive. Bundle up and you can ground yourself when it’s cold outside.

We all have electrical energy, and modern technology has a way of throwing that energy off at times. Free radicals from just living a modern lifestyle and having daily exposure to pollutants, technology (EMFs), and more can build up in the body. When we get back in touch (literally!) with the earth, the free radicals neutralize, our health can improve, and we bring ourselves back in sync with the earth’s energy field. Grounding, sometimes called earthing, brings us back to a neutral, balanced state when we make direct contact with the earth.

Let me ask you a question: when is the last time you walked barefoot on the earth… in the winter? Between constantly wearing shoes, living in a house, and maybe even thinking of the ground as “dirty” and avoiding it at all costs, there’s a good chance it’s been a while since you truly got in touch with the earth as humans have always been meant to do. My favorite place to ground as the seasons change is the forest. As the leaves fall from the trees, they create a soft bed on the forest floor. The perfect cushion for a barefoot walk. Don’t be afraid of the cold; as long as your body and head are warm your feet won’t fall off. I promise.

There’s not a “right way” to participate in grounding. It’s the most natural thing in the world, though it may feel oddly foreign when you first start practicing it. The quickest and easiest way to do this is to kick off your shoes and walk around in the grass (or dirt, sand, rocks, etc) or lie on the ground and take a short nap in the sun. You could even try yoga or meditation outside. Winter beaches are also a fave of mine as you can get a double whammy of both grounding in sand and the healing power of the sea.

Here’s a quick list of Autumn/Winter wellness rituals that will convert you to the beauty of experiencing nature when it’s cold:

+ In addition to walking, biking in the crisp fall air can leave you feeling invigorated and refreshed.
+ Hot springs and hot tubs are best used in the winter. The contrast of cold and hot does wonders for both mind and body.
+ Consume warm, nourishing foods before grounding outside to keep your body warm but also to create a sense of inner peace and coziness.
+ As you see the leaves fall from the trees, visualize letting go of any thoughts or feelings that don’t serve you in this season.