Zzzzz.... Ssshhh! This may be the happiest sound on Earth for those who experience sleep disorders, sleep deficit, symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, chronic pain, inflammation, body aches, racing thoughts, stress, mental or physical overload.
When is the last time you had a good night's sleep? Sleep disorders are wreaking havoc on our mental and physical health, but Nature has a happy solution: Grounding for Healing and Rest.
Grounding or "Earthing" is a way of connecting our bodies to Earth's natural electro-magnetic energy. You may already know about "grounding" from studying electricity. Electrons flowing through wiring systems require direct connection and bonding with Earth. Grounding prevents electricity from building up in conductors to dangerous levels, perhaps triggering electrical shock or electrical fires. Electrical current seeks the most direct path to Earth. With a grounding conduit, excess electrical energy is returned to the Earth if an electrical system fails, where it is safely absorbed into Earth's surface. Unhealthy levels of electricity can lead to shock and death for human beings, and our creature- and plant-kin. Too much is deadly.
But a little goes a long way. Earth-energy grounding is very healthy, as practice and subtle energy research demonstrates. When we are in direct contact with Earth's energy at consistent, low levels, our biological and mental health recover at astounding rates. Over centuries, since we no longer sleep outside or walk without shoes, our opportunities for grounding have been limited.
Those who walk barefoot or sleep in contact with Earth, or practice tai chi/qi gong, Shinrin Yoku, or other Nature immersion therapies by removing their shoes and having direct contact with Earth experience the benefits of grounding. Artists, poets, musicians, eco-philosophers and eco-spiritual practitioners have been extolling the virtues of Earthing for centuries. But they are not the only ones. Here are just a few health benefits noted by the National Institute of Health as effects of grounding:
Positive healing effects for chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, tumorigenesis, and wound healing
Measurable differences in the concentrations of white blood cells, cytokines, and other molecules involved in the inflammatory response
Observed effects on cell and tissue physiology, cell biology, biophysics, and biochemistry
Reduced pain for muscle injury and soreness; altering the numbers of circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes, and various circulating chemical factors related to inflammation
[Oschman, James L., Gaetan Chevalier, and Richard Brown. "The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases," NIH; National Library of Medicine: National Center for Biotechnology Information] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/
What about those happy "Nighty Nights?" The positive effects of grounding for sleep cannot be overstated:
Grounding the body during sleep yields measurable changes in diurnal or circadian cortisol secretion levels that yield deeper sleep, less pain, stress (anxiety, depression, and irritability) reduction, prolonged chronic stress abatement, inflammation, and chronic pain.
This means those who are grounded benefit from reduced fatigue, anxiety, stress, inflammation, and chronic pain, and experience a boost in energy, mobility, sleep rejuvenation, overall physical and mental health, and resiliency. Who wouldn't want to wake up feeling like the new day is an adventure rather than a drudgery? Who wouldn't want an energy surge as a result of restful sleep, rather than an energy drain from a night of pain, anxiety, and restlessness?
A mystic at heart with a science-geek intellectual curiosity, I had to experience grounding sheets myself before I could recommend them. I had already experienced the positive effects of grounding as a Nature Immersion enthusiast/guide. I have been practicing grounding techniques outside for the last 40+ years, and can attest to the positive mental and physical health benefits of grounding. But I was a bit skeptical of the positive effect of grounding sheets on sleep.
Until my Sister gifted me with these grounding sheets. Wow. Cotton sheets connected to the ground of the wall outlet, threaded with silver fibers, which act as a conductor. Seriously. Double check the ground on the outlet before using to make sure you're good to go, and then connect, and sink into the sweetest nighty-night of your life.
The practice of grounding in Nature during the day has been central to my spiritual practice for years. Now grounding sheets for nighttime rest have been a game-changer, a paradigm-shifting lens, and a salvific nighttime blessing.
I am happy in recommending them to anyone who struggles with chronic pain, inflammation, restlessness, anxiety, or sleep deprivation. I am on a quest to gift them to chronic pain and hospice patients, to my family and friends, clients and colleagues. Everyone who suffers from chronic sleep deprivation deserves the chance to try them, at least.
I love sleep as a spiritual and physical discipline and art. "Hypnos" (<Gk. 'sleep') is closely related to "Thanatos" (<Gk. 'death'), and has been a curiosity, fascination and research topic for me since my youth. Its mythological antecedents are unmistakable in the tales of the Greek twin brothers, Hypnos and Thanatos. I wondered - and explored for years why sleep was important - necessary to physical and mental health for human beings to succumb to beta- and alpha-level (deep REM sleep) consciousness regularly. Seems like a great practice for embracing death that we do this "slip-into-slumber," "dream-dance trance" each night. Why? What are we supposed to be learning/experiencing/remembering/integrating while we sleep?
So, so much. Dream-work is soul-work. A topic for another post.
Still, the need for restful, deep sleep for physical and mental health has been much documented and celebrated by those who have suffered the adverse effects of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. When I tried the grounding sheets, I knew it meant much more for me than just a good night's sleep. I was so pleasantly surprised, even a little shocked at how great I felt. Astounded, really. Grounding myself at night was healing and rejuvenating in a way I had not experienced for decades. It meant re-creating who I am, composting my ensouled bodily self. If you have not heard of grounding and want to experience it - day or night, please investigate. Nighty-night!
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