GROUNDING

When I think of grounding, I think of nature. For me, grounding is a connection to mother earth. I recently came across an article about connecting physically to the ground to receive benefits from the earth. Yes, this means shoes and socks off and standing barefoot in the grass. At what age do most of us lose this connection with nature? I believe I was around 12 when outside became less fascinating and inside was where it was at.

As I got into my twenties I started to enjoy nature again, especially the beach. I felt so calm and relaxed sitting in the sand, feet nestled in it, toes wiggling the grains through them. This, for me, is grounding. When you feel that exhale of relief when you are out in nature, you are connecting to the physical world. As I entered my thirties, grounding became even more important to me. We uprooted our entire life to move to the country, beautiful Oro-Medonte, to be more connected to nature. My children attend a Forest School 2 days per week at Horseshoe Valley Resort where they spend the entire day outdoors. They learn to build a fire, climb trees, hike, snowshoe, play in the river, and scoop up salamanders and frogs for inspection. They learn to use a compass and make tea out of edible plants that they pick themselves. I feel that I am giving them a gift in a world that is so technology-based, an opportunity to fall in love with trees, blue skies, and even rainy days.

We also live in a forest, surrounded by beautiful trees on a private 1.5-acre lot. You can often find Charlize and I practicing cartwheels and handstands in the backyard, barefoot, connecting, both to each other and the environment.

My husband and I are avid cyclists. This is a great way to connect to nature. Travelling up mountains, alongside beaches, and through forests, with the wind blowing and cooling you down like a personal fan. I love it when we dip into the forest and you instantly feel cooler, like nature’s natural air conditioning. Exercise and nature have played a big role in my recovery from past abuse and addiction. Involving myself in sport kept my mind busy and doing it outside had me falling in love with travelling and the beautiful landscapes of the world.

I believe it is easy to ignore the powerful relationship between humans and our land. So easy to forget about the energy exchange that happens with every breath we take. The trees provide us with oxygen and we provide them with carbon dioxide, together we thrive. Our beautiful forests and landscapes also provide us with negative ions that are so incredibly important to our health. Positive and negative ions are invisible particles in the air – either molecules or atoms. Negative ions are bountiful on beaches and mountains, while positive ions are found in large numbers in crowded cities and offices. You can bring negative ions into your home or office with crystal salt lamps, plants, and commercial ionizers.

I believe it is easy to ignore the powerful relationship between humans and our land

I believe that connecting with nature has brought me so much happiness. A soak in the ocean, barefoot on grass or sand, a hug for a tree, these are all free and help to create more balance in your life.

What are your favourite outdoor activities? How do you connect to the environment?

Wishing You Well Friends.