Walking outdoors barefoot on grass, earth, sand, rock or even in shallow water is ideal to become grounded, and it’s free. I just love practising my tai chi barefoot on short grass or wet sand at low tide.

And gardening, as a healing or therapeutic process, benefits our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Our modern life styles have disconnected us from the earth, our ancestors have spent a lot more time outdoors than we do nowadays, walking and working the earth.

Gardening really can be therapeutic. It gets us back to our roots, so to speak, as we work to cultivate the soil and harvest the fruits of our labours. Gardening nurtures our sense of responsibility to living things. It can be seen as a form of meditation as it quietens the conscious mind.

Scientific studies validate the calming effect of gardening and even that just simply being in a garden lowers blood pressure. Placing our hands into the soil helps us realise that we are part of the nature that is all around us. It is an excellent grounding activity that brings us closer to Earth, both literally and metaphorically.

The combination of the fresh air and physical exercise helps oxygenate our blood and energises our physical body, while simultaneously releasing endorphins to alleviate any stress. It is a healthy outlet for our emotions too. Gardening helps burn calories as well as improve our appetite. It tones our muscles, improves the strength, endurance and flexibility of our body and helps us sleep at the end of the day.

Research indicates that connecting with the Earth can help:

• Calm the body, mind & spirit
• Increase energy levels
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Help blood pressure
• Reduce muscle tension
• Relieve headache
• Reduce chronic pain
• Stimulate our senses of smell, touch, taste, seeing, & hearing
• Encourage exploration
• Improve sleep

So get grounded, connect with the soil of the Earth to improve your health and well-being. If you do not have access to land, then grow and nurture potted indoor plants and go out in parks and nature to sit, walk, play or practice tai chi and qigong.

It is well worth a try 🙂