Shara Grove Holistics

If there is one (of the many) thing Australia has taught me, it’s the value of earthing, of being barefoot and grounded to the Earth below.

I can’t say I remember doing much of this before I moved to Aus, if anything I don’t think I really started grounding till about 3 years ago.

I have very tense feet. I can find it hard to relax them, and being barefoot used to make me tense more due to anticipation of potentially stepping on something sharp or that would cause discomfort.

I created the switch by introducing myself to being barefoot in simple ways. It started off by going to peg the washing out, walking around to my car or weeding barefoot. Those little things that realistically, don’t require shoes. This small introduction helped me relax into feeling my feet more.

By doing this I was able to tune into what feels good underneath my feet. Did I like dry grass? Wet grass? Did I like dirt? Did I like paving stones?
Turns out I love the feel of wet grass underneath my feet, especially the morning dew kind. I enjoy the solidity and evenness of paving stones but dislike gravel (although I still make myself walk on gravel barefoot every so often).

Did you know you have around 200,000 nerve endings in your feet? That’s double the amount that you have in your hands. Your feet take in an incredible amount of information for your entire body. It’s no wonder that earthing is proven to:

• Reduce cortisol levels
• Increase white blood cell production
• Reduce inflammation
• Decrease pain
• Increase energy levels
• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce fatigue
• Increase mental clarity
• Increase healing speed
• Improve balance
• Increase strength
• Relaxes nervous system

And the list could go on.

When you think about it, it’s no wonder that earthing brings us all of these benefits. We live in a world that is trying so hard to disconnect us from our souls, bodies, ancestors, the elements and the realms. It’s no wonder being barefoot makes us feel grounded, supported, connected and human. It makes us feel human, and I think that is what is so important about it.

By being barefoot, especially in nature, we are tapping into our ancestorial lineage. We’re physically connecting back thousands and thousands (and more thousands) of years before this present day. Way before this imbalance and disconnect started.

We live in a world that is scared to get dirty. A world that values fashion over comfort and practicality. A world that treats us like machines or at least wants to make us feel that way.

Take your shoes off and be on the ground. Just stand there. Notice how your feet feel. Do they begin to relax? Do they crack and cramp as they do so? Are they scared to relax? Do they immediately hug the floor? Do they thank you for allowing them that connection?

Our feet are incredible, and they do so much for us just so we can survive in this world. Don’t take them for granted. Let them breathe. Let them relax. Let them connect to their true environment. Let yourself connect to your true environment.