Grounding & Tree Hugging for Good Health & Wellbeing
This month I’ve been sharing with you how to embrace and balance the energies of Autumn and the importance of your energy sources relating to your mind, body and spirit. I’ve also been sharing my Golden Gifts and Deeper Wisdom to help you take the crucial steps to align with the powerful transition of Autumn. I’m now going to share with you the importance of grounding and tree hugging for good health and wellbeing.
So, I’m going to confess, I’m a proud tree hugger. Some might say I’m foolish and mock me, but why? Because I’m concerned about the protection of our trees, animals and other parts of the natural world.
Tree hugging – let’s face it – where else would you find someone who will listen to you endlessly without judging for a split second? There is a reason people say talking to trees and even hugging them makes you happy.
What might surprise you is that when you connect with a tree, you connect with your nature. And connecting with nature puts you in touch with your very essence – your soul. You stand together as one with creation.
One of our modern lifestyle’s significant problems is that it cuts us off from essence. We are part of nature. Since we are the most influential living beings on the planet, we are responsible for being good stewards and guardians of the planet. But we are much better stewards and guardians of the Earth when we are in touch with it.
When we started soaring higher and higher using the wings of technology, somewhere in between we lost touch with the ground. And that’s when the human collective forgot that they need to honour both the earth and the sky for their wellbeing and health benefits.
Grounding or Earthing is such a natural healing technique. It helps us to reconnect with the Earth’s magical potential and cast out the negative energies residing in our bodies in the form of aches, pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, etc. Let’s dive deep into the era when we walked barefoot, slept on the ground and were in constant touch with the “Ground energy”.
Our bodies were capable of much more back then because we could absorb the infinite potential right below our feet. Our spiky running shoes provide momentum during jogging, but they have disconnected us from the Source. Being isolated from Earth due to materials, such as rubber and plastic shoes, wood, tile, carpets, etc. leaves us with an unhealthy feeling.
We are Energy
Now here’s the science. We are nothing but energy, and our cells are made of atoms and molecules. Atoms are a combination of positive and negative charges called protons and electrons respectively. Many health atoms tend to have a negative charge because they possess more electrons. Some of these atoms might have electrons stolen from them, which as a result, makes them highly reactive to other atoms present in the body. In this reactive state they are called “Free radicals”.
An increase in the number of these damaging free radicals leads to deterioration in health; modern science calls this “Sickness”. When we practice grounding, our bodies, which are good conductors, absorb the negatively charged electrons from the ground to replenish the deficit, therefore, neutralising the destructive free radicals.
The science behind hugging a tree leads to a substantial increase in Oxytocin, which is the same hormone that your body produces during moments of intimacy or emotional bonding. So, the next time you are feeling low or unloved, just go and hug a tree or at least be in the vicinity of trees.
Trees are symbiotic to mankind because they produce oxygen, which is our life force. Isn’t this one reason enough to spend more and more time in the forest? The green colour is also said to lower the systolic blood pressure and keeps the heart rate in check. Trees emit phytoncides. When these are mixed into our blood stream through absorption via the skin or normal breathing, this leads to increased activity of the natural killer cells that kill tumour and virus infections.
Connect with Nature
When I walk in nature daily, I do this mindfully. Practicing mindfulness helps to create a calm and alert frame of mind. And doing this as a daily ritual reduces stress and brings clarity of the mind, along with connecting with nature; these are powerful yet soothing practices.
You too can use these methods to create rituals. It’s a perfect way to boost your attitude, immune system, health and wellbeing. Incorporate them into your daily routines.
When connecting with nature, your proximity to trees, your intention, and your imagination are the elements that make this work. You can use this practice while sitting, or laying down on the ground, or standing. And the beauty of it is, you can do it while standing, you can do it in almost any weather condition.
Some people find winter is one of the best times because snow also dampens any noise. Many like to do it in the summer because they can also be barefoot. No matter the weather or climate, nature is always reaching out to us, wanting to connect. We are, after all, a part of the ecosystem. A tree grounding practice helps us synchronise and harmonise with the planet’s vibrational frequency.
A great way to connect with nature and ground is with my 3 Golden Gifts and Deeper Wisdom to help bring you closer to the world of nature and reap the benefits.
You will be surprised at how refreshed you will feel after this simple, free and accessible activity. You can even get the whole family involved.
Golden Gifts
1. Find a tree
Start by finding a suitable tree. If you have the luxury of walking in a forest or sizeable garden, take your time. Find one that you are drawn to, preferably one where you can get close to the trunk. Find one that speaks to you. You don’t have to touch the tree, but many prefer to do so.
Some people develop rituals around trees. They dance and worship the life-affirming and life-giving trees. Do whatever you feel led to do, as long as you cause no harm.
Deeper Wisdom:
Observe and tune in, start by looking closely at the tree, its branches, its leaves… Now, follow the trunk down to its roots. You may see some sticking up from the ground, radiating outward. Imagine how they extend into the earth. If it’s possible, sit or lay under the tree, and look up through the branches.
Listening with your inner voice, our intuition, helps us to be grounded. Connecting with nature facilitates this process.
2. Reach Out
Reach out Physically or Symbolically by touching the tree. Some people put their arms around the trunk. If you are sitting or lying on the ground, you can feel the roots and trunk. If you can’t touch the tree, don’t worry. Your proximity and intent will be sufficient.
Deeper Wisdom:
Envision yourself as part of the tree’s roots extending down into the earth. Contemplate the time it has taken for this tree to grow. Think about all the weather it has endured. You may see scars on the trunk or broken limbs. These are symbolic of your trials and tribulations.
3. Speak to your heart
Use your imagination, commune and connect with the tree. Speak words from your heart. Give thanks for providing shade and the very oxygen you breathe. Take your time. Stand straight like the tree and take a few deep breaths.
Deeper Wisdom:
Visualise yourself tapping into the living energy part of the tree, part of Pachamama / Mother Earth / Gaia, part of the Universe. Enjoy the moment. Give thanks to the oxygen the tree provides. Lastly listen and spend some quiet time. Breathe with the tree. Allow the mind to be calm.
So, let’s summarise those Golden Gifts again:
- Find a tree
- Reach out
- Speak from your heart
In Shamanic Practices and in the preparation of The Shamanic Journey, this tree grounding practice is an excellent preparatory for the Shamanic Journey. Many indigenous cultures often incorporate some form of this exercise within their practice. Sometimes it’s only with branches from a tree. When they burn the tree, they do so as part of a ritual honouring life.
Don’t overlook the simplicity of this exercise. It may be simple, but it acts to calm down our overactive minds. Connecting with nature gives us a healthy perspective.
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