Earthing for Earth Day

Happy Earth Day 2023! The first “earth day” was in 1970 thanks to Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to raise awareness about environmental issues. By the end of that year, the Environmental Protection Agency was formed, thanks to grassroots rallies all over the country. In 1990 it became a day recognized worldwide.

This year’s theme is “Invest In Out Planet”. And, you know, a reusable water bottle.

Why April 22, you ask? Nelson picked this day because it falls between many students’ spring breaks and final exams. Read: get out there and do your part.

Every time I see a stray wrapper or piece of garbage without a home in a trash receptacle, I think of my dad who was always picking things up around the farm I grew up on, while saying, “gotta keep the ‘ole place lookin’ good”. Today I honor my dad, and the planet, and write this post to shed a bit more light on the topic of doing my part.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. Calm the anger? That too. Peruvian shamans are trying to do just that, performing a ritual with the help of coca leaves, swords, smoking ceramic pots, incense, and even a live snake.

Doing our part to undo the centuries of neglect to our home planet is a start. But how about starting with ourselves.

My daughter introduced me to an incredible documentary, The Earthing Movie, and I urge you all to invest the time to watch it.

The concept is simple: connect to the planet to heal yourself. Take off your shoes and touch a tree.

The documentary explores the benefits of grounding, or connecting to the Earth. Scientifically, the surface of the earth is negatively charged; when this negative charge comes into contact with human skin (hands, feet, for example) human bodies experience reduced inflammation and shift the autonomic nervous system from sympathetic toward parasympathetic activation. Basically you’ll sleep better and have less stress.

It’s recommended we “ground” ourselves 20-30 minutes per day, but some show positive effects in ad little of 10 minutes a day.

Give it a try, it truly can’t hurt.

Happy Earth Day!