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I recently found out about earthing or grounding, which is when you expose your bare skin to the ground, transferring energy from the earth to your body.
It turns out that there are many health benefits from simply walking barefoot on Mother Earth’s natural surfaces. Reading this I wanted to take off my shoes immediately.
Step off the vehicle and experience a deeper connection with nature on foot and take it the next step further; go barefoot.
The first place I thought about walking barefoot in was the Leadwood forest in the Northern part of Londolozi. It grows along the Manyelethi river, where the ancient leadwood trees have been towering for hundreds of years watching over leopards stalking through them, birds building homes in them, and one of the trees is also a host for one of the biggest leopard orchids that I have seen.
It is a sacred place and has an energy that is hard to describe. Like the wind; you can’t see it but you can feel it.
It is ethereal.
An elephant bull walking through the leadwood forest.
It is said that our bodies are designed to be in contact with the earth yet in the modern world we are largely disconnected from natural world; years ago we would be walking barefoot, sleeping on the ground or using the skin of animals as shoes or to sleep on, still connecting us to earth.
Positive electrons in the form of free radicals can build up in our bodies, and in high concentrations can be unstable, impacting our cell development. In western society we are surrounded by technology which transmits electromagnetic waves; WiFi and cellular devices that cause our body to create or be bombarded by more free radicals. By touching the ground we are supposedly exposed to negatively charged electrons which will help balance this, neutralising the positive electron build-up. It is a similar effect to that of a lightning conductor on a house’s roof. Some people will even take off their shoes to ground themselves in a new country to get in tune with that time zone, supposedly helping with jet lag.
The leadwood forest on the morning I decided to walk through it barefoot
The Earth’s electrons can act as antioxidants, microorganisms (helpful mycobacterium vaccae) also enter your body which boost your immune system, improving your mood, and grounding your body can even help with reducing stress and improving sleep. These are just a few of many health benefits currently being studied…
Going back to the microorganisms mentioned above, it is believed they stimulate immune cells to release cytokines, a type of signalling protein that stimulate neurons to release serotonin into the prefrontal cortex. Basically, serotonin is a hormone that gives us a sense of well-being and helps our brain cells to communicate with other cells around our body.
Or maybe it’s the health benefits of the sense of peace you feel through simply walking though the trees, being in nature.It is always encouraged to skip the treadmill and take a walk/run through the park or on the beach rather. There is a chance you may see a bird or two fly by or discover a new flower that is blooming along your walking path. Natural stimulation is almost always the better way to go.
There is a mellowing effect on us when we sit, breath in, listen and touch nature. Maybe it’s the earth’s charge or maybe it’s just a feeling…
Jess was born in Kwazulu/Natal but grew up in Cape Town. Having an innate love for all things wild but getting to spend little time in the bush while growing up, she headed straight for the Lowveld after school. She completed a guiding ...
As someone who doesn’t even walk around the house barefoot due to flat feet and needing constant arch support to mitigate pain, I find it almost luxurious to stand on a beach or in the grass without shoes. This summer I tried to make a point of going barefoot when I watered my plants in the garden. It really does make a difference.
Christa,
Even better when the shoes are taken off and then the walk commences. Beware of the sharp, pointed, things the Earth has sticking up out of it!
I love to garden barefoot ….in the black rich soil where I am planting my vegetables and when I was younger and lived in Barbados I would walk for miles along the beautiful beach free of most Humans except me and the wildflowers that grew along the way that I put in my hair and stuck in my very tiny bikini here and there!!!! My dog, Trudeau, a beautiful Alsatian would accompany me … he would grab empty coconut shells along the way and play with me in the gorgeous aqua water….the air was fresh and delicious….early in the morning ….I have never been happier in my entire life than there at that time in 1976….I am now 78 and the memories are wonderful and thank you for your post because your experiences you wrote brought me back there just now. I have always loved being close to Nature …The Secret Life of Trees is my favorite book….I highly recommend it to you and others you travel with. Blessings to you, Jess and the rest of your fellow travelers.
I had no idea that taking your shoes had all Of those positive benefits, I don’t do it much but I’m going to start doing it more! (it also makes me feel like a kid again! Another benefit!)
I’m loving the greenness of the leadwood forest and the idea to enjoy it by going barefoot. Wearing shoes is overrated and I wear them as little as possible- never inside the house. Walking on grass or the beach is soothing, free from the constraints of man made foot prisons, that allows one to be close to earth. Great blog.
I grew up barefoot and now with every opportunity I still love to enjoy the warmth of the earth beneath my feet. You are so right mother earth heals us all in amazing ways. 🙏💕
Brilliant in sharing this! It is so important-yes! Years ago a friend was shocked with 220 volts at work. It knocked him across the room. For several days after he was spacey, headaches and just didn’t feel right. I suggested he take his shoes off and put his feet into the Earth. He poopooed it until he was so fed up one evening with the symptoms he did it. He claimed he could literally feel all of the electricity in his body drain out of him and into the Earth for several minutes. He immediately felt himself again, no more headaches or physical symptoms he was completely back to normal. We mostly wear rubber or plastic soled shoes which keep all of the EMFs residing in our body from (as you stated) the WiFi, microwaves, radios, tv etc… it needs to be released back into the Earth. We need the connection to this planet on a constant basis-on so many levels. Love Londolozi and what you all are doing there. Healing the -lanes and her children! Beautiful articles and photos!
As someone who doesn’t even walk around the house barefoot due to flat feet and needing constant arch support to mitigate pain, I find it almost luxurious to stand on a beach or in the grass without shoes. This summer I tried to make a point of going barefoot when I watered my plants in the garden. It really does make a difference.
Jess, I loved all the photos, and I saved the elephant🤗
Lovely pictures. Great idea to go on a walk and take off your shoes.
Christa,
Even better when the shoes are taken off and then the walk commences. Beware of the sharp, pointed, things the Earth has sticking up out of it!
I love to garden barefoot ….in the black rich soil where I am planting my vegetables and when I was younger and lived in Barbados I would walk for miles along the beautiful beach free of most Humans except me and the wildflowers that grew along the way that I put in my hair and stuck in my very tiny bikini here and there!!!! My dog, Trudeau, a beautiful Alsatian would accompany me … he would grab empty coconut shells along the way and play with me in the gorgeous aqua water….the air was fresh and delicious….early in the morning ….I have never been happier in my entire life than there at that time in 1976….I am now 78 and the memories are wonderful and thank you for your post because your experiences you wrote brought me back there just now. I have always loved being close to Nature …The Secret Life of Trees is my favorite book….I highly recommend it to you and others you travel with. Blessings to you, Jess and the rest of your fellow travelers.
Jess, you always have the most interesting articles. Thank you!
I had no idea that taking your shoes had all Of those positive benefits, I don’t do it much but I’m going to start doing it more! (it also makes me feel like a kid again! Another benefit!)
I’m loving the greenness of the leadwood forest and the idea to enjoy it by going barefoot. Wearing shoes is overrated and I wear them as little as possible- never inside the house. Walking on grass or the beach is soothing, free from the constraints of man made foot prisons, that allows one to be close to earth. Great blog.
I grew up barefoot and now with every opportunity I still love to enjoy the warmth of the earth beneath my feet. You are so right mother earth heals us all in amazing ways. 🙏💕
thank you Jess, the leadwood forest is one of my favourite places for the morning coffee/tea break. Will look at it with different eyes next time
Brilliant in sharing this! It is so important-yes! Years ago a friend was shocked with 220 volts at work. It knocked him across the room. For several days after he was spacey, headaches and just didn’t feel right. I suggested he take his shoes off and put his feet into the Earth. He poopooed it until he was so fed up one evening with the symptoms he did it. He claimed he could literally feel all of the electricity in his body drain out of him and into the Earth for several minutes. He immediately felt himself again, no more headaches or physical symptoms he was completely back to normal. We mostly wear rubber or plastic soled shoes which keep all of the EMFs residing in our body from (as you stated) the WiFi, microwaves, radios, tv etc… it needs to be released back into the Earth. We need the connection to this planet on a constant basis-on so many levels. Love Londolozi and what you all are doing there. Healing the -lanes and her children! Beautiful articles and photos!
Fascinating blog Jess! I’m taking my shoes off as we speak and heading outside for a little connection! Thanks for the tip!!
Jess, Thanks the wonderful reminder of being in the moment and having a greater appreciation of our surroundings!