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The practice of connecting to Mother Earth. Grounding or earthing refers to direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth, such as with bare feet or hands, or with various grounding systems.

Mobile electrons from the Earth enter the body and act as natural antioxidants. They are semi-conducted through the connective tissue matrix, including through the inflammatory barricade if one is present. They neutralize reactive oxygen species and other oxidants in the repair field; and they protect healthy tissue from damage.

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↟ Origination of forest bathing began in Japan in the 80's.

↟ The term "Shinrin-yoku" was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 1982 and can be translated as "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing."

↟ The concept of Forest Bathing draws inspiration from ancient Shinto and Buddhist practices that emphasize the spiritual and healing qualities of nature, as well as Japanese cultural traditions and beliefs that emphasize the restorative powers of nature. Japanese culture has long celebrated the spiritual and aesthetic connections between humans and the natural world.

↟ It was believed that during the 70s the world was realizing the devastating impacts of our disconnect from the natural world and health issues were on the the rise.

↟ Dr. Qing Li, MD, Ph.D. at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo estimates we spend 93% of our time indoors. He identified a nature deficit disorder in society, which contributes to negative feelings about life, but can be significantly improved by just a few hours of forest bathing.

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↟ Open Windows

↟ Have plants

↟ Incorporate decorations that include natural elements such as: rocks, seashells, pinecones, crystals, wood

↟ Listen to forest sounds, waves, wind, rain, etc

↟ Walk outside barefoot

↟ Burn woodsy & natural scented candles

↟ Pictures of nature with greenery can reduce stress

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PHYSICAL HEALTH

↟ Walking in forests contributes to physical movement & exercise

OXYGEN LEVELS

↟ Forests have higher Oxygen levels compared to urban or indoor environments and this leads to a positive impact on the oxygen levels in your brain

MENTAL HEALTH

↟ Pleasant aromas of nature have a positive impact on stress reduction, mood, and emotional well-being aka aromatherapy

↟ Grounding & forest bathing may play a primary role in regulating neurological and nervous system function

GUT HEALTH

↟ Forests are filled with phytoncides - antimicrobial compounds released by trees and plants

Inhaling these compounds during a forest therapy session is beneficial to the immune system

OTHER BENEFITS

↟ Improves Sleep by supporting the natural circadian rhythm

↟ Increases Energy

↟ Lowers stress

↟ Promotes calmness

↟ Normalizes the body's biological rhythms

↟ Improves circulation

↟ Speeds healing

↟ Protects against EMFs

↟ Reduces morbidity

↟ It's FREE

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↟ ALL energy comes from the sun

↟ Sunlight exposure boosts serotonin levels

↟ Exposure to the sun produces Vitamin D

↟ Sunlight assists in the signaling of biological pathways

↟ Exposure to nature's natural light boosts sleep

↟ At least 1,000 different genes governing virtually every tissue in the body are now thought to be regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25[OH]D), the active form of the vitamin, including several involved in calcium metabolism and neuromuscular and immune system functioning.

↟ Vitamin D induces cathelicidin, a polypeptide that effectively combats both bacterial and viral infections

↟ An estimated 42% of people in the US have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/

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I have been in the Health & Wellness industry for over 16 years. I have a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science & Nutrition. I have my own practice - Roots Wellness LLC - where I coach clients to better their overall health and well-being utilizing a holistic and integrative approach. I am a Functional Nutrition Coach, Exercise Physiologist and Health and Wellness Coach holding roughly 15 certifications in the industry including but not limited to: Functional Movement & Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Behavior Change Specialist and Sleep, Stress Management and Recovery coach. I am an avid outdoor enthusiast, traveling, adventuring, and exploring the beaty of our natural world around us.

Nature has provided me with a place of belonging, acceptance and a safe space to be humbled and humiliated by her shear force, energy and power. She continually reminds me to acknowledge the intricate delicacies of life and exploits the importance of harmonious interconnectedness of all living organisms.

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I will be finishing this May from the Health and Wellness Coaching program at FRCC. I plan to sit for the Board exam this July for the NBHWC. From there I will be working on my masters degree in Functional and Integrative nutrition becoming a Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner. I will also be finishing my certification as a certified ecotherapy guide. I will be implementing more of these practices into my current business model to supplement and support clients on their health and wellness journey.

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The Earthing Movie

BOOKS:

Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?

Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, Martin Zucker

Shinrin Yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing

Yoshifumi Miyazaki

Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness

Dr. Qing Li, MD, Ph.D

WEBSITES:

https://www.earthing.com/pages/what-is-earthing

https://www.dovepress.com/the-effects-of-grounding-earthing-on-inflammation-the-immune-response--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JIR#

http://www.forestbathinginternational.org/?fbclid=PAAaYdVeAb0YnhbBH7ri_5DdZ3C7lXfNVhasEnVTz9hClR5EUZhgr2f4RDCsg_aem_ARVXYxzvRNgZ1KUKkWTWJZ_cy1bhbXJvWXnI96D1CjQEBJWa7wtZ3auBc0TclkDnGA8

PODCAST:

http://www.forestbathinginternational.org/podcast.html

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The Earthing Movie: The Remarkable Science of Grounding (full documentary)

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5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Grounding Technique

5 things you can see

4 things you can touch

3 things can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

↟ Earthing, grounding, forest bathing evokes all of an individuals senses to enjoy the moment and elicits a state of presence, feeling fully alive and awareness (mindfulness)

↟ Nature evokes awe, curiosity, wonder, play, inspiration and connection

↟ Nature challenges us with feelings of humiliation due to it's shear power and vastness

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Study:  The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

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Study:  The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

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This study concluded:

↟ Significant reduction in inflammation and a return toward normal thermal symmetry

↟ Increased recovery from wound healing

↟ Test subjects that slept grounded for 8 weeks using a specific grounding mat exhibited normalization in their diurnal cortisol profiles, and most of the subjects reported that their sleep improved coinciding with a decrease in pain and stress levels

↟ Earthing has been shown to increase the surface charge of red blood cells, thereby reducing blood viscosity and clumping

↟ Grounding delays the onset of DOMs (delayed onset muscle soreness)

↟ Increased Immune system function and inflammation reduction:

White cell counts increased in the ungrounded or control subjects. White cell counts in the grounded subjects steadily decreased following the injury. Neutrophils and lymphocytes in grounded subjects were lower than the ungrounded controls.

https://www.dovepress.com/the-effects-of-grounding-earthing-on-inflammation-the-immune-response--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JIR#