Mother’s Day – A Good Time to Get Grounded!

Welcome back to this month’s edition of “Ask Giovanna” featuring Wendy Reichental a fellow colleague and freelance writer. 

WR:  It’s hard to believe Mother’s Day is upon us, in the blink of an eye it’s already the next holiday and another year!  For some, this could be a difficult time, made more acute with this ongoing pandemic and not being able to spend time with their loved ones.  For those of us that have lost our mothers, it’s an especially reflective, and emotionally charged time.  I know for me, it’s a time to revisit sweet memories of my cherished mom, and a lot of those have to do with memories of my mom and I doing things related to nature, especially walking along the beach, or foraging for mushrooms in the forests during our summer vacations.  My mom loved nature, the sound of chirping birds soothed her heart, a sunny warm day, and a gentle breeze was golden, she lavished in its simplicity to boost her mood.  I’ve been reading a lot about the practice of “grounding energy” and its benefits, especially when we are feeling sad.  Would you be able to walk us through what this is, and how it can help anybody looking to establish a more resilient foundation for not only reconnecting with nature but coping mechanisms to help us grow, thrive, and ultimately live our best life?

GD:  No small feat Wendy! It’s the million-dollar question “how can we live our best life”?  Where to begin? I think the topic of “grounding” could not be more relevant, given this pandemic and the occasion of Mother’s Day.  So often we attribute and equate material things to happiness and equate accumulating these things to success and a level of accomplishment.  The truth is, what we remember most in life, are our experiences!  Just like you said, remembering walking on the beach with your mom, it’s the things we do together, the time we spend with one another that matters most.  Don’t get me wrong, opening gifts is momentarily gratifying, but memories of family vacations or time spent talking or laughing uncontrollably are what leave us with an indelible and life-long impression.  I think more than ever people are realizing now, while we face this challenging time, the importance of connection, family, friends, and the impact that nature plays in all of it.

Grounding also known as “earthing”, is an ancient therapeutic technique, best described as nutrition for your soul.  It essentially allows us to take flight in all aspects of our lives by participating in activities that “ground” or connect us to the energy of Mother Earth.

WR:  Why does it sound so eerily similar to the philosophy behind reflexology? Are there similarities connecting the two?

GD:  Most definitely there are, with the forefront being the embodiment of energy flow.  Reflexology is the process of stimulating nerves on the bottom of the feet and in so doing it helps to balance us – so that the body can repair and nurture itself.  We aim to help clients align their energy for optimum health benefits.  In reflexology, the bottoms of the feet have long been considered maps of the rest of the body, and in grounding, the feet are also receiving energy currents that have the effect of powering up our vital organs and synchronizing the body systems. The health benefits from walking barefoot come from the relationship between our bodies and the electrons in the earth. These electrons have antioxidant-like qualities in their ability to help with everything from reducing inflammation, improving circulation, insomnia, and depression. Connecting more directly to the earth can calm anxiety and promote serenity, something we could all use a dose of lately.

The other common similarity is that when you are feeling grounded or are having a reflexology session, they both leave you with the same experience, that of having a strong connection between mind, body, and soul/soles. Both can leave you feeling more focused and calmer.

WR:  Can you give us a few more examples and how do you know when you are not grounded?

GD:  The simplest and best example of grounding is to go barefoot outdoors even walking on your backyard grass for ten minutes or doing some light gardening lets your skin connect with the soil and natural ground and can afford you this grounding energy. Visualize any negative energy flowing through your feet back into the earth and safely discharged, allowing you to recharge it instead with positive energy.   Some routines such as yoga are great for grounding as they are usually done barefoot so that you can receive that earthing connection. The mountain or tree pose are great examples of that, you can imagine that you have roots going down from the soles of your feet, through the earth right to its core.  While it may look easy, your unsteadiness and lack of focus or balance could turn this yoga pose into a clue as to what is going on in your inner body.

If you are not feeling grounded, you are probably exhibiting symptoms related to being flighty or nervous.  You are having a hard time concentrating and find it difficult to focus or communicate.  The slightest thing might feel overwhelming for you and you overthink everything.  You might find that you need the instant gratification of material goods, but no sooner do you get it, and you are back to square one.

WR:  I think what’s fascinating is that the term “grounding” has the dual meaning as what you describe as this force connecting us to the earth’s electrons, but it also means being fully present in your body and being in the moment.  The latter is something we all have been perhaps more aware of as we navigate this pandemic and take notice of the things that mean so much to us, like seeing our friends or loved ones through zoom.  We are so much more in tune with the value of hearing a loved one’s voice and the enjoyment of simply hugging, especially in a time where we are told to refrain from expressing this sort of affection.  Perhaps, this crazy time has taught us a lesson about not taking each other for granted and appreciating the simpler things in life?

GD:  I think indirectly, we are slowly coming to this realization, it’s perhaps the only positive outcome from this whole nightmare, to cherish our loved ones, to not sweat the small stuff, and appreciate what you have and those around you. When life hits you with an unexpected plot twist, be like a windblown tree, stay steady, strong, and grounded, and weather the storm, just don’t snap or fall over!

WR:  All great tips Giovanna, and I guess to circle back to it being Mother’s Day weekend, I just want to wish you and all the loving, hard-working, exhausted Moms out there, a meaningful Happy Mother’s Day!

  “A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” – Unknown 

Mother’s Day Month of May 2021! Mom’s will receive a 60 minute Reflexology session for $60. Book early to reserve your spot. * Please note 1 promo per Mom.