The Executive's Guide to Flourishing: Why It's Time for Barefoot Leadership
As a senior executive, your days are likely filled with back-to-back meetings, high-stakes decision-making, and the perpetual demands of leading a team and an organisation. Yet, amidst this hustle, have you ever paused to wonder why, after a walk on the beach or a moment in the garden, you feel so profoundly rejuvenated? An answer lies in a simple yet powerful phenomenon: grounding.
As inhabitants of concrete jungles, we've lost touch with the world beneath our feet. The earth that provides us sustenance and life has become a mere backdrop in our fast-paced lives. But have you considered the impacts of this disconnect and the opportunity that regular reconnection offers?
Every holiday season, we revel in the bliss of nature, feeling rejuvenated and alive. We take off our shoes on the beach, swim in the ocean, or walk barefoot in the garden or a park. We find ourselves drawn towards nature, it's important to recognise that our bodies are intuitively yearning for connection - a return to the earth, grounding ourselves. It's time to 'bare our sole'.
What is Grounding?
The concept of grounding is straightforward – it’s about balancing the electrical potential of the human body, grounding our energy to the earth. We are bioelectrical beings living on an electrical planet, and our bodies operate electrically. All our cells transmit multiple frequencies that run, for instance, our heart, brain, immune system, muscles, and nervous system.
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. Scientific research over more than a decade indicates that our bodies can be protected and helped—and that we feel better—when we are electrically connected to the Earth.
Impact of Disconnection
Our disconnection from the earth reflects our disconnect from each other, our bodies, and ourselves, leading to imbalances in every quadrant of our lives (for some, this even has a name, NDD, Nature Deficit Disorder). This disconnect also manifests in the rising prevalence of conditions where inflammation in many areas of the body is observed and causes pain and disease. Indeed, the impact of this disconnect goes beyond the physical realm and seeps into our mental and emotional wellness.
As Laura Koniver MD states in her book, "The Earth Prescription", "We are starting to hear more and more about how our disconnect from the earth is causing a disconnect from our innate wellness. Studies reveal how decreased time spent outdoors is associated with anxiety and depression, ADHD, high blood pressure, high cortisol, decreased immune function, decreased memory, and poor-quality sleep. Time spent in nature correlates with improved health, study after study, show how restoring time in nature decreases mental illness improves mood decreases cortisol levels, increases the body's natural anti-cancer protein levels, and natural cancer killer activity, decreases stress, increases the attention span, treats ADD and ADHD, lowers the heart rate, and improves our overall Wellness. Much of this is due to the direct effect of grounding the human body to boost conductive health and to the sole support we receive when opening ourselves, mind, body, and soul, to energetic support, that goes beyond the simple physical support of being grounded, we feel better, we feel uplifted, we feel energised, we feel centred, when you are spending time outdoors".
It's important to note that grounding should be approached with care and awareness, especially if one is under the supervision of their physician, or on regular medication and especially specific medications, such as blood thinning drugs. It might seem odd, but checking with your doctor before starting regular grounding is important, reflecting how far we've drifted from nature. I have seen reports of people being advised by their medical professional to reduce medication, to maintain a correct dosage, after a period of grounding as their underlying conditions have improved, so please check first and maintain regular reviews with your doctor.
The Science
Scientifically speaking, grounding is far more than just a feel-good phenomenon. A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health indicated that grounding could improve sleep, normalise the day-night cortisol rhythm, reduce pain, and decrease stress. The Journal of Inflammation Research also reports that grounding can reduce or prevent symptoms of inflammation (full details of these papers is in the further reading section below).
The authority on grounding is Clint Ober, who literally wrote the book on the subject. In "Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?", Ober, a pioneer in the field of grounding, delves into the science behind the concept, explaining the Earth's natural 'negative' charge and how our bodies, when in direct contact with the earth, absorb this energy (negatively charged electrons). According to Ober, this energy exchange helps to neutralise harmful excess free radicals and reduces inflammation in our bodies. Essentially the ground provides the body mind, a free supply of antioxidants. His work has sparked interest and encouraged research in the field, leading to a deeper understanding of the healing potential of grounding.
With a compelling body of scientific evidence and expert insight, it's hard to ignore the profound impact grounding can have on our lives.
Benefits of Grounding
The reported benefits of grounding are extensive, significant and potentially profound for leaders and their people and include:
1. Mental clarity from improved sleep.
2. Significant stress, anxiety, and depression alleviation.
3. Enhanced mood and feelings of centredness.
4. Harmonious interpersonal interactions due to shared, enhanced moods.
5. Collective reduction in stress and tension, creating more supportive environments.
6. Reduced inflammation enhanced immune system, and improved blood flow.
7. Grounding can help alleviate chronic pain, or disease, and has even helped improve conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and osteopenia.
8. Elite Athletes particularly cyclists, have been using grounding for years to help them heal and recover more quickly from injuries.
9. Restoration of the cortisol and circadian rhythm leading to a rejuvenated feeling every morning.
10. Promoting sustainability and an earth-centric approach in communities and organisations.
11. Healthier communities resulting from shared wellness.
While grounding is being rediscovered modern science, thanks to Clint Ober’s work, indigenous populations have understood and practised its virtues for millennia. It's time we recognise and respect these ancient practices, and integrate them into our lives for our wellbeing, and those that we care for and are responsible for and that of the planet.
Grounding in the Workplace
Organisations and their people can reap substantial benefits from grounding in their workplaces as well. As leaders, we need to consider implementing grounding practices in our organisations. Grounding can enhance performance, reduce stress, lower absenteeism, and promote a more focused, innovative, and harmonious work environment. Simple steps, like incorporating grounded workstations or areas for encouraging barefoot breaks, can have a profound impact.
For those regularly working from home, this can offer more obvious and easier access to grounding than those in tall city office buildings. I understand the challenges of grounding in the city. But there are ways. Perhaps it's time to reconsider the hard landscaping outside your office or your path at home or garage floor or driveway. If uncoated stone or bare concrete, these surfaces may potentially offer opportunities for grounding. For those leaders and developers taking and creating buildings and workplaces, considering the options and opportunity for grounding in the design of the space, could yield enormous wellbeing and productivity benefits for the people occupying the space.
I often recommend to executive clients and friends, to remove their shoes to improve energy, counteract jet lag or even to invigorate creativity as it can yield surprising results. The curious glances I receive are testimony to how grounding, though innate to our species, has become an unfamiliar concept in urbanised, modern settings.
The Integral Approach to Grounding
So, how do we incorporate this even more into our lives? Go barefoot in your garden, the park, on the beach, or even on grounded spaces inside your home. You can incorporate it so many easy ways, at work, at home and even when doing exercise. We love to practice yoga, barefoot and without mats outside on the beach, or on the lawn, better for the environment (no plastic-based mats) and us. However, you approach it, grounding should be an integral part of your integral wellbeing practice.
Approaching grounding from an integral 4-quadrant perspective is an enlightening endeavour, presenting a lens through which we can understand and experience its manifold benefits. When we harness the "I" quadrant, we dive deeply into our subjective experiences, recognising the mental and emotional transformations that grounding ushers in. The "WE" quadrant emphasises our collective consciousness, illustrating how grounding can harmonise interpersonal dynamics and cultivate a shared ethos of well-being.
Venturing into the "IT" quadrant, we're drawn to tangible outcomes—the evident physiological and health enhancements grounding offers. And the "ITS" quadrant expands this understanding to a systemic level, showcasing how grounding, when embedded into organisational and community structures, can engender a ripple effect of benefits, from corporate to societal well-being. Embracing all four quadrants provides a comprehensive, interconnected map, ensuring that we don't just see grounding as an isolated act but as an integrated part of our personal, relational, and societal fabric.
4 Quadrants of Integral Grounding
An Invitation
I invite you to 'earth' yourself more consciously than you already do. Grounding is not just a one-off practice; it can be a fundamental part of your way of life. A way of life that may offer better balance, wellness, and a deep, profound connection with the Earth.
In an age where disconnection, from ourselves, others, and our environment, is a growing concern, grounding emerges as a beacon. It’s a return to basics, a reaffirmation of our bond with the Earth and each other. As executives, as leaders, as humans, integrating grounding into our lives might be one of the most impactful decisions we make, not just for us but for the organisations and communities we lead. It's time to take of your shoes, time to bare your sole.
Grounding is available free, accessible to everybody who chooses it, and in my opinion, beneficial and fundamental to our wellbeing. It's an essential part of our connection to the Earth, to each other, and to ourselves. That is why I make it an integral part of my own wellbeing practice and why we incorporate it into our coaching and retreats. As leaders, it's time we walk barefoot towards a grounded, balanced, and prosperous future. It's time for barefoot leadership.
Further reading and resources
I understand you may have questions and doubts and I encourage you to do your own research and make your own observations and reflections. Here are some resources to get you started, I do not endorse any products sold by any of the following organisations nor am I paid by them.
Books
“Earthing the most important health discovery system” by Clint Ober
"The Earth Prescription" by Dr Laura Koniver MD
Documentaries, Presentations and Movies
Dr Laura Koniver MD The Healing Power of Earth https://youtu.be/4lwOKrWK1vY
“Down to Earth the Earthing Movie 15-minute short film” https://youtu.be/EcHEWH8Eh0Q
“The Earthing Movie, the remarkable science of Grounding (full documentary)”. https://youtu.be/44ddtR0XDVU
“Grounding” – the grounding documentary film about Earthing https://youtu.be/cRW0XO2xWn4
Links to Medical Studies & other websites
Journal of Environmental and Public Health:Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 291541. [Link to the study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/
Journal of Inflammation Research: Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of Inflammation Research, 8, 83–96. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/
More resources including links to medical studies please see - https://earthinginstitute.net/research/ and
Laura Koniver’s MD website https://intuition-physician.com/safe-grounding/
Remember that while these studies provide insight into the benefits of grounding, the field in modern science is still relatively new and growing. It's essential to approach such topics with an open mind and a critical perspective, considering the breadth and depth of scientific evidence available. Always consult with healthcare professionals when making decisions based on scientific research.
Important Notice
Warning and Disclaimer
Medical Considerations:
This is not medical advice nor the substitute for medical advice.
If you’re on medication or under medical supervision or have any medical devices, speak to your doctor/physician or other relevant medical professional before undertaking any grounding activities.
Equipment Safety:
If you choose to use indoor devices, such as but not limited to, grounding mats and sheets, please in addition to medical advice, get the electrical system you intend to use tested and certified safe by a qualified electrician first. There is danger and a potential threat to life from connecting devices to incorrectly wired sockets. Please don’t take risks, always get the system, socket and device tested first (and regularly thereafter).
Grounding Activities indoor or outdoor:
Be careful when walking barefoot or touching the ground or a grounded object with bare skin, and be extra diligent if grounding in water, there are countless ways to cut or injure or harm yourself. Practice with caution, stay safe and always be aware and mindful of the risks, be and stay observant and careful of your surroundings.
Informed Decision Making:
Your safety and well-being are paramount. Engage in thorough research, employ all your senses, and be mindful of potential risks. Engage in grounding solely at your own discretion and risk.
Liability Statement:
This blog serves as an opinion and informational piece. Integral8 Ltd holds no liability for any harm, injury, or loss resulting from the practices suggested herein.