Do you think about the connection between you and the earth when you wake up, roll out of bed, and put your feet on the ground?

You are an electromagnetic being, grounding energy just like an appliance that is plugged into an electrical outlet, and this connection can be incredibly important in weathering daily challenges.

Grounding involves living inside your body and having a connection with the earth, which allows for an inflow of energy to feed your bodily systems and an outflow of energy to release any excessive charge in your body.

Pay attention to your connection with the ground as you go through your day, and try these strategies to enhance your experience:
- Eat food that comes from the earth.
- Listen to music featuring tribal drumming.
- Receive a hot stone massage.
- Stand in the grass barefoot and feel the earth underneath your feet.
- Wear stones, such as hematite, obsidian, or tigereye.

The easiest way to ground yourself is to simply get out into nature and be mindful of the earth beneath your feet. Imagine energy flowing up through the inner arches of your feet, direct the energy up through your core, and take three deep breaths. As you go through your day, keeping that relationship in mind, you'll no doubt see the benefits of your newfound connection.

Karina Braun is a massage therapist, educator, and author of Creating Peace With Your Hands (Get in Touch, 2009). For more information, visit www.igetintouch.com.