Two Effortless and Budget-Friendly Health Habits

4 Jun 2024

Getting out in the sun: The average American spends around 93% of their day indoors. Something we may not realize is that our biology expects us to be outdoors.

Besides vitamin D which I’ve discussed heavily there are many other health benefits to just being outside:

  • Improved mitochondrial health

  • Better hormonal regulation - sleep, mood, energy

  • Better cognition, productivity, and focus

  • Decreased risk of almost every chronic disease - like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

There are numerous studies and evidence showing the benefits with more sun exposure each day. One study had results that showed a significant direct effect for sunlight penetration on job satisfaction, intention to quit, and general well-being. In addition, even a view of natural elements (i.e., trees, vegetation, plants, and foliage) was found to buffer the negative impact of job stress on intention to quit and to have a similar effect on general well-being.

Grounding: The act of simply touching the ground or earth has been shown to have some very positive effects on your health.

Grounding, also known as earthing, involves direct skin contact with the Earth's surface, such as walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil. This simple practice has been shown to have profound effects on reducing inflammation and improving overall health. This is such a simple way to improve your health that most people may not realize. Here are some of the ways that grounding can improve your health:

  1. Reduction of Free Radicals: Grounding helps to neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage and contribute to chronic inflammation. The Earth’s surface has a natural negative charge, and when you make direct contact, electrons from the ground can act as antioxidants. These electrons help to neutralize free radicals, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting healing​.

  2. Improved Blood Flow: Studies have shown that grounding can improve blood viscosity and flow, which is crucial for reducing inflammation and enhancing tissue repair. Improved blood flow ensures that oxygen and nutrients are efficiently delivered to tissues and that waste products are effectively removed, facilitating better recovery and reducing chronic inflammatory conditions​.

  3. Reduced Pain and Stress: Grounding has been found to reduce pain and stress levels, both of which are closely linked to inflammation. Chronic pain often leads to increased stress and inflammatory responses in the body. By grounding, individuals can experience a calming effect on the nervous system, which in turn helps lower the production of stress hormones like cortisol that are known to exacerbate inflammation .

  4. Better Sleep Quality: Improved sleep quality is another benefit of grounding, which indirectly reduces inflammation. Quality sleep is essential for the body’s repair processes, and poor sleep can increase inflammatory markers. Grounding has been shown to regulate sleep patterns by normalizing the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep and a subsequent reduction in inflammation.

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