Our digitally-driven world is changing rapidly. Each day seems to bring more fast-paced shifts for us to navigate. With all of this change, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, scattered, or disconnected. Finding moments of calmness and connectedness has become increasingly crucial for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This is where the concept of grounding comes into play. But what is grounding and why is it important? Glad you asked!
At Xenana Spa in Portland, OR, your whole-person wellness is at the heart of what we do. We offer grounding massages, facial treatments, classes, and more to help you feel your absolute best in this fast-moving world. Schedule your appointment today, and we’ll see you soon!
What is Grounding?
The brief answer to this question is that grounding is the habit of connecting to the present moment and establishing a sense of stability within yourself. It also involves a physical connection with the earth, such as standing barefoot in the grass. The idea behind this practice is to reconnect with the earth’s energy in ways we have lost as our world has become more insular and high-tech.
Also called earthing, grounding allows you to anchor your awareness to the here and now, to feel calmer and more focused. Grounding techniques vary widely and can include anything from specialized massage treatments to simple breathing exercises, to barefoot walks on the beach.
Why is Grounding Important?
The process of grounding can offer significant benefits to those who make it a consistent habit.
Stress Reduction
Grounding serves as a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety levels. Moving your focus away from racing thoughts or worries helps you alleviate feelings of overwhelm and regain a sense of calmness. Treatments such as the Xenana Spa Grounding Massage focus on your feet and legs to bring relaxation and stress relief.
Physical Wellness
The energetic exchange you experience with grounding techniques provides tangible benefits for your physical health. Research indicates that earthing can reduce inflammation, speed up healing, improve sleep quality, and boost the body’s immune function.
Lower Cortisol Levels
Produced by our kidneys, cortisol is a very important hormone that serves to protect us when we need to kick into a fight-or-flight response. In a balanced hormone system, it ebbs and flows throughout the day, dropping in time to help you fall asleep at night.
Unfortunately, many of us are living with chronically elevated cortisol levels, even when our bodies are not in danger. High cortisol levels that don’t drop when needed can lead to ongoing problems like weight gain, disrupted sleep, digestive concerns, and skin issues.
A grounding practice helps your cortisol levels balance and align with your body’s circadian rhythms. This rebalancing helps promote better sleep, healthier digestion, and clearer skin.
Xenana Spa Is Ready To Help
Grounding is most effective when it’s part of your life each day, but that doesn’t mean you have to devote hours to get the benefits. Even spending 10 minutes a day barefoot outside can have a great effect on your mental and physical well-being. And when getting outside isn’t possible, take time to focus on your breath and your sensory input to feel calm and connected.
At Xenana, our team is here to help you achieve your wellness goals in any way we can. Our grounding massage and individualized facial treatments all help your body and mind feel calm and supported for optimal health. The grounding massage particularly focuses on your feet and lower body to help promote a feeling of being grounded. And the hot towels and essential oils are so luxurious! Book your appointment today to connect with your happy, healthy self.