CONNECT TO NATURE

My favourite thing in the world to do is to walk along a beach, barefoot, preferably with my dog Gypsy by my side. It connects me with nature and makes me feel calm and grounded.

This was my inspiration and intention when creating nunchi’s Barefoot in the Sand. I call it a grounding spray and have used a blend of essential oils that encourage a sense of calm and a connection to the earth.

There is now scientific evidence that ‘grounding’ and ‘connecting to the earth’ are essential to our wellbeing and health. Our modern lifestyle has created a disconnect between us and the surface of the earth. It is now recognised that this disconnect may be a contributor to chronic illnesses and general un-wellness.

‘Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to making physical contact with the Earth's surface. This emerging evidence shows that this contact with the Earth, simply by being outside barefoot, may be a simple, natural, and yet profoundly effective environmental strategy against chronic stress, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, inflammation, pain, poor sleep, disturbed Heart Rate Variability, hypercoagulable blood, and many common health disorders, including cardiovascular disease. ‘

(Journal of environmental and public health, January 2012)

There are many ways to make sure you are connecting to the earth every day. Most important and most obvious is to make sure you spend time outdoors. As winter comes around this gets a little less inviting but make sure you do it. Think of different ways you can make this connection with nature by doing something you love. Walk in a park and actually touch the trees, work in the garden, swim, surf, practice yoga outdoors, work with clay, arrange flowers, weave using natural fibres or, like me, simply walk barefoot in the sand.

Di