We are always conscious and in support of self-care and the health of our SAGA Team. Inner wellness and overall balance is essential to one’s personal and professional success. In August, we challenged our team to balance or re-balance themselves on a regular basis with friendly co-worker competition. We believe the Outer Banks is a perfect place for this kind of practice and to be in touch with Mother Earth and nature. Who doesn’t love a good challenge?
Earthing is physically, mentally and spiritually beneficial. Earthing or grounding is putting the body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. This means that skin needs to touch soil, sand, water, or a conductive surface that is in contact with the earth. From a scientific perspective, the idea is that the earth has a mild negative charge to it. Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies build up a positive charge. When your bare feet or skin comes in contact with the earth, free electrons are taken up into the body. The Earth is a conductor thus direct contact with the earth can even-out this positive charge and return the body to a neutral state. So many of us wear rubber shoes and live indoors. In theory, many of us could go years without directly touching the earth at all, even if we’re outside.
Why Earthing/Grounding
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing chronic pain
- Improving sleep
- Increasing Energy
- Neutralizes free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that damage cells
- Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones.
- Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm
- Normalizing blood pressure and blood flow
- Relieving muscle tension and headache
- Reducing jet lag
- Protecting the body from effects of EMF
- Reducing snoring
Ways To Get Earthed/Grounded
- Sit, stand, lay or walk on grass, sand(beach), dirt
- Swim in the ocean or lakes (not pool)
- Garden with bare hands
Go barefoot outside for at least 20-30 and see what a difference it makes on your pain or stress level.
SAGA Earthing/Grounding/Walk Barefoot Challenge
Living and working in such a beautiful place as the OBX we should make use of it to ground ourselves every day. We encouraged everyone to reconnect again with nature and feel the extra gush of energy that Mother Earth has for all of us. Family participation was also encouraged!
About the Challenge: 
All the participants were asked to Earth themselves in one of the ways below, for minimum 20 minutes for 21 days between August 9th and August 30th.
- Sit, stand, lay or walk on sand(beach), grass, dirt
- Swim in the ocean or sound (not pool)
- Garden with bare hands
Challenge Results
Our team was excited and motivated to take on this challenge. We cannot wait to do it again. Read below the feedback from our SAGA Realty & Construction team.
“This made me conscious to go out to the beach each day and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to relax each evening. It really helped me to feel more peaceful and less stressed each evening. It is so easy to get busy in our daily lives and forget to stop and appreciate the beautiful area that we live in and all that it can offer us. My goal is to continue doing this as often as I can!!”
“I too have benefited being connected to the earth. Quite literally, I am doing push-ups and getting a super close up view of the sand and shells or doing sit-ups as the ocean washes over me in the surf, as well as taking a few moments watching the sunrise. I will make a conscious effort to continue this practice for my mind, body and spirit. I feel grateful to be part of this and receiving the extra information which made my boot camp experience more meaningful as I often think about the earth connection while I am sweating / moaning.”
“This was a beautiful experience for me. I loved being in touch with mother Earth. There are certain things so simple but can be so meaningful. It wasn’t just a connection to Earth but to the whole nature. I love it when my kids do the same thing with me. I hope to continue this practice.”
“I personally benefited a lot from this. I don’t know if I ever connected with nature like this before. Lot of evenings, I would be tired but ocean and wet sand would call me to be there to witness that beauty. It would be one of the most rejuvenating things to do. I gained so much wisdom from this exercise. Nature has so much to teach us whenever we are ready to listen. I feel so much better connected with Mother earth. It makes me value all the food that comes from Earth. Now I am much more conscious when I eat and walk. I am grateful beyond words for this opportunity.”