Do what the Bushmen in Africa have done for years.
This method of obtaining optimal health is so simple you may discard the idea at first.
But don’t, because the simplest things are often the best.
Nature Cures!
We all know that just being in nature can be very healing.
It’s why I go to Africa, the place for an ultimate nature fix, and blog about how we can all get more Africa inside of us.
Free-Radicals
We also know our bodies are full of free radicals from heavy metals, air pollution, chemicals, trans- fats.
We take antioxidants, remove the mercury from our teeth, eat organic… all in an effort to fight those disease causing free-radicals.
Earths Ions
The earth is full of negative ions. And guess what negative ions are good for? Yep, fighting free radicals.
The earth’s negative ions are available for free, for the benefit of keeping us in optimal health.
So, how do we get more of what the earth has in abundance to heal us?
How do we soak up those negative ions?
this is a big hint… P.S. not my foot
Bushmen Healing
What we have to do to get enough of them for optimal healing is something the bushmen in Africa, and
other indigenous tribal people, have done naturally for eons: touch the earth.
But in a specific way.
The Naked TruthWe need direct, naked, bare skin contact with the ground.
I’m sure you can imagine all sorts of ways to do this, but the simplest is to take your shoes OFF.
It turns out that our feet will soak up zillions of negative ions if we just give them the chance.
check out the feet of all these children
There is a newish movement called Earthing, with lots of scientific studies, to confirm what I’m telling you.
But all I needed to do was try it.
As I write this, I’m sitting in my garden on a chair with my bare feet
touching the damp ground (wet earth is better for conductivity).
It feels SOOOO GOOD.
So be like the bushmen: walk barefoot. At the beach, at the park, or around your garden.
Lying on the ground works too. Afterwards, let me know how you feel.
Catching a nap while naked hands and arms soak in the ions.
* the featured photo of the San Bushmen is from the expedition Tracks of Giants
From the time of my first trip to Africa on assignment as a fashion model in 1984, to my recent role as Africa Adventures Specialist for the Jane Goodall Institute, I've traveled to or lived in eleven African countries. Deepening my life long passion to nature and animals happens easily in Africa, but Africa remains 
20 comments
gary denny says:
Jun 19, 2012
yes…. it also grounds our electrical system
thanks for sharing Lori
lori says:
Jun 19, 2012
yes, the other name for earthing is grounding which is literally what you say. So simple and effective.
Steve says:
Jun 19, 2012
Wow–interesting and simple. I’ve done it before without really thinking about it-but will do it more oftern and with more intention. Where did you find this information?
Lori says:
Jun 19, 2012
I have known about it for awhile but you can find out more by using the link in the post to Earthing.
Yeah it is so simple and really does seem to work. Even though I grew up barefoot in Florida, I have to consciously remember to take my shoes off now. As adults we block ourselves off from so much of the good stuff in life.
Josee says:
Jun 19, 2012
I can recall an amazing feeling of well-being, lying on Saunder’s Rock, eyes closed, with the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean muting all human conversation around me. Perhaps you did that, too…. ?
And now I realize that it was, of course, more than just sun and sea, but really the charge from beneath me!!
lori says:
Jun 20, 2012
Nice to hear from you Josee. Sounds wonderful, I can picture you there and my guess it was a combination of everything that you were experiencing that day. And there is no reason you cant recapture that moment on the beach near you. take off your shoes and go for it. Remind me, where is Saunder’s Rock?
Josee says:
Jun 20, 2012
Bantry Bay, Cape Town – in that cul de sac just past the old aquarium.
It was named after that enormous rock formation, sometimes inaccessible at high tide.
I miss it!
Cathy says:
Jun 21, 2012
Lori! This is great! I love reading your natural tips on how to stay wholesome and healthy. It all makes a lot of sense and we need to bring back these helpful habits back to America. Thank you!!
Cathy Trails
Barbara Savage says:
Jun 21, 2012
You’ve inspired me to get off the computer right now and to do some gardening! I too have been very inspired by the San Bushman and other indigenous people I have worked with on Tribal Trust Foundation projects. However, one sometimes needs to be reminded sometimes to practice what we learn. Thanks!
Traditional African Healing Method says:
Jun 25, 2012
[...] African Healing [...]
Martin Zucker says:
Jun 25, 2012
Hi Lori
I read your tantilizing blog. As the co-author of the Earthing book, I am always on the lookout for specific practices or knowledge in indigenous traditions where contact with the Earth has been used prescriptively. We know they have always know about the healing properties of the Earth, and while they have often gone barefoot through life or used conductive animal hides for footwear, it would be interesting to know if Earth contact was used for therapy. The Bushmen have their num practice and using the Earth’s healing energy in the Giraffe Ceremony. If you come across any interesting tidbits or sources of indigenous knowledge, let us know. I’m at info@earthinginstitute.net
Lori says:
Jun 26, 2012
Hi Martin, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I have been with the Bushmen for their trance dances which they perform with barefeet. I am sure they understand that the Earth is a source for healing, but how the Bushmen explain the earth’s healing would be the interesting part. I have a couple of people I can ask about this. I will send them your way.
Maya Shaw Gale says:
Jul 7, 2012
Hi Lori,
So glad you are turning people on to this concept! Since childhood I have had maybe not Africa inside of me, but the Earth inside of me. I have always loved to go barefoot and lie on boulders, sand, grass whenever I am in pain or feeling low energy.
And I recommend this to my coaching clients as a stress relief practice. Many people in our culture have what Richard Louv calls “nature deficit syndrome”. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get the Congress & our President to do this every day? Maybe they would be making different decisions!
lori says:
Jul 8, 2012
Hey Maya, It is so nice to hear from you on this blog. You mention having the Earth inside of you…so happy to hear you express it that way. That is the same thing I mean when I say this blog is to help people bring Africa inside: a deeper connection to the natural world to cure all the symptoms of our “nature deficit syndrome.”
Michelle et al could do some serious earthing on the White House lawn. Good suggestion. She has an organic veggie garden there, so she is on the right track.
dearrosie says:
Jul 13, 2012
Hi Lori
Six degrees of separation. I was really interested when my friend Josee told me about you and this post, because I remembered you. I’ve been to your blog before when another friend linked to you when you wrote about your fantastic idea of saving plastic bags in Uganda.
I just walked the Camino to Santiago de Compostela with a Canadian woman, Sue Kenney, who walked the Camino barefoot for the reasons you explain above i.e. to soak up those negative ions.
http://rosannefreed.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/walking-in-spain-the-camino-to-santiago/
Lori says:
Jul 13, 2012
Hi Rosie, So nice to see you here. That is so great that Sue hiked all that way without shoes. WOW. Impressive.
Just walking that, with or without shoes is impressive. Well done. I hope you will stay in touch.
Nancy MacMillan says:
Jul 19, 2012
Lori, what an amazing new blog! I love it!! Been so busy with my crazy self-publishing I haven’t been viewing my favorites. This is awesome. I was so taken by this post, I just ordered “Earthing.” Can hardly wait to start experimenting. I’ve always been a barefoot nut, my feet hate shoes! I own 10 shades of flip-flops:) You know I love the beach & ocean, now I know why! Been a health nut for decades, now I have something new to study. Thanks!
It was so nice seeing your pretty face again. lol
Lori says:
Jul 19, 2012
I am with you on the flip flops because my feet hate shoes too and i am tall enough that I dont wear anything but flats. I grew up in Florida barefoot and still feel best without shoes. I love that our bodies tell us what they need, if only we would listen like you do about walking barefooted at the beach. Let me know if you find any great new info in Earthing.
Safari Among the Animals | Africa Inside says:
Sep 5, 2012
[...] laid on the earth, absorbing Africa’s negative ions - healing our bodies and souls. We sat silently in the bush with a Masai herder boy, [...]
The Incredible Benefits of Walking Barefoot Daily says:
Dec 2, 2012
[...] More About the Traditional Healing Practice of Earthing Here: Barefoot Health Benefits (via Africa [...]