Our well-being is intertwined with the natural world in the sense that connecting our bodies to the Earth’s electric charge and calming energy can help stabilize our physical and internal environments.

We live in a fast-paced world where we often live in our heads, constantly thinking, planning, worrying, and yet we forget that our minds are connected to our bodies and the world around us. Mindfulness and somatic therapy help remind us of this connection as they offer ways to slow down, tune in, and restore our balance. The mind, body and earth make up a powerful triad that works together to ground us, heal us, and bring us back to the present moment.

The Mind-Body-Earth Connection

Mindfulness is a tool that teaches us that the mind and body are not separate entities; they are connected by an invisible force. Our thoughts affect our bodies, and our bodily states affect our emotions and perceptions. For example, racing thoughts can lead to tense shoulders and an increased heart rate, while chronic stress can show up as physical exhaustion. On the other hand, if our body is exhausted and has not had enough nutrients, it can affect our mood and elicit unpleasant thoughts. If we can learn to relax our body, breathe deeply and become aware of our senses, the mind will follow closely with calmness. Nature can offer a natural doorway into mindful awareness. Paying attention to the here and now and noticing the processes occurring in the body can begin with engaging the senses. This can look like intentionally noticing the scent of the trees, the sound of birds, the warmth of the sun, or the coolness of the air.

Somatic Therapy and Mindfulness

Somatic therapy is a body-centered therapeutic approach that recognizes how stress, trauma, and emotions are stored in the body. Unlike talk therapy, which consists of talking through problems, somatic therapy uses body awareness, such as noticing tension, breath patterns, or posture, as a pathway to healing. Mindfulness can be tied into this as it consists of noticing our experiences in the here and now with openness and without judgment.

These two processes complement each other, as together they can help regulate our nervous system and increase body awareness. Mindfulness invites us to notice what is happening in the present moment, while somatic therapy pays attention to specific body sensations. When combining mindfulness practices like breath awareness with somatic techniques such as grounding exercises, individuals can recognize what their body needs and use that to shift away from states like fight-or-flight to states of safety.

As was mentioned above, there is a natural connection between the mind and body, and when we extend this connection to the earth, we are adding a layer of grounding. By tuning into the rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of day and night, the elements that mirror the patterns of our own inner lives, we can learn to reconnect with nature. Earthing is a term that refers to bringing the body in contact with the Earth, also known as grounding. A study done by Chevalier (2015) found that when individuals were grounded for one hour, as opposed to those who were not connected to the ground, they had statistically greater improvements in pleasant and positive moods. In the study, both groups of individuals were given one hour to relax in a comfortable reclined chair, and the only difference was that the chairs for the grounded group had patches allowing them to connect with the Earth. This shows that the improved moods were not from relaxation alone but from the mind-body-earth connection that individuals had.

Earthing/Grounding can be a simple process, as simple as:

Walking barefoot on grass
Gardening and feeling the soil
Having your body or parts of your body submerged in a natural body of water
Standing in the rain

An exercise to integrate into your routine this week:

Start with mindful breathing – Take three slow, deep breaths, focusing on the rise and fall of your chest. Notice how your body feels at this moment.
Add a somatic check-in – Ask yourself, “Where am I holding tension?” “What sensations are present in my body?”
Step into nature – Take a mindful walk outside, sit or stand barefoot in the grass. Notice the sensations of the ground with your body, the colours, textures, sounds and smells around you.
Combine them – As you breathe deeply outdoors, notice how the air feels in your lungs, how the ground supports your body, and how your mind responds when you simply allow yourself to be.

If you are interested in exploring the mind-body-earth connection, learning more about mindfulness and somatic therapy, or simply looking to get in tune with yourself and your body, you can reach out to me at teodora.kostadinovska@fancytherapy.ca or call the office at (226) 808-7291. Resources Chevalier, G. (2015). The effect of grounding the human body on mood. Psychological Reports, 11

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