Why Recess Is Important (And Why You Should Have Recess, Too)

For about 30 minutes each day, children all across the country are released from their fluorescent lit school buildings into pure freedom. Recess is more than an opportunity to give teachers a little break.  It is a chance for students to socialize, relax, take their shoes off, and maybe spend some time digging up dirt or searching for ladybugs in a patch of grass.

When was the last time you took your shoes off and felt mud gush between your toes? When was the last time you forewent the slippers and chilled your feet in the dewy grass on the way to grab the morning paper? Do you remember a tingling in your feet or legs when you did these things? Did a sense of warmth or happiness rise up into your body?

That sensation is an exchange of electrical energy, a result of direct contact with the surface of the Earth. This process is called “grounding.” The Earth is an electrical planet and our bodies are meant to come into contact with it on a regular basis. During this time, the planet acts as a grounding force to settle all the free radicals within our bodies, kind of acting as a ‘reset’ button.

According to emerging research, Earthing can be beneficial in:

  • Reducing inflammation by defusing excess positive electrons
  • Reducing chronic pain
  • Improving Sleep
  • Increasing Energy
  • Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones.
  • Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm
  • Improving blood pressure and blood flow
  • Relieving muscle tension and headache
  • Lessening menstrual and female hormone symptoms
  • Speeding healing
  • Protecting the body from EMFs
  • Shortening recovery time from injury or athletic activity
  • Helping support adrenal health

Maybe that is why your children always have so much energy!

A quick Google search of “grounding” or “earthing” will pull up web stores promising starter kits and earthing mats. I have a few of these. My personal favorite is the grounding fitted sheet. It is lined with silver thread and plugs into the ground of any outlet. We just need to unplug it during storms. I also have a grounding mat that I can put my feet on while sitting at my desk. It’s great for business trips–very portable!

All that gear I have is nice, but really, if you want to try grounding, all you need to do is set aside a little ‘recess’ for yourself. Go outside, play, rest, and get a little sunshine on your beautiful face. The Earth will take care of the rest.