Sunrise and Serenity: Grounding Myself During the Golden Hour

What is it that feels so magical, almost otherworldly, at sunrise? That golden hour when the world begins to awaken from the slumber of nights quiet stillness. When the grass is glistening with the tiny drops of dew. When the birds begin their symphony of songs, calling all the plants and people to awaken once again. Their chorus ringing out at just the right time to awaken us so we may witness the glory that is the first golden rays of the sunrise spreading across the horizon and chasing away the darkness, bringing with it the promise of a new day, a fresh start. This is the golden hour, the time of sunrise and songbirds and dewy grass, the time of day that carries all the promise and possibilities of a new beginning. This is the time I step outside barefoot (often in my nighty. Sorry Neighbors!) to exchanging electrons with Mother Earth and to envelope my body and my senses with the warmth and brightness of those glowing rays, with the invigorating chill of the wet grass on my toes, and with the glorious symphony of the birds. 

This, of course, is called the act of "grounding" and it is by far one of the easiest ways to encourage wellness. We humans are electrical, vibrational beings and just like the electrical in your house needs a ground, so do you! I have found grounding to be so beneficial that I never miss a day, even in the snow and ice I am able to go barefoot for at least a couple minuets. I used to skip all the freezing days as the inhospitable cold on my hands and feet felt like a frigid relentless attack that would take forever for me to thaw out and recover from. But now I actually find the cold invigorating, stimulating, and although it's definitely not my favorite I don't let it stop me from enjoying the outside. I attribute over coming my cold intolerance to the high potency iodine I take, and I'll never go without it again as this allows me to bask in the morning sunlight barefoot every day of the year.

Have you ever wondered why the time of sunrise feels so good? or how grounding even works? Lets dive into this topic with a little evidence to back it up!

Physiological grounding, also known as earthing, involves direct physical contact with the Earth, such as walking barefoot on grass or soil. Mother Earth's surface has a natural electric charge, and connecting to it allows the body to absorb and release electrons, which may have health benefits.

Here's how it works:
1. **Neutralizing Positive Charges**: The human body accumulates positive static charges from modern environments. Grounding helps neutralize these charges by absorbing negatively charged electrons from the Earth and releasing excess positive electrons back. Ever wondered why petting a dog or horse feels so good? Is it because they are continually grounding themselves and we naturally tap into that, getting secondhand benefits?
2. **Reducing Inflammation**: Some studies are finding that these electrons act as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals in the body, which may reduce inflammation and promote healing.
3. **Balancing the Nervous System**: Grounding influences the autonomic nervous system, shifting it toward a more relaxed state, which can lower stress and improve sleep. Lowering stress is one of the best ways to stay well!
4. **Improving Circulation**: It's believed that grounding can enhance blood flow, potentially benefiting cardiovascular health which in turn benefits the entire body.

What is so special about sunrise?

The sunrise offers remarkable benefits to the human body, both physically and mentally. I personally find it almost magical- the silvery fog lingering like a blanket over the fields, the glisten and twinkle of the dew drops on the grass, the sounds of birds greeting and welcoming a new day, the occasional howl of a neighboring wolf, the comforting sound of horses nickering, the regal crow of a rooster commanding and announcing the new day, and the most glorious rays of light peeking over the horizon and through the trees, bathing the land in warmth and light like liquid gold being poured across Mother Earth.   

Besides feeling like you're literally basking in an otherworldly magic, like I do, here are a few tangible benefits of the sunrise:

1. **Boosts Vitamin D Production**: Morning sunlight provides ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which help your body produce vitamin D. This vitamin is crucial for bone health, immune function, and overall vitality.

2. **Regulates Circadian Rhythms**: Exposure to natural light in the morning helps reset your internal clock, or circadian rhythms, signaling to your body that it's time to be awake. This can improve your sleep quality by helping you feel more alert during the day and sleepy at night.

3. **Enhances Mood**: Sunlight exposure triggers the release of serotonin, often called the "feel-good hormone," which can reduce feelings of stress and promote a sense of well-being. It's like nature's way of boosting your happiness!

4. **Improves Eye Health**: Gentle, indirect sunlight in the early hours helps maintain eye health by encouraging proper light exposure without the intensity of harsh midday sun.

5. **Supports Skin Health**: In moderation, sunlight can improve skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.

6. **Fuels Energy and Productivity**: Morning sun exposure can reduce grogginess and elevate energy levels, preparing you to take on the day with greater focus.

It only takes a moment to enjoy the sunrise! What a beautiful and rejuvenating way to start the day!

But what about all the other elements at sunrise, such as the dew on the grass?

Dew on the grass enhances the effects of grounding (earthing) by improving the connection between your body and the Earth's natural electric charge. Here's how:

1. **Better Conductivity**: Dew is essentially water, and water is an excellent conductor of electricity. When you walk barefoot on dewy grass, the moisture improves the transfer of negatively charged electrons from the Earth into your body, enhancing the grounding process.

2. **Cooling and Calming Effect**: The cool sensation of dew can stimulate nerve endings in your feet, promoting relaxation and better circulation, which may amplify the physiological benefits of grounding.

3. **A Natural Connection**: Dew adds an extra layer of sensory experience, connecting you more directly with nature. This can have additional calming and mindfulness benefits, as it encourages you to focus on the present moment.

Every component of the sunrise has a purpose and a benefit, especially the songs of the birds. The chorus of birds singing at sunrise, also known as the "dawn chorus," plays a fascinating role in nature and can benefit people, plants, and animals in surprising ways:

### Benefits for People:
1. **Mental Well-being**: Hearing birdsong is often linked to feelings of calmness, joy, and connection to nature. The rhythmic and harmonic patterns of their calls may help reduce stress and improve mood.
2. **Natural Alarm Clock**: Birds sing at sunrise due to the stillness of the early hours, when sound travels farther and clearer. This natural melody can provide a gentle, refreshing way for people to wake up and start their day.

### Benefits for Animals:
1. **Communication**: For birds, singing at dawn is a way to establish territory and attract mates. It's a critical part of their social and reproductive behavior.
2. **Ecosystem Signals**: The sounds of birds inform other animals about the presence of predators or changes in the environment, acting as an early warning system within ecosystems.

### Benefits for Plants:
1. **Pollination and Seed Dispersal**: Birds that are active during the dawn chorus often contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, as they visit flowers and plants after their morning routine.
2. **Stimulating Growth**: While indirect, the activity and presence of birds during the dawn hours can influence the behaviors of other animals, such as insects, which in turn impacts the health of plants through natural ecological cycles.

The symphony of birds at dawn is more than just beautiful—it's a signal of ecological harmony. And I cannot think of a more harmonious and peaceful time to step outside and put my bare feet onto the cool bare Earth. I'm not always meditating or praying when I'm grounding, I'm often feeding chickens or horses and goats or just walking with my big ole boxer Echo. But I'm definitely getting my grounding in!