“For African Americans especially, these self-care practices were essential for survival during colonization, slavery and Jim Crow.” Michele E. Lee, Working The Root

Earthing became a ritual for me when parenting two small children and supporting four others became overwhelming. I found if I could just go outside to have the personal waking moments with the Earth as she awakened, I would make it through the day. I loved waking up to birds chirping, fresh dew on leaves and blades of grass, blue hues and morning mist all before the sun arose.

But this practice felt natural to me, as natural as hearing an elder after being told someone wasn’t feeling well, “Lay down.” Or “Go outside and get some fresh air,” or when too ill to move too much, “Open up these windows and let some fresh air in!” Earthing and connecting with nature isn’t as ‘new age’ as it appeared since these were practices of my ancestors.