The Body’s Earthly Connection
Today is the era of interconnectedness! But, the most important connection of all is nowhere in sight. This is the connection that we have with Earth. In fact, this connection begins even before we are born, as we are indirectly nourished by it.
This crucial connection can only be understood when we take a break from the daily chores and focus our attention on this important aspect. If you are up for it, then we can understand how much you are conscious of your body, as well as of Mother Nature. So, let’s begin this blog post, which will tell you everything you need to know about our bodies’ earthly connection.
The Incessant Play of Elements
Are you aware of the fact that our bodies are also made up of the same elements that Earth is made up of? Some of these elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and plenty of other minerals. You need to understand that these are the foundation stones of life, which are recycled and reintegrated after many natural processes.
For your information, water makes up 60% of our body weight. This water has been recycled through different water bodies such as oceans, rivers, etc. Even the oxygen we breathe is important for every cellular function to happen smoothly, and is produced by trees and plants. So, each one of our breaths is all thanks to the planet’s magnificent green lungs.
When we consume food, we get the transformed energy of the sun, which is captured by plants and then passed up the food chain. So, it’s a reminder for everyone that our sustenance is gifted to us by the very soil we walk upon. This incessant play of elements reminds us that our lives depend upon the Earth’s natural cycles, along with the resources.
The Inner Ecosystem of Microbiome
You would be surprised to know that beneath the surface of our skin and within our digestive tracts, there are so many microorganisms. This whole ecosystem is known as the microbiome, which has trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes as well. They play a very important role in our health.
In fact, the diversity and health of our gut microbiome are directly influenced by the amount of exposure we have to the natural world. Spending a good amount of time outdoors, gardening, and even eating locally grown food can ensure that plenty of microbes enter the system. These microbes play an important role in absorbing nutrients, immune system development, and mood regulation.
On the other hand, a lack of exposure to natural environments and eating a lot of highly processed food can lead to a less diverse and unhealthy microbiome. It might contribute to many health issues.
Recognizing the microbiome as an extension of the Earth’s microbial diversity shows the importance of having a sufficient amount of interaction with the environment to get a good balance for your own body.
Circadian Rhythms & Natural Light
Do you know that our internal biological clocks, which are most commonly known as circadian rhythms, are impacted immensely by the Earth’s natural light-dark cycle? Even before humans had the luxury of artificial lighting, the sleep-wake patterns were dependent upon the rising and setting of the sun. It synced our physiology with that of the planet’s daily rotation.
Exposure to natural light, especially during the morning time, gives a signal to our brain to diminish melatonin production and ensure that there is enough alertness. On the other hand, the subsequent dimming of light during the evening triggers the release of melatonin, which is crucial in preparing us for sleep. In case there are disruptions to this natural rhythm, which are mainly caused because of the excessive usage of mobile phones and lesser outdoor exposure, it can lead to plenty of problems. Some of those problems are sleep disturbances, mood disorders, and many chronic diseases as well.
All you have to do is realign yourself with the Earth’s natural cues, and you will be all set to fix your circadian rhythm. You can do so by spending sufficient time outdoors during the daytime and lessening your exposure to artificial light, especially during the nighttime.
It is such a simple thing to do, but it gets difficult for so many individuals. However, if you are able to do this, you will inadvertently support your body’s innate wisdom along with bettering your health on so many levels.
Conclusion
You need to understand that knowing about the body’s connection to Earth is a journey which will help you connect to your roots. You might see it as a trend to get back your health or reconnect to Mother Nature, but a thing about trends is that they fade with time. However, your connection to Earth is till the moment you breathe your last, and who knows, maybe even after that.
We live in a world that is regularly facing ecological crises, and there’s a huge human disconnection. So, remembering our lost connection with nature might be the first step in fixing the issues that humanity faces on a daily basis.
We all have heard that we should go back to our roots to simplify our lives. So, understanding our body’s connection with Earth might be a good start on that journey of a lifetime. It’s time to get back to the roots and be grateful to Mother Nature for nourishing us and the whole human race as well along with all other species.
