COLUMN: All you need to know! Vitamin G – what is it and where can we get it?

This is not your average vitamin, in fact it’s not even found in food nor do we consume it. It refers to our environment, to ‘grounding’ and ‘green space’ .

In our fast paced and busy environments, surrounded by concrete and technology, we can often become detached from nature which plays such an important role in maintaining our overall health.

Here nutritionist Laurann O’Reilly and owner of Nutrition By Laurann explains some of the benefits of this wonder vitamin, how we can integrate it into our lives and how it can leave us feeling healthier and happier.

What Is Vitamin G (Grounding)?
Believe it or not, we are electrical beings, for example our nervous system, muscles, heart, and brain all function through electrical impulses and because of this it’s important to ground ourselves in nature (the ground). The best thing about it is it’s totally free too!

What Are The Benefits of Vitamin G?
Many studies have found that that the skin to ground connection has long term health benefits which include
- Reducing stress/anxiety
- Improving energy levels/reducing fatigue
- Improving brain function, focus and concentration
- Boosting immunity
- Improving sleep quality
- Boosting mood
- Improving physical health
- Harmonising and stabilising the body’s basic biological rhythms

How To Up Your Vitamin G
It really is all about nature so here are some ideas for how you can reap those amazing benefits
1) Have A Digital Detox:
We can’t deny it, the world has gone a bit digital crazy with everything from our phones, tablets, the tv and being on the computer all day, so it’s no wonder that we’re feeling a little frazzled.
Many have even gotten an unhealthy reliance on artificial stimulation so a good digital detox is an important step for grounding.
Tip: Why not try go digital free, starting with an hour or two a day and expanding it for a little longer. Maybe try reading a real book (rather than from a screen) or meeting friends for an outdoor chat instead.

2) Outdoor Exercising -
Exercise is one of the most effective natural mood boosters as it releases natural feel-good endorphins.
However, by exercising in nature, you also get the added bonus of taking in some of that wonderful nature or Vitamin G.
Tip: Why not make the most of the good weather (when we have it) and think of what outdoor activities that you enjoy, whether it’s walking, running, horse riding or a simple stroll in the fresh air.

3) Go Blue Too:
Blue natural environments such as the sea, lakes and rivers are also a wonderful source of grounding and can often produce the greatest improvement with mood (as salt water is electrically charged).
Tip: Why not try some water sports, a relaxing swim or dip which can massively up your Vitamin G.

4) Wood Walks:
Some people also call this ‘Forest Bathing’. This not only relaxing but it can also help to boost your overall wellbeing.
Think of it more of a mindful walk where you breath in the fresh air, take in the many smells, colours and sounds (even the twigs and leaves under your feet). The Japanese call this “Shinrin Yoku”, which a study in the Journal of Environmental Health Medicine define as “making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of the forest”. This same study found that “forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol (stress hormone), lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than do city environments”, basically having a stress reducing response on the body.
Tip: As studies have found that even a 20-minute dose of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) is enough to alter brain flow to induce a state of relaxation, why not find your nearest woodland and give a mindful wood walk a try with some friends.

5) Go Barefoot:
Obviously when safe to do! Whilst this may sound crazy, real grounding again comes from that skin to earth connection, so why not try going barefoot on the grass whilst gardening, playing in the garden or going for a walk on a sandy beach. Studies have also found that this can also help to improve sleep quality as well as overall sleep duration, so if you’re having trouble hitting the pillow, why not give it a try
In a nutshell, the practice of grounding offers so many benefits for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. From reducing stress, improving sleep and immune function and encouraging mindfulness.
So why not kick off the shoes, feel the earth beneath your feet and take in a little Vitamin G, remember it’s free!