Grounding for Muscle Growth

In Issue #13, we talked about breathing as a tool to lower cortisol and shift your body into an anabolic, parasympathetic state.

Today, we go one layer deeper — literally — by connecting us to the ground itself.

Let me introduce you to electrical physiology.

Grounding: What It Is (and Why It Works)

Grounding or “earthing” means making direct skin contact with the Earth — barefoot on grass, sand, rock, or soil — or using conductive tools (like mats or sheets) that are plugged into the Earth’s electrical field.

Why does this matter?

Because the Earth has a negative electric charge, full of free electrons. When you connect to it, those electrons flow into your body, neutralising excess positive charge and inflammation, improving nervous system tone, and lowering stress signals.

You can think of it like discharging static buildup in a system constantly overloaded by blue light, hard floors, synthetic shoes, EMFs, and artificial environments.

What does it have to do with Cortisol?

You already know cortisol is catabolic. You’ve learned how breathing affects it. Grounding doesn’t replace that — it amplifies it.

In fact, studies have shown that people who sleep grounded:

• Regulate cortisol rhythm more effectively

• Wake up less during the night

• Experience faster muscle recovery and lower inflammation

What does it mean for us?

1. Faster recovery = higher training volume

2. Lower inflammation = better appetite, digestion, insulin response

3. More parasympathetic tone = better nutrient partitioning into muscle

In other words, the same calories and same program can yield a different body if our nervous system isn’t in chronic fight-or-flight.

Grounding on the Holy Bulk: How to Apply It

The good news is that we don’t need to move to the beach or the mountains. If you're running a holy bulk, this is how to give your body every edge:

1. Wake-Up Grounding (10–30 min)

Start the day barefoot on a patch of grass, concrete, or dirt while sipping juice or salt water. This anchors your circadian rhythm and sets up your first cortisol drop of the day. Try to match that time with sunrise and sun gaze as the sun goes up. As Dr. Jack Kruse would say: “Make like the sphinx”. In other words, look east as the sun rise and connect with the ground on all fours.

2. Post-Workout Grounding (10–15 min)

After training, instead of sitting in a car or office, spend 10 minutes barefoot on the ground (even lying on your back if you can). Your nervous system shifts faster, and soreness tends to drop the next day. If you are having your post-workout meal at the same time, even better.

3. Sunset Grounding

Pair with a walk, light stretching, or nasal breathing to close the cortisol loop before dinner or sleep. Indeed, when grounding, you don’t have to sit still. You can find a safe and clear path on a beach or a park and walk barefoot.

4. Grounded Workout

Lifting, sprinting, or doing bodyweight work directly on grass, sand, or soil (barefoot) lets you:

• Train with instant electrical grounding

• Reduce joint impact and static tension

• Get sunlight, fresh air, and parasympathetic feedback as you move

Plus, training in nature seems to blunt cortisol response, increase nitric oxide, and improve mental clarity.

Optional: Grounded Sleep

I have never tried this yet but it seems you can use a grounding mat or sheet connected to a grounded outlet when sleeping. People report deeper sleep, fewer wake-ups, and faster recovery. Might be worth a shot!

🧠 Final Word

You can hit your protein target, crush your lifts, and eat perfectly — but if your nervous system is stuck in “survive,” the bulk won’t go right.

Grounding is low-effort, free, and backed by surprising research. Along with breathing, It’s one of the few biohacks that doesn’t rely on supplements, gear, or stimulants.

Turns out there is wisdom behind the infamous “go outside and touch grass”.

Sainté,