10 Ways to Stay Grounded
When anxiety or painful memories become too much, exercises that help you stay grounded in the present can be helpful.
Part of the magic of grounding practices comes from becoming more aware and more present in the moment, which creates safety in your nervous systems, and helps to dissipate strong emotions.
Here are some suggestions - a few versions of the practice to add to your arsenal of helpful healing tools.
BARE FEET ON THE EARTH
Take your shoes off, get outside and (weather permitting) get your bare feet on the grass, or soil. Even putting your hands in the soil of a pot plant can be helpful if getting outside isn't an option. There are a multitude of benefits to getting your hands or feet on or near earth.
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FIVES SENSES
Looking around the space you are in and labelling what you see, or picking up and touching things can help you stay in your body, in the present.
COUNTING
Whether forward or backward, counting can help slow or move away from unhelpful thinking. When our mind races it can sometimes loop in a seemingly endless way and keep us stuck in memories of the past or fears of the future. Reciting any list, like the alphabet, or even the lyrics of a song you know well, can have a similar effect.
BEAUTIFUL PLACES
Looking at images of beautiful places, people, or things, that give you pleasure can help to bring a sense of safety back into your nervous system. Images can also reach more ancient (pre-verbal) parts of your brain that refined language and words may not get to.
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WATER
Getting in water, washing your hands, or looking at bodies of water are known to have a calming effect by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
COMFORT ZONE
Wrapping yourself in a warm blanket or cuddling a fluffy pillow can be soothing. Getting into pyjamas and finding a soft and snuggly spot could be just what the doctor ordered.
SOUND
Finding soothing music, or healing frequencies, is a great way to access deeper levels of calm when the going gets tough.
AROMATHERAPY
Essential oils, high-quality incense, smoking herbs, or sprays are an excellent way to soothe the system. Favourites that I continually return to include citruses like lemongrass, orange, lemon and lime, as well as woody scents like cedarwood, palo alto, frankincense, or sandalwood.
NOURISHMENT
Whole foods, chicken soup, dark chocolate, green salads.... these are all go-to foods when I'm feeling super low and need some boosting. They can support the body with highly nutritious elements and help to navigate dips in energy. Sometimes a trip to the naturopath when you're feeling better can be in order to check for more long-term or serious nutrient deficiencies.
WALKING IN NATURE
Last but not least, the power of walking in nature and being conscious to your natural breathing, your footsteps, or simply the natural sounds of the bush can be incredibly good as a circuit breaker when things get a little bit too much.
