In these uncertain times, we need to stay grounded more than ever. We may not be in control of what’s happening around us, but staying grounded helps us respond more positively to whatever life throws at us since we are more in control of our feelings and thoughts. Being grounded also allows us to accept situations even if they are inconvenient or difficult. We can think more clearly so that we can make sound decisions and have no regrets.
What does it mean to be grounded?
Staying grounded means:
Maintaining emotional and mental balance
Being deeply in touch with yourself
Staying focused on the “now” (present)
Recognizing your self-worth
Having a sense of purpose
Being able to connect to nature
Believing and trusting yourself
Making space for mindfulness
Being grounded is one of the most effective ways to take care of your mental and emotional health. But keep in mind that people who stay grounded also get upset or worried. No one is immune to life’s challenges. But when you are grounded you are less likely to be overwhelmed by upsetting events. You may get side-tracked, but if it happens, you can quickly realign yourself to maintain your balance.
Literally speaking, being grounded means having your feet on natural ground. So for instance, even if there’s a typhoon, you won’t get blown over because you feel grounded and so connected to the roots of the earth. It’s a state of mind that we can cultivate through various practices that will be discussed below.
Helpful Tips to Get Grounded
From lowering stress levels to loving and believing in yourself, staying grounded has so many benefits. Start living your life more fully with these proven grounding techniques:
Listen to music
Music carries some energy to help you balance out your emotions. When you feel anxious and stressed out, play some songs that relax you. Clear your head with other thoughts and simply focus on every note.
Physical grounding techniques
As the term suggests, physical grounding is all about focusing on your senses and becoming more aware of your physical surroundings. Here are some physical grounding practices you can do:
Breathe deeply – Breathe in deeply and count 1. Hold breath and count 2, then exhale and count 3. Feel each breath. Do this every day. It’s one effective method that can instantly help you stabilize your emotions.
Place your hands in water – Place your hands in warm water first then cold and vice-versa. Focus on how the water feels on your palms and fingertips.
Go for a walk – Focus on your steps and take note of the rhythm of your steps and how it feels to have your foot on the ground.
Savor your food or drink – Allow yourself to savor each bite or each sip of food or drink that you enjoy. Take time to fully enjoy how it smells and tastes.
Be active – Stretch out and exercise. Pay attention to how your body feels while you move.
Savor a favorite scent – Whether it’s the smell of a cup of tea or the fragrance of your favorite scented candle, take time to enjoy the scent by slowly inhaling the fragrance while noting its qualities.
Feel the earth directly under your feet – Take off your footwear and relish the feeling of the grass and dirt under your feet. This can help you relax and balance out your energy.
Mental grounding techniques
To redirect your thoughts back to the present and away from distressing thoughts and feelings, practice these mental grounding exercises:
Think in categories – Pick 1 or 2 broad categories, for instance, “reptiles,” or “tennis players.” Mentally list as many names from each category as you can.
Recite a poem or a song you memorize – Recite it silently or only in your head. If you choose to recite it aloud, take notice of the shape of each word in your mouth. When reciting the words in your head, visualize each word in your head.
Visualize a calming scene – It could be a time spent on the beach, listening to the waves reaching the shore, or any scene that is serene where you feel relaxed.
Take a few minutes to describe your surroundings – Use all your 5 senses to make a detailed description of what’s around you.
Practice self-soothing techniques
If you are feeling down and defeated, repeat compassionate phrases to yourself such as, “It might be difficult now, but you’ll make it through.” You can also try touching something that gives you comfort. It could be your favorite blanket, or you can also put on your favorite scarf. Take a moment to feel the sensation of the fabric as it touches your skin.
Meditation
Meditation has been around for centuries and remains to be widely practiced to this day. There’s a good reason for it. It’s considered to be one of the most effective ways to ground yourself and find emotional balance. Meditation takes many forms. It can be done while sitting in the known lotus position or by simply sitting in a chair with hands on the lap and back upright. Clear your mind of all thought and just focus on your heartbeat. Remain in this mental state for 10 to 15 minutes a day.
Intuitive Healing & Reiki
To stay grounded you need to focus on the present. This is why you need to resolve past issues that are holding you back. Intuitive Healing (a specific concentration on emotional healing) & Reiki can do wonders in resolving old wounds. It focuses on releasing negative emotions to let go of the past and be in the present. And in some cases, for those who are energetically sensitive, it’s easy to absorb other people’s emotions and bottle them up in our bodies, which is, even more, a reason to do regular energy cleanses to help us get grounded. Moreover, Intuitive Healing and Reiki provide holistic support. It allows your body to calm down by decreasing adrenaline rushes. It promotes mental clarity and reduces stress and anxiety. Consequently, you will experience emotional stability and a clear state of mind, which is what it means to be grounded. To learn more about the difference between Intuitive Healing and Reiki check out an article I wrote here. You can also learn about in-person and distant healing sessions here.
Finding peace and happiness in these uncertain times can be hard. Staying grounded will help tremendously in navigating unavoidable challenges and struggles in life. These grounding techniques can help you maintain emotional stability to prevent you from breaking down and a cool head to think clearly and solve problems under difficult circumstances.
