Mindfulness/Habits To Stick To When You Aren’t Feeling Grounded
Ignore the unfounded and get grounded
The word grounded is one of those words that’s tossed around a lot without many of us taking a second to let the concept sink in. Are we grounded? And what does being grounded mean? Being grounded is different from sitting in a corner and thinking about our actions because our parents said so. It’is more of a feeling than an action. It means that you are present, in the moment, and at peace. Being grounded means being alert in the present without thoughts or fears surrounding the past or future. The time is now.
But how do we know if we’re grounded or not? Regardless of the scenario, feeling lost, being indecisive, or not feeling connected to those around us are signs that we’re not grounded. If we’re idly scrolling through social media platforms or worrying about things that are not in our control, we are not grounded, nor are we present. However, it doesn’t need to stay that way.
There are small things we can do every once and a while to check in with ourselves and become grounded. Being mindful and feeling grounded can help in all areas of life. From sleeping to being with our kids to making decisions... We can all take the time to become grounded.
Breathing Techniques: Touching base with our breath is a fantastic way to calm us down in the middle of an argument or a stressful day. Breathing is something only you can control and it can have a lasting effect on your mindset when done correctly. According to Talk Space, “Boxed Breathing” is a great way to become centered. What you do is breathe in slowly “for four seconds, hold for four seconds,” and exhale for four seconds. Continue this Boxed Breathing exercise until you feel good. While taking deep breaths, focus on the action itself. Don’t think about the long list of things you have to do or why you’re upset. Close your eyes and visualize the breath circulating in and out of your body. Notice how the air fills your lungs, makes your belly rise, and how it feels to release it all.
Walk It Out: Exercise is an amazing way to remain in the present as you focus on each exercise. But when starting out on this grounding journey, try going for walks first. While setting out on your walk, focus on each step. Step after step, notice how you feel when you walk and what you see while walking. The point is being present on your walk. There’s no music or podcast to distract you from the now. It’s step after step and being whole as you are.
Test Your Senses: Putting your senses to the test is a fantastic way to focus on the now. With each bite you take, focus on the flavors of the dish and how it’s nourishing your body. You can even take an intuitive eating approach where you’re so grounded that you notice when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full, and appreciate the food you’re eating and where it came from. Being aware of your body before, during, and after you eat is a sign of being grounded (or becoming grounded).
Earthing: For any intuitive beings out there, Earthing could be right up your alley. All you have to do is take off your shoes and stand on the Earth’s surface. Sounds easy enough, right? With Earth as your medicine, the “electrical charges” from the Earth are supposed to have a positive effect on your wellbeing. According to Healthline, those who practice Earthing restore their body by doing so. When practicing this technique, take those shoes and socks off and plant those feet flat on the ground. You can also lay flat on the ground to feel more connected to Earth.
Take A Break From Social Media: Taking a break from Instagram, Facebook, and beyond is a great way to live in the now. When aimlessly scrolling on social media, we waste a ton of time comparing our lives to others, wishing we were somewhere else, or looking at a virtual life instead of living our own. Imagine the time we would have if we actually did something for ourselves instead of following other people live their lives.
Take A Feel: Whether you’re sitting on your cozy bed or sitting outside in nature, sit in a comfortable position and look at your hands. Look at the color of the veins on the backs of your hands, wiggle those toes, feel the warmth of your arms. Look, feel, and appreciate the skin you’re in. It’s the only skin you have and it’s doing a hell of a job keeping you safe and secure. Taking the time to feel and acknowledge all the work your body does is a great reset.
There are plenty of ways to slow down, take a break, and to get reacquainted with yourself, but what matters most is noticing when you need help. When do you feel like you need to be grounded? Our bodies are constantly giving us signs that it needs time to recenter; to refocus. If your anxiety is through the roof, you’re having trouble getting along with others, or aren’t feeling good in your skin, grounding has the ability to slow things down and bring the peace that’s missing in your life. After becoming more familiar with grounding, doing it weekly (or even daily) can become an easy part of your routine. Be sure to listen to yourself, connect with your body, and ground yourself.
