One of the best ways to release stress, shift your mood and build confidence is to focus awareness in your body. Unlike your mind, which constantly frets about the past and worries about the future, your body lives in the present moment. It’s a transmitter of truth, a faithful guide that can help you create balance, harmony and ease.
Grounding yourself is a technique that will enable you to create confidence by tuning into your body and tapping into its wisdom. It entails stopping what you’re doing (especially when you’re distracted, stressed or upset) and noticing body sensations. When life gets crazy and your emotions go haywire, grounding can help you rebalance yourself and avoid anxiety, irritability and depression. Think of the roots of a tree, planted firmly and connected even in the winter ground, resting, yet completely alive despite the weather. By staying grounded or rooted you stay connected to your Self.
Here are some ways to ground yourself:
- Take a walk outside and find something in nature that’s larger than your problems and irritations. Go to a park, walk in the woods or gaze at the stars.
- Do a mini meditation. When you sense you’re getting irritable or anxious slow down your breathing. Close your eyes. Count 10 breaths on the exhale, making each breath a little longer and deeper.
- Sense the energy radiating from the palms of your hands.
- Eat a meal or snack mindfully: Use all of your sense, chew slowly, savor every bite.
- Create a grounding cord: Sit up straight and relaxed with your feet on the floor. Close your eyes, and imagine a cord extending from the base of your spine to the center of the earth grounding you like the roots of a giant tree.
- Light a scented candle (vanilla, cinnamon and pine are soothing) and gaze quietly at the flame for a few minutes.
- Stand up and feel the soles of your feet on the floor. Rock forward and back and side-to-side. Make circles with your knees, feeling the changing of sensations in the soles of your feet.
- Walk barefoot on a grounding surface such as grass, soil, sand or ceramic tile.
Known as The Midlife Whisperer™ Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Registered Dietitian, Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Mindful Self-compassion Teacher, and author.
Great – will practice as required. At this point in my life I am retired, gym beach walking, focus on persons rights that they are part of the universe and entitled to their opinions as I am also so I feel a lot more relaxed since retirement and have a greater sense of well being. Many thanks Mick
Hi Mick, my pleasure. Happy to hear you have a greater sense of wellbeing and are more relaxed. Thank you for sharing. Be well and stay happy, Dr. Ellen
That’s really refreshing..my problem is with time..I’m very busy..working like a bee. I rarely find a gap but I will try. I promise…
No matter how busy we are we can always find a few moments to breath and connect with life. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing! I will be using all of the above next time anxiety strikes 😄👋🙏
All great suggestions. I find closing my eyes concentrating on taking deep breaths works the best for me. I end by saying all is well in my world.
Thanks, Claudia. I love your suggestion as well.
That is great i will make sure i put that into practice. And i know it will be fine.
Walking barefoot is one of the most natural feelings I’ve experienced. My favorite place to be barefoot is in a pine forest, the thick carpet of pine needles on a warm Summer’s day is pure Bliss!
Thanks for sharing, Kevin.
I have previously loved the idea that the body is a transmitter of truth, a faithful guide that can help you create balance, harmony and ease.
Just under a year ago i saw a counsellor who made the comment “the body lies”. I took this to mean re panic and anxiety attacks i suffer that they are not always alerting me appropriately to danger.
I have since found no clear way back to feeling at ease with signs from my body. If i feel anxious should i still go ahead. I do like the sound of walking barefoot on the grass and some of the other grounding exercises.
Hi Ally, it does take time, practice and patience to learn how to listen to your body and understand its signals. It’s helpful to practice a body scan, basically checking in with your body from head to toe, when you are feeling more relaxed rather than anxious. Getting to know your body in a calm state and learning how to listen with love and compassion can help. In terms of panic attacks I think you have to enlist both your thinking mind to assess the situation as you relax your body to get through whatever is triggering the anxiety. It’s helpful here to have meditation practice. Watching your thoughts and listening to your body on the mat makes it easier to do when you’re off the mat. Hope that helps. Thanks for sharing. Be well, Dr. Ellen