5 Ways To Feel Grounded

When we feel grounded, we are calm and can think clearly, we can grow and live from a place of stability. Like a huge tree with roots going deep into the earth, we can deal with what life throws at us with more ease…

1 Pause and just breathe

Breathing has such an immediate impact on our mind and body systems and there are dozens of studies that support the use of deep breathing for stress and anxiety management. It’s common to exercise and learn about diet, yet almost no one learns how to breathe properly and most of us spend our days shallow breathing.

Regularly pausing and taking 4 or 5 slow deep breaths immediately affects our nervous system in a positive way as well as improving mood, relieving pain, improving focus, digestion, energy and much more!.

Pause and do it now, sometimes it helps to close your eyes.

Take a deep breath in through your nose for a count of 4….feel you belly expand

Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 4…. and repeat until you feel calmer.

2 Do a body scan

Throughout the day, consciously become aware of the sensations in your body. Take 1 minute to scan your body and notice where you feel any tension, pain or anxiety. Maybe your shoulders are raised, your jaw is clenched or your chest is a little tight.

Whatever the feeling, simply notice and breathe into it. As you inhale, visualize sending breath into that place in your body. Exhale and allow it to relax.

3. Get outside in nature

There’s nothing more grounding that going outside in nature. Even better if you take your shoes off and put your bare feet onto the earth.

The earth is like a huge battery that contains natural subtle electrical charge, a special kind of energy present in the ground. Most electrical things are connected to it, such as your electrical appliances; that what the term grounding means. Being grounded or earthed, also applies to people.

When you are electrically grounded you feel more centred, calm, balanced and less stressed and tense. And of course you also have the benefit of fresh air and scenery to appreciate.

If you can’t get outside, try just noticing your feet flat on the floor, or even sitting on the floor can help.

4 Practice gratitude and appreciation

There are many benefits of gratitude and appreciation. Think about it as a fitness practice for the mind to counteract all the drama and negativity going on around you.

The practice of appreciation and gratitude increases positive emotions and decreases negative emotions, it trains the brain to look for good. Scientists say there’s a lower chance of becoming depressed or of developing mental illness.

Spend some time each day appreciating yourself and the people and things around you. Writing them down can be even more powerful.

If it seems difficult to start with, just thing about the people you love to get you started.

Put these things together and try this short exercise

If you can’t get outside into nature, use a grounding essential oil if you can such as Cedarwood, Vetiver or Frankincense.

1.     Close your eyes.

Sit with your feet on the ground, feel the soles of your feet on the solid ground beneath you.

Put your hand on your heart and bring your focus into your body.

2.     Take a deep breath in through your nose, down in to your belly, and slowly release through your mouth.

Continue these slow deep breaths

3.     Scan your body for any tension.

Notice the sensations one by one and let your breath ease them.

4.     Think about the people, places or things you love.

Appreciate someone or something and allow those feelings of love and appreciation to grow and expand in your body.

When you’re feeling calm and grounded, open your eyes.

5 If all else fails - Have a cup of tea

One of my favourite ways to pause and get out of the noise in my head is to stop what I’m doing and make a cup of tea. Then sit and drink it, outside if I can, with no distractions. Even just 5 minutes can ground you and bring some clarity and calm back.

We live such busy lives and we often don’t take the time to stop and enjoy a drink or to eat our lunch, often eating at our desks or with the radio or news in our ears.

Years ago our grandmothers would stop, get the tea pot out and make tea. Then sit and drink and chat with family or friends; a time of pause and connection. This is more of a ritual than just drinking tea.

It doesn’t have to be tea of course, just do something to stop and give yourself some time to pause.

Enjoy your day

Lots of love

Susie xx