Getting Grounded
Many of us may be feeling upset, angry, spacey, frustrated, or overly emotional. All of this is understandable with the current situation and uncertainty that surrounds us. We often get into these feelings even when there isn’t a pandemic occurring. So why do we feel out-of-sorts or simply not ourselves at times? One reason is we’re ungrounded. We are allowing our external world to take control of us. We lose acceptance over people, places, or things and in turn lose the focus on the present.
This feeling recently occurred with me. Staying at home for nearly a month now, working in the same environment as my partner, dealing with more-than-usual stress from my full-time job as a legal marketer, AND homeschooling three step-kids when they’re here, plus navigating their emotions, got to me. I was upset, resentful, frustrated, crying or screaming at everything and everyone. I know I’m not the only one who felt like this, but it sure did feel like I was in the moment. After some time in a room by myself, I was able to take my focus inward and realized, I need to get grounded.
So what is grounding and how can we do it? When I first heard the term “ground yourself,” I was at an intuitive session and thought, “so I need to lock myself in my bedroom and take away my phone?” I was instantly propelled back to my youth and being “grounded” by my parents. While grounding ourselves for health isn’t quite like being grounded by our parents, it has some similarities. It’s all about taking away the externalities so we can focus on ourselves. As adults, however, grounding isn’t a punishment, it’s an opportunity.
When we get grounded we give ourselves permission to be us and to be the present moment. We’re taking the focus away from our distress. Here are a few tips to help you ground yourself.
Find Some Quiet Time: Meditate,walk alone, sit outside, wake up early and drink coffee/tea alone in silence, or anything else that gives you some quiet space. Are you in a full house and can’t get out? Maybe try sitting in your car for 10 minutes or putting on some headphones and playing some soundscapes or binaural beats. While those may not be silent, they will at least give you a break from the external distractions.
Visualize: Imagine roots coming down through your sit bones (if you’re sitting) or your feet (if you’re standing). See and begin to feel those roots going far into the earth. Begin to feel sturdy and stable. This is even better if you’re outside and feel the grass or dirt beneath your feet. Too cold to go outside? Then try doing this barefoot in your house. Feel the carpet or floor and imagine the roots breaking through that growing deep into the earth.
Self-soothe: Do something that brings you joy and helps you stay in the moment. Maybe it’s drinking a cup of tea, listening to soothing music, petting a dog or cat, or taking a bath. Find what helps relax and soothe you.
Breathe: There are many breathing exercises that can help ground us. One I’ve talked about before is the waterfall breath. Another breathing technique or pranayama, is the box breath or square breathing. For this exercise, sit comfortably and inhale through the nostrils for a count of four, retain your breath for a count of four, then exhale through your nostrils to a count of four, and retain your breath for another count of four. Do 5-10 rounds of this.
Practice Aromatherapy: Boost your sense of smell with something calming. Maybe find a favorite candle or diffuse some essential oils. Any scent that triggers relaxation for you will work.
See what works to help you look within and get back to the present moment. Hopefully after practicing a few grounding techniques, you will feel less frustrated, angry, flighty, and overwhelmed.
~ Namaste