You might be like me by thinking and feeling everything at the same time while also going everywhere. That turbulent shifting from ups and lows, doing this and that or going here and there is exhausting to our nerves and body. That is the opposite of staying grounded. What exactly does it mean to “stay grounded”?
If you would like to watch a condensed video version of this information, please click this link https://youtu.be/WwsslkVY4eo
Staying grounded means to stop and be in the present moment, as if rooted to the ground. This can be a literal stop and not move. Or it could be to stop thinking or feeling for a minute. It is very similar to mindfulness because you’re focusing on the present. It’s like a mini time-out.
BENEFITS OF BEING GROUNDED
Taking time to be grounded can calm you. Reduce your stress. Help you to breathe better. Think better. And yes, “kiss the ground”, feel better. Pun intended.
The benefits are much the same as mindfulness:
- Reduces anxiety
- Decreases blood pressure
- Reduces burnout
- Eases muscle tension
- Reduces your heart rate
- Compliments overall health and wellness
As you can see from these benefits a happy you, gives a happy heart. And a happy healthy heart is a happy you. Being grounded is fully worth the couple of minutes it takes to do it.
HOW TO STAY GROUNDED
A very fast and effective way of staying grounded is the “5-4-3-2-1 Technique”. This technique has you focus while using your 5 senses. It can be done practically anywhere.
To try it, follow this:
5 Things you SEE
4 Things you TOUCH
3 Things you HEAR
2 Things you SMELL
1 Thing you TASTE
Let’s break it down further for suggestions on each.
5 things to see.
Whatever is close at hand. Your desk, table, car, office, store, etc. Look at yourself or what you’re wearing. It’s very easy to find 5 things around you.
4 things to touch.
If you’re limited to choices, you can use yourself (touch your face, arm, etc) and what you’re wearing.
3 things to hear.
Try to isolate the sounds around you. Cars going by. People talking nearby. Birds singing. Music playing. See if you can hear the air going through your nose as you breathe.
2 things to smell.
It could be food cooking. A beverage you’re drinking (not sure if water has a smell). A lotion you’re wearing. The clothes you’re wearing probably have a smell. And even your own skin has a smell.
1 thing to taste.
If you’re already eating or drinking something, congratulations. If not, don’t despair, your mouth whether clean or not always has a taste. (We won’t get into what that may be.)
OTHER WAYS TO STAY GROUNDED
I mentioned earlier about mindfulness. It’s truly a great way to help you be grounded. You can try some breathing techniques. They make you focus on your breath and therefore are grounding. Nature is the ultimate best way to “ground”, because you can actually make contact with the ground of our wonderful planet. A true grounded connection. You can do a daily positive affirmation to keep you grounded.
You can take a look at these I’ve created on my Etsy Store by clicking the image
Also, having gratitude each day will definitely ground you.
If after doing one round of this technique and you still feeling some anxiety or stress, you can do it again by using your senses with different items than you chose the last time. Or try other stress management techniques as mentioned above. There are several here on my website for you to try.
Please comment and let me know what stress techniques work for you.
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Stress Less Today 