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What is meant by grounding yourself?
Grounding is a self-soothing skill rooted in clinical behavioral health. It is a technique that helps you stay in the present moment, orienting you to the external here-and-now.
The benefits of grounding are numerous and can help us manage stress and anxiety in a variety of ways. Here are just a few:
- Reducing physical symptoms: Grounding exercises can help reduce physical symptoms of stress and anxiety such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shallow breathing. By bringing our attention to our physical surroundings, we can shift our focus away from the internal sensations of anxiety and instead focus on the present moment.
- Improving mood: Grounding can help improve mood and increase feelings of calm and relaxation. By becoming more present in the moment, we can let go of worries about the past or future and experience a greater sense of peace and contentment.
- Enhancing mindfulness: Grounding can help us become more mindful and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. By paying attention to the present moment, we can cultivate greater awareness and understanding of our internal experiences.
How do you practice grounding?
So how do you ground yourself? Here are some examples of simple grounding exercises you can perform the next time you feel overwhelmed :
Find a comfortable position:
Sit or stand in a comfortable position, with your feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
Take a deep breath:
Inhale deeply through your nose, filling your lungs with air. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through your mouth.
Focus on your senses:
Bring your attention to your physical surroundings. Notice the colors, textures, and sounds around you. What do you see, hear, feel, and smell?
Name three things:
Choose three things in your environment that you can see, touch, or hear. Say their names out loud or in your mind. For example, “I see a green plant, I feel the soft fabric of my shirt, I hear a bird chirping outside.”
Take another deep breath:
Inhale deeply through your nose, and as you exhale, release any tension or stress you may be holding in your body.
Repeat as needed:
If you find yourself feeling anxious or stressed throughout the day, take a few moments to ground yourself using this exercise.
The goal is to ground yourself in the present environment enough to pause your activated state and help you reset.
In conclusion, grounding is a simple yet powerful technique that can help us manage stress and anxiety in our daily lives. By bringing our attention to the present moment and our physical surroundings, we can reduce physical symptoms, improve mood, and enhance mindfulness. Try the grounding exercise above and see how it can help you feel more centered and at peace.
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