Right now the world is literally on fire and the sorrow, stress, and uncertainty can take a toll on you and you self worth. I know when I see horrible things happening in the world one of the biggest feelings I have is guilt. Guilt that I am stressed over things things that seem unimportant compared to the nightmare that some are living right now.
I can make you feel an entire range of emotions, and that is okay.
I repeat, it is okay.
Whatever you are feeling is valid and worthy of your attention.
Which is why I'm going to share with you some of my most successful ways to ground myself when everything around seems to be completely out of control.
Ways to Ground Yourself Outside
Step outside and breathe
Taking nice long breaths can not only help you relax and bring your stress levels down it is also feel like a reset. For some breathing techniques visit this article, 8 Breathing Techniques and Breathing Exercises for Anxiety. Belly Breathing is my favorite!
Take Your Shoes Off and Feel the Ground Under Your Feet
This one right here is my absolute favorite. I find it so incredibly grounding to just feel the ground under me. The most important part is when you are standing there, close your eyes. Think about what you feel. Is the ground hard or soft. Is it wet or dry. Is it cold or warm. What else do you feel. Do you feel the warmth of the sun, maybe a cold breeze, mosquitoes choosing you as their new best friend (maybe that is just my yard)? Just take a few moments and allow yourself to physically be in contact with the ground. I think you will be surprised on how much that can actually ground you. One word of advice though, look before you plant yourself, try to avoid things link ant hills. Just saying.
Turn you Face Towards the Sun
And close your eyes. Just feel the sun on your face. Feel the warmth, the calm, even if it just for a moment. I realize this wouldn't work on super cloudy or rainy days, but if the sun is out this is definitely a great way to calm your mind. While you are facing the sun feel what part of your face feels warm first. Try to focus on what you hear with your eyes closed. Can you hear any wildlife, can you hear other people? Let your other senses take over for that moment and just embrace feeling, and hearing.
Sketch in Nature
Go to a local nature friendly place, like a beach or park. Only take these things with you: your phone (in case of emergency), a notebook, a pencil. When you get there pick something you see and draw it. Pay attention to the small details and just copy it down. Focusing on something that is natural in nature can calm our brains form going a mile and minute trying to take in everything around us. Mom tip: If you have kiddos you are responsible for, make this a special assignment. Take them with you, give them their own art supplies. Set a timer and say everyone has to sketch until the timer goes off. Then take time talking about each others images. It is educational and calming!
Way to Ground Yourself Inside
Make Yourself A Warm Drink
Oh and drink it. But don't just chug it down because...caffeine! Take slow sips. Allow yourself to really taste what you're drinking. Feel the warmth in you mouth and allow yourself to feel it go down. Close your eyes and allow yourself to smell the warmth of the drink. Really just enjoy it. Don't do anything other than drink your drink. No talking, looking at your phone, no music, no television. Just allow yourself to enjoy the drink and reset your day.
Walk Around Your Home and Look At Your Pictures
We don't just display any photographs in our home. They are often photographs that remind us of happy events, times, or people we love. So take a little walk through your home and treat it like an art gallery. Stop at each image and really look at it. What made you fall in love with that image. Was it the facial expressions, was it the landscape, was it a day you replay in your mind often. Allow yourself to just see the image and remember what it was like when the image was captured. If you weren't there or its an older image try to think about that person. Grounding ourself with our past can really bring a sense of calm to our present.
Dance
Put on your favorite music, loud, and dance. Dance like you did as a kid when you didn't care who was watching. Just move your body and let it go. Getting our nervous energy out with dancing is a great way to ground ourselves. Oh, and it is a lot of fun too!
Do Something For Someone Else
Seriously, one of the best ways to ground ourselves is to focus on someone else in need. You can do something small like send a friend a text you are thinking of them or something bigger like volunteer somewhere that means a lot to you. You can write a note and send it to a nursing home for someone who doesn't often get notes. You can donate to a cause you support. You can pack up a small bag of goodies and drop them off at a homeless shelter. You can off your time, money, or a listening ear.
Regardless of what you do to ground yourself, just remember it is okay to have big feelings.
It is okay to feel overwhelmed. You are still worthy of calm.
It is also okay to give yourself some grace and take a moment to drown out all the bad in the world.
Even if the bad is happening right outside your door, you are still allowed to take a second to ground yourself.
Because we are only human and sometimes our bodies and our brains need a second to rest and reset.
Love to you all.
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