Getting Grounded

As we immerse ourselves into these usually blissful summer months, our world is still caught in a global crisis that, unfortunately, has not revealed its end. Moving through our everyday life is not what it once was and for many of us, feelings of anxiety can easily color our perspective. It is challenging to feel grounded when we don’t know what’s to come and how to go about achieving a modicum of comfort when the evening news paints such grim pictures. It's tricky for sure, but thankfully not impossible with some small adjustments. In our little corners of the world-our homes-focusing on grounding can help buoy us. As someone who believes wholeheartedly in small things making a difference, my hope is that these ideas will add some positive notes to your days.

Grounding, used in such phrases as “well-grounded”, “feel grounded” or “have both feet on the ground” denotes a balance, being present, as well as comfortable and peaceful. It denotes a foundation and a sense of being down-to-earth. Grounding is also a term for the physical act of walking on the ground itself; being one with the actual, physical planet that sits beneath your feet. 

Here are a variety of ways you can begin to ground yourself…

Explore your yard

No matter how small or how big, wander outside in the fresh air. If you have the luxury of a backyard, walk barefoot in the grass. Feel the sensations between your toes. Notice the texture, and how your feet find the contours of the ground under that grass. This process is still being studied but early studies seem to point in the direction of our bodies reacting positively and in conjunction with the energy of the Earth; reducing inflammation, being able to calming our systems and even help with circulation and immunity. When we connect with the earth, without shoes, we are placing ourselves right up against this powerful source of natural energy. Walking on soil, laying in the grass, walking even on concrete (but not asphalt), wading into the water or on sand, we are allowing ourselves to connect. Do have flowers or plants in your yard? Take a few moments to really look at them. Have you ever noticed how they are configured or the variety of colorations? Often, we quickly scan a scene but seldom take time to focus on each individual component. If your living space does not have a yard, per se, but maybe a balcony, enjoying the sun, breeze and sounds of nature will have beneficial effects on our mood as well. Soak it up, be a sponge!

Exercises for Grounding
When you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, breathing deeply for a few short minutes is highly beneficial for resetting our systems. It sounds so elementary, doesn’t it? But breathing is our life source and without realizing it, our breaths are often shallow and halted. Quiet yourself for a few moments-turn off the tv, or just before you nod off to sleep at night or even first thing in the morning-as an energizing, yet calming action. Breathe in slowly and feel your stomach expand, as if it is a balloon filling with air, then in a controlled fashion, exhale and slowly, slowly, slowly let that air out of that balloon and you will feel the top of your torso expand. 

You can also ground yourself by focusing inward and doing a full body scan, as a way of setting your foundation. How is your body feeling today? Are some areas tense, others relaxed? Until you cue into your inner superhero scanning, you won’t know. Take this time to loosen them up as you discover which areas need attention and care. 

In Your Home

Creating a home that makes us feel safe and secure works its magic in profound ways. It is, after all, where we begin and end each day. Small things add up quickly in our homes; 

-A simple bouquet of real flowers on a table or new houseplants (try a large one to really bring that outdoor feeling inside) add that natural element, add beauty, and even can contribute to improving the air quality. Simple, easy and inexpensive.

-Use scents to bring the outdoors in by using a diffuser, diffuser reeds, or dabbing your favorite aromatherapy oils on yourself. Again, elemental yet profoundly healing. Rosemary fosters feeling of contentment, lavender is stress-relieving, and peppermint and citrus scents perk you up, to name a few. Believe it or not, I dab a bit of vanilla extract on my wrists when I am baking, which puts my mind in a happy place while I create. Experiment though, because you never know what scent will work wonders to raise you up when you need it. Maybe you love the smell of spruce because it reminds you of your favorite woodsy vacation spot-that might well be your happy scent that brings you a feeling of ultimate calm. 

-Create a nook in your home for total relaxation. It can even be a single chair near a window with your favorite view of the outdoors. Make it someplace where you can rest for a few minutes, recharge and feel comforted. Outfit it with a blanket in your favorite fabric, a pillow that, in the words of Goldilocks, is just right, place a stack of favorite books or magazines nearby, and maybe add a little step stool or poof to elevate your feet. We all need to get off of our feet periodically to recharge. This will be a spot where you can sink into that swaddles you like a big comforting hug. Again, a simple solution created by things you already have in your home. 

In the Kitchen

One of the most fundamental ways to ground and nurture ourselves and our loved ones is by feeding ourselves well and gathering around the table together. Food is communal and a beautiful way to connect with each other. Now is a perfect time to try some dishes that you don’t usually have time to make or to teach your children how to cook. Mix love and care into it and just watch the beautiful and delicious things you will create. As summer starts to roll in, gardens and farms will quickly start offering up beautiful bounty. Experiment with new foods, let children pick out a new item from the farm stand that appeals to them. Helpful foods to eat at this time are mood-boosting foods that add beneficial nutrients to our systems and/or balance sugar levels (eggs, yogurt, oats, leafy greens), cooling foods as the temps rise to regulate our systems (cucumbers, cilantro, avocado, zucchini), and even comfort foods using seasonal produce (vegetable lasagna, tasty gazpacho or fruit soups, for instance).

In Attitude

Consider beginning a gratitude journal. Feelings of chaos and the great unknown leave us feeling vulnerable and being isolated from friends and family adds to our uneasiness. However, counting our blessings and focusing on what we do have presently helps tip the scales in our perceptions of the world around us. Any day can be a starting point to helping yourself feel truly present and thankful for what you have in your life at this moment. I have found that starting my day by recounting 5 small (or large) things that happened the prior day can set my day off of a gracious foot. I’ve noted items as sweeping as “my family is safe” to a small note of witnessing the first bloom appear in our garden. Large, small, it all adds up to being present in the moment and creating a sturdy footing.

(Originally published in E.P.I.C. Conscious Living Magazine, June 2020)

Photo credit: A. Guilbault