Let’s Talk about Grounding!
Putting our feet on the ground is known as Earthing and is an effective way to ground our energy and emotions!
In times of stress and anxiety we tend to disconnect from our bodies and ourselves. We often engage in numbing behaviors to cope. This is because stress and anxiety create discomfort in our bodies through symptoms such as headaches & migraines, nausea, body aches & pain, and so on.
We don’t like experiencing those things sensations, so we tend to engage in avoiding behaviors to take our minds off what is happening physically for us. The problem with doing this is that is doesn’t cause the sensations to go away, and it doesn’t get to the root of the issue.
What is Grounding and how does it help us?
Grounding is the act of returning to your body and bringing your awareness back to the present moment. Grounding techniques are focused on being in your body and paying attention to the sensations present there. Grounding helps us listen to our body and what we need. When we spend time listening and receiving the information, then we can act on what we learn, and resolve the pain in time.
When we spend quiet time sitting with ourselves, we also learn to have more self-compassion. When we are grounded in our bodies, we feel calm, safe, and secure. Our breathing and heart-rate are regulated and we are able to think clearly. If someone has experienced trauma, this can be a hard state to get to. Which is why it is especially important to practice Grounding.
What are the best ways to ground yourself?
There are many ways to ground yourself. Meditation is by far one of the most effective and easiest to do. Start by sitting comfortably or laying down, focus on your breathing, and slowing it down. With your eyes gently closed, breathe through your nose all the way from the bottom of your stomach, then blow the air out your mouth as slowly as possible. Do this for at least one minute, but you will experience more benefit if you go longer.
Notice where there is tension within, notice where there is relaxation. Can you be present with the experience without judging yourself? You can also place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your heart to connect to your intuition and heart center. Don’t worry if your thoughts are distracted. Just keep returning to your breath.
This is a powerful way to ground yourself and cultivate more inner peace. Spending time in nature is also a meaningful way to come back home to the quiet within. There are so many wonderful smells in nature. Take time to stop to smell all the flowers and really breathe them in. See what you notice within when you are surrounded by greenery. Notice all the variety of plants around you. Take a walk outside without shoes and feel the grass on your bare feet. Feel the earth below you. Notice the temperature. Does it remind you of anything? If you don’t have a yard to do this in, go to a park or go for a hike and try this out.
There are doctors in Japan who will prescribe their patients time in nature to help manage their stress. This is known at Forest Bathing, and its premise is that nature is extremely healing and reminds us we are all connected through our biology. Being outdoors is healing and reminds us how things keep growing, despite our hardships. Nature grows where it is planted or where its seeds are dropped. It doesn’t worry if it is good enough. It doesn’t compare itself to other plants. It doesn’t hold on to the past or rush off to the future. It just grows. We can all use this reminder to do the same.
To learn more about grounding and working with me, click here. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sarah Seraphina is a Spiritual Activator and Liberation Guide. She is the owner of Nurtured Essence, a healing space, aimed at helping women overcome their past patterns and fears, so they may thrive and live with more power, purpose, ease, and joy. She specializes in working with healers, recovering empaths and “Damsels in Distress”, highly-sensitive women, lightworkers, and women with a sacred mission.
