Print this 1-page PDF of the Grounding Exercise And post it where you can see it in times of trouble. We don’t always think clearly when we’re overwhelmed or anxious. Choose what you find helpful.
This audio by co-host (above) Rick Wilkes And Kathy Vertuli Covers what it means to be “grounded” along with some basic grounding techniques.
What does it mean to be energetically “grounded”?
In short, it means feeling connected and present in our bodies, here… now. Strong and balanced on earth.
We want to cover some basic grounding techniques. As we begin to reconnect with the body, sometimes we can find triggers that feel overwhelming. Here are some techniques that help us ground and regroup.
- If you’re calm enough… just keep tapping. You are obviously very emotionally attached.
- If the feelings are too intense, see if you can put the problem aside for now. Some people imagine putting emotions or problems in a box and closing the lid. It works in the short term until you get help or support to work through it. It may also help you use the other techniques listed here.
- EFT Tapping Not necessarily grounding (especially by tapping the head and upper body).
- If you feel less calm, re-grounding with your current environment is important. Open your eyes and look around.
- Bring your attention to body sensations, temperature. how cold are you? What do you feel?
- Stop your feet, or draw strength and sensation into the insides of your wrists and ankles.
- Now shift the focus here. What color is your couch? Can you feel the texture? How are you sitting on it? Which side? (orienting itself locally).
- Use your intellectual mind. How much does this chair cost? Think about a technical question from work.
- Confuse yourself… what about those cowboys!?
- Wash your face and hands with warm water.
- Get something to eat (preferably hot). It helps to reset the primitive brain. After all, we didn’t have time to worry about washing up or hot food when a saber tooth tiger was after us!
- Laughter often helps. Do you see something interesting?
- Make some choices about what helps your body feel safe… sit here or there, warm or cold, go for a walk or lie down. It engages the cerebral cortex, helping you feel safe.
- Remind yourself that you are currently in a safe place, right here, right now.
- Imagine you are a tree and send roots into the earth, drawing stabilizing energy to yourself.
- Acknowledge your feelings right now: I am very angry right now. It’s okay. Once you stop fighting an emotion, it often dissipates more quickly.
- If you’re with someone you trust, a gentle safe touch can help.
- Just being present helps. Our bodies can hardly sustain these intense emotions for very long.
- Follow your breath and exhale.
- Compressed breathing exercises (See link for audio and taping script).
- pets
- You can keep a list of safe people to call near the phone.
