Grounding: What Is It?
We often talk about “grounding” in mental health and in counselling settings, and it can help with various things such as anxiety, perseverating, spiraling, ruminating and racing thoughts. Grounding can also help with triggers and PTSD symptoms. The practice of grounding has been around for hundreds of years and practiced by many different cultures because of its wide range of therapeutic benefits.
Practicing grounding or grounding exercises helps to bring the person back to the present. Grounding also helps with being present in the moment, helps to get out of the stuck “mind” and helps with distraction in addition to helping to alleviate distressing symptoms. Grounding has also been known to help with PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, racing heart, hyper fixation and difficulty with concentrating. Grounding is about bringing you back to the present and reconnecting with your present self, the present moment and reconnecting with your body.
Interested in seeing the benefits that Grounding has to offer: Try these options listed below:
Traditional Grounding Methods & Practices:
-Reconnecting With the Earth: Walking barefoot on the grass, in water or soil & even things like cold plunges in the lake is considered grounding.
They say these methods help to reconnect your body to mother earth. Often we are so detached and absent from our physical surroundings and environment and can get caught up easily in our thoughts. Being physically connected to our environment, our earth and our body can be healing for our mind, body and soul.
-Practicing Yoga: Practicing yoga which can consist of various forms and types, including simple stretching and breathing, can help bring your mind back to the present and reconnect with your body. Yoga can help to reconnect the mind and body and is wonderful for the body, mind and soul.
-Practicing the 5 Senses: Practicing this strategy can help to calm those racing thoughts and can help bring you out of that tailspin and into the present moment: Practice the following: 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell and 1 thing you can taste.
-Listening to Mindful Meditations and Sound Baths: There are many guided meditations that can help you practice not only mindfulness but also grounding exercises. Many can be found on Insight Timer and are free.
-Go for a Walk: Something as simple as going for a 15-20 minute walk has many therapeutic benefits and can help with grounding. Not only is it good to get fresh air, some sunlight and move your body, but walking is also naturally calming and can be grounding in itself.
So what are you waiting for, try these few strategies and see what you notice!
For more info on grounding or other therapeutic strategies, contact Mallery at Mallery@serenityandsoulhealing.com to learn more info and book your counselling session to start working on your healing journey. www.serenityandsoulhealing.com
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