grounding

Thomas Dreier said:

if we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time. Not tomorrow or next year. Today should always be our most wonderful day.

And as much as we know that this is true, and that we should practice daily gratitude, it is a small minority that do. But to give thanks is one of the simplest forms of pure joy we can express. It offers us softness and when we feel our own blessings, no matter how small they are, positivity finds us and we feel stable in our own lives offering stability to those around us. 

When life really heats up, and lets face it, that’s pretty much everyday in this modern world, it is crucial to anchor into a gentle rhythm. The to do list is growing at the speed of light, the kids are demanding our every need, family commitments are through the roof, social engagements are running wild, work is piling up and fatigue is setting in. Basically we’re on a slippery slope to sensory overload and emotional collapse.

The best way to find some calm amongst the playground that is our life is to ground. Connect back into our bodies rather than constantly swimming around in our heads. The more time we stay in our heads the more intense and frantic things become. The stress builds and an easy task overwhelms. Our nervous system is in a constant state of flight or fight, which is absolutely wonderful if we’re needing to survive an encounter with a boxing kangaroo, but when all we’re doing is buying a ham for Christmas Day it’s a little too much on the body. 

I realise that not everyone is going to take up meditation, although if you did you’d be doing yourself ONE huge favour but while I’m still convincing you to do that maybe dive into some of the basic tips below.

1. Breathing.

Yes, we do it everyday, but many of us never connect to it. Sit in a comfortable position for a few minutes and take ten deep relaxed breaths. In through the nose and out through the mouth. Feel the air as you inhale filling every cell in your body with renewed life. As you exhale visualise stale energy leaving, blockages releasing and tension evaporating. We’re breathing in the good, out the bad and thanking it for the life force it brings 24/7. 

2. Earthing.

Through the study of biophilia we are acutely aware of the connection between Mother Nature and humanity. It is an intimate energetic relationship. When we spend time outdoors we increase our overall wellbeing. When we ‘earth’ we literally stand on the earth in bare feet and feel it stabilising us. The simplest form of this can be standing on the grass (or any chosen natural environment – the beach is wonderful for additional detoxification), feeling the energy beneath us come up through the soles of our feet filling our entire being. For a few seconds you are with your whole body and not only your mind, a beautiful way to take the tight grip off all the things floating around between your ears. 

3. H2O.

As we know hydration is key for optimal health but as a grounding technique drinking water and being a witness to it traveling from our lips to our stomach gently brings us back into our bodies. Take mindful sips and feel it as it rides through your digestive system. When things are just too much take a little water journey into your body and see how it soothes you.

4. Quality proteins.

Obviously not everyone subscribes to animal protein, I for one don’t eat alot, but eggs, meat and also nuts offer a grounding energy to the body. They can help stabilize blood sugar. When we are feeling overwhelmed and stressed we tend to crave sweet things. Reaching for them in that moment, including too much super sweet fruit, will only fuel our disconnect further keeping us in our heads where the crazy is. I like to have boiled eggs in the fridge for when I’m completely out of balance and need to ‘feel the earth beneath my feet’.

5. Daily ritual.

If meditation isn’t your thing (or even if it is) having another simple daily ritual where it’s just you and your space of calm is the optimal grounding practice. Putting the phone on silent, closing the door to the kids and switching off from all that’s external, momentarily, is like a big fat hug to yourself. In it’s simplest form it’s tea for me. Sitting down with an actual pot of herbal tea, a beautiful cup and saucer, smelling the sweet aroma, giving thanks for the moment and all that has brought me here, and connecting to the experience.

6. Seeing red.

It’s an interesting saying, ‘to see red’, it conjurs up a woman scorned with fury blazing from her eyes. It certainly doesn’t impart a picture of grounded serenity. But in this instance I am referring to the root chakra, our Muladhara. It is the foundational energy centre at the bottom of our spine, a center that we grow and thrive from. When in balance, it brings stability, security and connection. There are seven chakras (energy points) that travel up our spine, all representing different things and all symbolized by different colours. When they are blocked energy doesn’t flow. The root chakra is red, and while there are other key things we can do to unblock it, a very basic way can be through using the vibration of the colour red. By surrounding ourselves with red, wearing red, eating wholefoods that are red or drinking out of a mug that is red we send stablising energy direct to our foundation.