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Body in balance. 7 effective ways to ground yourself
Too many thoughts can make us feel unbalanced. They usually focus on what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future. Very often we are more in our heads than in our bodies.
The best way to reconnect with the present moment is to ground. It is very simple. The main idea is to let the earth carry you, support you. There are different ways of doing this – connecting with nature, through food or breathing. I hope you find my tips useful.
Here are 7 effective ways to ground yourself and embrace the present moment. Guess which one is my favourite?
1. Become Part Of Nature
The Japanese call it “shinrin yoku” or forest bathing. It’s a practice where you consciously spend time in nature. Being surrounded by trees, listening to birdsong, observing the green landscape – all of this brings us into a state of calm and relaxation. Furthermore, studies have shown that spending time in nature lowers cortisol, reduces anxiety and improves not only our physical health, but more importantly, our mental and emotional health.
2. Walk Barefoot On Natural Surfaces
Whenever I’m in the forest I take off my shoes. Walking barefoot can bring enormous joy and connection to the earth. Try and experiment with different surfaces: sand, grass, stones, earth. Walking barefoot stimulates the nerve endings in your feet. Considering that all meridian lines begin or end at the feet, walking barefoot is like a natural massage not only for the feet but for the whole body.
3. Use Mindful Breathing Through The Feet
Mindful Breathing is a powerful practice that helps you connect with the present moment. I love to extend this practice to my feet and reconnect with the earth. As I stand, I imagine that I’m breathing in through my feet, allowing the energy of the earth to enter my body through the soles of my feet. I can feel it nourishing and refreshing my whole being. As I exhale, I allow any negativity, pain or discomfort to be released through the soles of my feet, knowing that the earth will take it and transform it into something good.
4. Eat Grounding Foods
There are foods that spend most of their lives underground. Root vegetables, for example, have natural properties. Potatoes, carrots, beans, onions, radishes, ginger, nuts and seeds are all wonderful sources of essential nutrients and grounding energy. I try to eat nuts as a healthy snack throughout the day, especially when my days are busy and I need a nutritious break.
5. Practice Gardening
We don’t have a garden, but especially in summer I feel the need to connect with the food I eat. Last Sunday we went to the outskirts of Berlin to pick strawberries, blueberries and red currants. There is nothing better than picking a fresh strawberry off the bush and putting it in your mouth. Delicious! Getting your hands in the soil is a great way to ground yourself. Another way is to take care of the plants that surround you in your home or neighborhood. They are all part of your community.
6. Hug a Tree
This is my favourite of all. I adore trees and think they are the most beautiful symbol of what it means to be grounded. Their roots are deep in the earth. Their branches and leaves move with the wind. If you see a tree that inspires you, go and hug it. It may feel a little strange at first, but imagine that with each new breath you can connect with this majestic being. Another option is to sit or stand and lean back against it. This will support your back and allow you to find outer and inner stability.
7. Use Grounding Affirmations
Our grounding can be supported by using affirmations. Affirmations are powerful statements in the present tense. They quiet the mind and create a sense of inner balance. You can say them out loud or silently. Grounding affirmations can sound like ‘I am present‘, ‘I am stable like a tree‘, ‘I am connected to the earth‘, ‘I am safe‘. I like to combine them with mindful breathing techniques.
Conclusion
Grounding has many benefits. Not only does it maintain your physical health, but it also has a positive effect on your mental and emotional state. By incorporating these ideas into your day, you can establish a routine that gets you out of your head and out of your anxiety, and into your body and into the present moment.
This support is available anytime, anywhere and for free. It’s just a matter of discovering which practices resonate with you the most and allowing the Earth to support you in your daily life.
Take care,
Aleksandra
