7 Easy Tips for Grounding to Reduce Anxiety

Beautiful,Barefoot,Female,Legs,Walking,On,Grass.,Grounding,And,Earthing

In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become constant companions for many of us. It may feel impossible to get out from under our fears, worries, and other distressing thoughts. That’s why learning how to get grounded is so important. 

Keep reading to discover seven quick and easy grounding techniques to reduce anxiety and help you enjoy a more peaceful, joyful life.

How to get grounded: 7 techniques to ease anxiety

Focus on your breath.

One of the most straightforward ways to get grounded is tapping into the power of your breath. 

Focusing on your breath, by gently inhaling and exhaling through the nose, activates your body’s natural relaxation response. This simple practice has been scientifically proven to help reduce stress and create a sense of calm.

Turn your attention to your nostrils with curiosity. Do you notice a cool sensation as you inhale, a warm sensation as you exhale? Take long, deep, slow breaths, mentally noting “in” and “out” with each breath cycle. 

You can also try a full-body breathing technique. Imagine that your whole body is breathing in, envisioning the air entering through your feet, expanding into your entire body, then exiting back down through your feet. This helps ground you in the here and now.

Feel your feet on the ground.

Reconnecting with your feet can bring you a profound sense of safety and stability. Try this simple exercise:

  • Sit or stand with both feet flat on the ground, uncrossed.
  • Focus on the sensation of your heels and soles touching the ground. Feel the support beneath you.
  • Press one foot, then the other, firmly into the ground, engaging your thighs. Then, press both feet down simultaneously.
  • Observe how these movements affect your spine and overall posture.
  • Notice the feeling of both feet solidly connected to the earth.
  • Continue until you feel a sense of grounding in your lower legs.
Related:   How Gratitude is Good for Your Health?

This is an easy practice that can help you get out of your head and back into the present moment, creating feelings of calm.

Practice earthing.

Earthing, also known as grounding, is the process of touching your bare skin to the earth. Studies have shown it has multiple significant effects on your health, including: 

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Alleviating pain and stress
  • Increasing blood flow
  • Improving sleep and energy levels
  • Supporting greater overall well-being

Earthing works by connecting your body to the earth, which has its own natural electric charge. This connection allows the earth to share its electrons with your body, helping to balance your body’s electrical energy. 

It’s similar to how you would ground an electrical outlet to prevent electrical overload. This balancing act helps calm your body and mind, much like hitting the reset button on stress. 

The best places to practice earthing are outdoor surfaces like:

  • Soil
  • Grass
  • Sand
  • Water, including streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean
  • Concrete

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique.

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is a practical exercise aimed at calming the nervous system by using your senses. 

It shifts your focus from anxiety triggers to a curious exploration of your current sensory experiences, altering the brain’s stress response and anchoring you in the present moment.

It involves the following steps:

  1. Acknowledge five things you see. Pause and notice five items in your immediate environment.
  2. Acknowledge four things you can touch. Identify and feel four objects around you, such as your clothes, a chair, a clock, or the floor.
  3. Acknowledge three things you hear. Tune into and recognize three sounds nearby, such as traffic, birds chirping, or a clock ticking.
  4. Acknowledge two things you can smell. Detect and acknowledge two scents–pleasant or unpleasant–like food, flowers, or any odor in your vicinity.
  5. Acknowledge one thing you can taste. Focus on one taste, perhaps from a recent meal, a mint, or just the taste of your saliva.
Related:   Lifestyle Changes in Just 30 Days

By engaging all five senses, the 5-4-3-2-1 technique redirects anxious thoughts back to the present, helping you feel grounded and calm. 

Get moving.

Exercise is a scientifically proven method for reducing anxiety. When we engage in physical activity, our body releases endorphins–natural mood-boosting chemicals that alleviate stress. 

Get out of your head and back into your body by doing some simple exercises, such as:

  • Jumping jacks
  • Jumping rope
  • Jogging in place or around the block
  • Stretching muscle groups one at a time

While doing these exercises, pay attention to your bodily sensations. Notice the feeling of your feet and/or hands as they touch the floor or move through the air. 

This mindfulness element not only enhances the stress-relieving benefits of exercise but also keeps you anchored in the present moment, reducing anxiety and other distressing feelings.

Drink water.

Water is essential for life. It hydrates our cells and acts as an electrical conductor in our bodies, keeping our minds sharp and our systems functioning smoothly. 

It also regulates body temperature, circulates oxygen and nutrients, and revitalizes our tissues. Plus, proper hydration is crucial for regulating stress hormones and supporting overall nervous system function.

Drinking water can be a grounding technique, in itself. Notice the cool sensation of the water as it flows down your throat and into your stomach. This can bring you back into your body, easing tension. 

Pick up and hold onto something.

Holding and examining an object can be a powerful grounding technique. 

Take a moment to pick up something nearby and notice its characteristics. Is it soft or hard? Light or heavy? Warm or cool? 

Pay close attention to its texture and color. Challenge yourself to identify specific shades rather than general colors like red or green. This mindful practice of observing intricate details can help anchor you in the present moment, easing stress and anxiety.

Related:   4 Tips to Relax and Calm Your Mind

These grounding activities are simple yet powerful ways to reduce stress and anxiety. Experiment with them to discover which ones work best for you. And practice regularly to cultivate a more peaceful, centered experience–no matter what life throws your way.

Unlock the chance to WIN a Clean Home & Beauty Package by SuzanneSomers.com from Caroline Blazovsky, and learn how to live a less toxic lifestyle!

Click here

References:

ERIC – EJ1278249 – Emotion Dysregulation and Anxiety in Students: Mindfulness Strategies for School Counselors, Georgia School Counselors Association Journal, 2020

Grounding Techniques

How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing

Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials | Scientific Reports

The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Attention, Negative Affect and Stress in Healthy Adults – PMC

The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases – PMC

Grounding – The universal anti-inflammatory remedy – PMC

The Effect of Earthing Mat on Stress-Induced Anxiety-like Behavior and Neuroendocrine Changes in the Rat.

Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons – PMC.

The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers’ Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial

What Surfaces Can I Be Grounded On? | BeGrounded

Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults

Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Anxiety – PMC

Water, Hydration and Health – PMC

Effects of Dehydration and Rehydration on Cognitive Performance and Mood among Male College Students in Cangzhou, China: A Self-Controlled Trial – PMC

Author
Carrie Solomon
Carrie Solomon is a freelance health writer, copywriter, and passionate wellness enthusiast. She’s on a mission to help wellness-focused companies educate, engage, and inspire their audiences to make the world a healthier, happier place. Learn more about her at copybycarrie.com or on LinkedIn.

1 Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Step Out and Reconnect with Nature - Natural Solutions Magazine - dedicated to teach people how to live better

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*