Are You Grounded?

The secret to happiness is letting every situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be.

I love this quote because it reminds us to be present in the moment, without judgement of the experience. When we are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, mindfulness helps us pause and connect to the here and now.  Using grounding skills can also help return focus and attention on the present moment.

Here are some mindful coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety.  

If you blow a tire on the way to work, your first thought is likely to be negative. You’re frustrated and angry. You think the whole day is ruined, your schedule is thrown off. Try to come up with one neutral thought, affirm it and your emotions and eventually the situation will follow suit. Try this thought out: At least my kids weren’t in the car and now I have safe, new tires for our summer road trip.

Try keeping a simple journal. Start the day with intentions. Jot down what’s on your mind, what you need, strengths, struggles or what a perfect day looks like. End the day with gratitude. What are you grateful for? Think about people, your skills, your journey. Intention and gratitude leads to improved well-being, mood and relationships.

Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, aware of where we are, what we are doing, and responding without judgement towards ourselves or the situation. When we are not in the present moment, we tend to notice more stress, distractions, emotions, difficulty coping, feeling overwhelmed, and worried.  One of the best ways to ground ourselves in the present moment is to focus on our breath. Take 5 full deep belly breaths – a full inhale and full exhale. Pretend there’s a balloon in your stomach you’re inflating and deflating.

To ground ourselves in the present moment, use your senses: Taste, smell, hear, touch and see. When we are doing a task like washing dishes, we may have unwanted thoughts and worries. Try focusing on the task and engaging your senses. What does the water sound like, what do the bubbles feel like, what does the soap smell like?

Become aware of how your body and mind feel while walking or moving your body. Move your body outdoors for at least 10 minutes. Use your grounding skills and senses. What do you see, hear, taste, touch, smell? Pay attention to how your body feels. This is a great exercise for anybody, but especially for those who have a hard time sitting still or slowing the body. Try it with your children!