Getting Grounded
By
Dr. Christina Grant
Have you heard someone say
they feel “ungrounded?” Or, that they believe someone else is not very
grounded? You probably have, but what does this really mean? In this
context it isn’t like an airplane unable to take off, or a teenager
being punished. Being grounded in this day and age has to do with being
stable, balanced, calm, and focused. Let’s talk a little bit about this
concept, because it is relevant to our wellbeing, especially in times of
uncertainty or change.
I’ll start by giving you
the contrast: an ungrounded person. This person will be fuzzy-headed,
forgetful, anxious, wired, excitable, and distracted. Their energy
drifts like a balloon disconnected from a child's hand, a bit lost and
forlorn. I see it as being energetically disconnected.
Our lifestyles contribute
to this state of disconnectedness. Driving in cars, flying in airplanes
and traveling in general, being on a computer, watching television,
working and living in artificial environments with concrete, fluorescent
lights, and electricity, being in crowds of people, and even feeling
pressured, worried, or stressed. All of these take us away from our
natural balance –they interfere with our natural connection to the earth
- literally, the ground.
In a state of
ungroundedness you can be more easily influenced by others, the life you
live might not feel wholly your own, you might experience injuries and
accidents, feel anxiety, panic, irritability, foggy thinking, and be a
compulsive overeater. These are all instances where we are not centered
or stable and they indicate why it is important to be aware of our
groundedness – of being centered, focused, and calm. Just the act of
coming back into a state of groundedness can shift our entire perception
of life from one of negativity to one of hope and optimism.
So what can you do to
become more grounded? The first step is to pay closer attention to your
surroundings while noticing your own physical body. How does the chair
feel that you are sitting in? What do your feet feel like? What physical
signs or symptoms are you trying to ignore? For example, are you
thirsty? Do you have any pain or tightness in your body? Are you
thinking about the future while you are also reading this?
Simple awareness of your
breathing will help bring you into a more grounded state. Spending a few
moments a day in nature will help. Connect with the earth in some way -
sit or stand on the ground. Notice the weather. What is happening in
your natural environment? Feel the breeze, smell the earth’s scents,
take note of how the sun feels. I also use visualization. One easy
technique is to see or feel yourself as a huge, beautiful tree with deep
roots going into the earth.
Understanding the value of
being grounded is essential to being stable, balanced, focused, and
calm. The awareness at any given moment of how grounded you are can be a
tool for personal mastery, fulfillment, and self-empowerment. Although
there is more to it, here are a few quick ideas to help you with your
own state of groundedness.
Quick Tips on Getting
Grounded
-
Breathe with awareness
-
Sit in nature
-
Watch the sun rise or set
-
Place your feet or hands on the earth
-
Eat food from the earth
-
Be aware of your surroundings
-
Notice physical symptoms or signs
-
Stop, Look, and Listen
-
Visualize yourself rooted into the earth
About the Author:
Holistic healer and counselor
Dr. Christina Grant is a guide on the quest for wellness in body, mind,
and spirit. She helps people create balance, harmony, and wisdom in
their emotions and mind, gain clarity in their life’s issues, and feel
happy more often. She writes frequently and has a monthly e-newsletter.
Contact her through
www.christinagrant.com
or call
