Hello there! In this article we’re going to talk about the specific sensory processing activity called grounding techniques. For those of you that are unfamiliar with what grounding is, according to the prestigious NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), grounding affects the living matrix, which is the central connector between living cells.
This post speaks about grounding techniques including grounding stones which are stones or crystals which keep you in the present while you hold it.
It works by allowing your spirit to reconnect to earth. Which is why the term “grounding” is also referred to as “earthing”. What also makes these stones unique is that they come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can even use real gem stones and it will have the same if not better effect as something cheap on the market. I myself use grounding stones to cope with my anxiety. My personal favorite grounding stone is called a Shungite.
Theses stones are truly unique and can bring healing properties because they are filled with carbon. Such healing properties include significant stress relief, protection from EDF exposure (electro-magnetic field) from all technology, and reduced inflammation. It helps to rid the body of any unhealthy energies. Its also believed that the Shungite can purify water by eliminating heavy metals and other harmful toxins found in drinking water! Although I must clarify there are two different types of Shungite.
You have the regular one and then a elite/noble version. The difference being how much carbon is in the stone. With the elite version having over 90% of the finest carbon therefore more healing properties it doesn’t get much better.
In high school I had my own personal shungite that my teacher gave me to help with panic and anxiety attacks. After I would calm down from a bad attack I would hold my shungite and I feel all the negative energy slowly start to slip away in my body. Eventually though after holding it so many times your going to want to clean your shungite.
Unlike your basic grounding stone that you can wash with soap and water your going to want to treat your Shungite with care. To clean or recharge your shungite just rinse your shungite stone under warm water for several minutes or leave it out in the sun for the day.
If you just want a basic grounding routine without all the extras any regular stone on the market will do. I feel as grounding stones in general give me more courage to do things I would otherwise feel so intimidated to do. Like in school have you ever had to do a presentation in front of your whole class? Well I’m here to say that something as simple as holding a stone in your hand your pocket really can bring you comfort and relief so you can ace that presentation.
Using any form of grounding techniques is great for your overall health. It promotes better sleep, well being, less pain, and of course less stress.
Meditation is always a grounding technique and probably is the most popular. When you feel like your stress is to the limit, take five minutes to just sit and put a relaxation video on YouTube and do some deep breathing. YouTube also has guided imagery meditation video’s which helps you focus on grounding with your surroundings. Guided imagery isn’t for everyone because you need to be able to use your imagination and concentration to envision a lot of what the video is discussing.
If you like yoga that’s another great way to ground. Childs Pose is a good starting yoga pose for grounding.
Now that you know everything you need to about Grounding Stones and mediation, lets talk about some other forms of grounding techniques to help aid in anxiety relief. So, how do you stay grounded when you don’t have access to a phone or computer? Well, I’ll teach you some grounding exercises I’ve learned through years of therapy;l but first lets talk about nature.
If you’re having a bad day its amazing how much just being in the fresh air can lift your spirits. Even if hiking up mountains and trails aren’t your things just sitting outside with the sun shinning on your face will soon make your stress fade away. On a warm sunny day when your stress level is high, I challenge you to go outside and go for a walk. Walk slowly, take some deep breaths and stop thinking about whatever is troubling you and just be with nature. Pay attention to the the clouds and pretty trees as the leaves fall. As you’re walking along, feel the wind pick up as you feel the smoothness of the grass and the roughness of the tree bark against your finger tips. Listen to the birds chirping as you feel the peace slowly wash over you. This is the beautiful healing power of nature!
Now I want to teach you about grounding techniques that you can do anywhere even if you’re not with nature. Have you ever had a panic/anxiety attack and you just needed to call that one person but their phone was off? Or maybe you had a really bad day and you just wanted to sit in the sun but it was raining. The following exercises are just the grounding tools you’ll need. It’s that easy!
The first grounding technique is meant for everyone who loves, and finds relief through sensory processing because it incorporates using all five senses.
Name five things you can touch, four things you can see, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Do this as many times as you need to in an order or number you like. This will help bring you back to the present moment. It assists with coping from day to day stress all the way from anxiety and panic attacks. Grounding exercises that bring you back to the moment can also help people with PTSD get out of really bad flashbacks. Some other exercises that will help flashbacks and anxiety are:
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- Pick any random color and name 10 things you see that are the same as the color you picked.
- Count by 10s to one thousand.
- Pick one long word and see how many words can be made from the same letters. For example, the letters in the word Categories can also make the words cat, rats, go, or, eat, etc. Do as many words as you like.
- Take notice of where your body is and how it’s feeling starting from the top to the bottom. For example, my eyes are looking at a screen, my neck feels stiff, my back is against the back of the chair, my legs are sitting Criss-cross applesauce in the chair, and my feet are numb from sitting too long. While doing this, be present in your body and ground your feet to the floor as if your grounding to the earth.
Everyone is different and depending on how servere your emotions are, you may have to try multiple different grounding exercises before you find what works. It may feel awkward or uncomfortable until you get used to it so I advise you to practice each individual grounding technique before you need it in times of distress. When you’re in the bathroom getting ready for bed practice doing theses in the mirror. The more you do it the more natural it will become. Remember practice makes perfect!