Get Grounded
WHAT IS GROUNDING?
Is it where you lay on the ground and hug the Earth? Well, it certainly can be for some people, especially Earth Types. Grounding is the act of connecting your body, mind and spirit together. It means to embody yourself as a being. To be present in a physical body that contains a mind and spirt existing on the Earth/ground where you sit/stand and take up space. Some refer to it as “Rooting Down” into yourself. For me, it’s more creating a connection within a physical dimension with which all life operates.
But what is grounding… You know the moments when tensions start to rise, you feel over-whelmed, all over the place, confused, unsure what to do or panicked? Grounding can/will help you recenter within your body to create a space of peace and calm, we feel back home and safe. When we have this calm we can engage all aspects of our life better and make more appropriate decisions.
Not to get too granola on you but we are creatures of this planet. Mother Earth births life and death all day, everyday and we are simply creatures that take part in this exchange. Being of this planet, we receive energy and nourishment from it, it is the life blood she provides on an ever constant basis every second of every minute of every day. When we engage in activites that allow us to re-align with this natural energy source, this is grounding for us. For example, have you ever felt amazing after a quick walk in nature? You’d argue that there could be something magical that transpires. You think maybe its the fresh air or the sun on your face but wonder about an unexplainable exchange…. except its not because you are just returning back to where you are meant to be. Out in nature, one with nature.
If you wanna jump into the science of it…. cuz I love that stuff it has to do with the bioelectrical energy the earth exudes that we can absorb and harness. Its dispensing electrons we use.
WHY DO WE NEED GROUNDING?
Much of today’s civilization creates distance between the earth and us. We wear rubber insulated or plastic soled shoes on our feet that make a barrier for contact. We sleep in houses 1-2 stories tall, so far elevated off the ground. We work in high-rise office buildings, we drive in automobiles, all day long separated from touching the very thing that brings us life. I invite you to think about it, when was the last time your naked feet or part of your body was in direct contact with the Earth's energy field?
The more we separate from the Earth, we feel a dis-balance in all areas of our lives. We become mentally absent, emotionally triggered by everything, we lose coordination in our physical body and just plain feel out of touch. We lack of focus and can feel quite scattered.
Grounding allows for that electron transfer, that energy exchange where realignment and reconnection can occur.
HOW CAN I GROUND?
There are a great many ways to ground and actually based on your zodiac, some are more effective than others. As busy humans we are all about having the best bang for the buck right?
Also when we refer to grounding, its not some one and done thing. It’s also not something that happens without our conscious intention tho it can. Grounding is a practice. Practice in which, thought is seems easy and simple to get grounded, often times it is anything but. Today’s life and modern workings are not designed to have you stay connected. Electronics, buildings, foods…. they take us away and once away we get lost. We prioritized other things, we don’t feel we have earned it, not worthy of it, we distract ourselfes, make excused “I don’t have time right now” you know what I mean. Anytime there is something you really want to do or know you need to do but put it off….that is a practice to become aware of. Just like this is a practice,. You have to make the effort to do it. Good news is, when you come back to these things repeatedly, you get the hang of it and achieve some really fantastic benefits.
note: all the the below options only require intentional effort.
Go Outside. So simple! Stay out there at least 10 minutes and just have the intention of connecting with nature. Look around, notice something beautiful, notice your senses - how does it smell, how does it sound, how does it taste, how does it feel - cold, hot, humid, perfect… Bonus points to walk outside nature barefoot. If only for 3 minutes, you can dramatically change your energy just by doing this one thing.
Mediate. Sit in one place, take many deep breaths and attempt to arrive in the here and now. Same thing you did outside, take an inventory of your senses. What can you hear, how far away is it, What can you smell? How does it taste? What is touching your skin? Is it soft, hard, where is the point of contact? What does it feel like. If you can, then try to settle into your mind and clear your thoughts. Watch your thoughts with love and without judgement. Doing this for 5 minutes greatly grounds you into your body.
Bonus points to do a grounding meditation outdoors in direct contact with the Earth!!!
Conscious Breathing - There are several different techniques you could emplor - 4 square breathing or boxed breathing, 5,6,7 breathing, breath of fire, pursed lip breathing, opposite nostril breathing, But for the sake of this newsletter - start by simply taking a slow, deep inhale though your nose for 5 counts, hold for 3..2…1… and then a slowly, deeply exhale for 5 counts. Holding empty for 3…2….1… Filling your belly when you inhale. Repeat this for 3x’s and notice how your body feels when you're done.
Observing nature - Getting outside can be difficult sometimes, maybe your about to go into a meeting and don’t have time to frolic thought a field cuz you have a presentation that is coming up in 5 minutes. Taking a moment to look at a picture of nature, maybe a picture of the beach hanging on the wall or looking through your photo’s of a hike you took over the past weekend. Just by having the intention and focus on nature, combined with some deep breaths is a highly effective grounding technique. The key is taking your conscious mind to the activity, looking at nature.
Hold Some Crystals
Hematite stones are the best crystal for grounding because it absorbs negative energy and helps to keep you connected to the earth. It is a strong Root Chakra mineral allowing for more inner strength.
Black Tourmaline is a powerful grounding stone absorbing negative energies and allowing protection from harm. It also has a strong connection to mother nature, with both internal and external influences.
Smoke Quartz is one of the most powerful grounding crystals to cleanse and clear the energy around you. It takes negative energy and sends it down into the Earth where it is transformed into positive energy, which is sent back up into your energy field.
Journaling - Whether prompted or just taking a pen to the page, journaling is a wonderful way to reconnect with yourself and ground into the moment. Here are some prompts to get you going.
Take note of the physical environment around you, what is real around you. Take note of color, scent, temperature and how it makes you feel. Do you like them or not, would you change anything or not.
Where are you in your day? What is present time. What has come before this and what is coming up after. How do you feel at this present moment?
What was something that happened in the lat 24 hours that made you feel happy and/or sad.
Think about someone in your life who has made you feel grounded and calm. Which attributes does this person have that made you feel grounded? Is it possible to apply those methods to yourself? If so, write how you can.
Grounding Based on Your Element Type
To take it a step deeper, we are all born with elemental components or forces. All 4 are within each body at all times but depending on your birth time, where the plants were when you were born, these forces influenced your bodies primary elemental type and more than another. Knowing your type is to hold a key to better understanding yourself, your body being and your self-care needs. Some general knowledge of each element.
For each type there are more effective grounding practices, meaning practices that can have a more supportive role in your overall being. I can speak from experience, anytime my children are especially wired as soon as we get in nature and immersed in their “type,” they are whole in a manor of seconds. It’s so radical to see the change in them and that’s why I feel called to share this with you. I invite you to have this childlike innocence when you are seeking grounding, that is the goal after all. So let go of your adult critic and let your spirit soar.
Also there are greater nuances for each zodiac that you can later explore, but for now let’s start here. Don’t know your zodiac? Click here for a very detailed Birth Chart to explore.
Air: Is our thoughts, brain chemistry, and the ways we communicate.
The Air Signs are : Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Grounding for Air Types: Being of the air you want to feel the wind, that may mean climbing a tree to get up high or going to the roof of a building. It could also be opening your car window are you are driving home and feeling the air tussle your hair over and away. Singing is especially helpful, getting your lungs breathing and pushing the air out with some sweet melodies. Do you have any wind chimes hanging outside? These can be therapeutic elements for you, as the wind is the life force behind them.
Earth: Our sense of safety and security, purpose, self-worth, work ethic, abundance, and receptivity.
The Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Grounding for Earth Types: Though our set point is already heavily stable it is important and we get outdoors as much as possible, allowing for touching with bare feet and bare hands in the dirt. Digging holes or my favorite tending to a garden, whatever we can do FEEL the earth. Indoor potted plants and greenery are a must also stones or pebbles in a vase for you to touch and handle.
Fire: Our creativity, vitality, motivation and drive, movement, and sexuality.
The Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Grounding for Fire Types: Have you noticed how much you love being by a campfire? Watching the burning flame will bring you peace and inner calm. Those fires a limited but you can achieve the same at home by lighting a candle, burning incense or smudging with sage. Lighting a match and watch the flame dance then dance a moment yourself feeling alive and vibrant.
Water: Our feelings, intuition, emotions, and inner world.
The Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Grounding for Water Types: Splish-splash get in the bath! Immersing yourself in water in any way. Wash your hands, dip your feet in a babbly brook or stream. Getting near a body of water and watching the waves or current flow gently down. Waterfalls are especially beneifital in times of turbulance as you can see how strong water can truly be.
As I mentioned before grounding is a practice, try it and see how you feel. The worst thing that could happen is you try something new and realize its not for you, which IS a win cuz you just learned about yourself.