Grounding in an unsteady world

This blog was written by Zoe Klein, Teacher & Founder of Zoga 

If there is one thing that we know for sure, it’s that everything is always changing. No two moments or days are ever the same. We grow older and so does our environment. Everything in life is always moving, that’s how we know that it’s alive. But the catch is that our minds trick us into thinking that everything should remain as it is. Perhaps that’s because change can be uncomfortable and as humans, we like comfort and familiarity. But with change comes growth and growth is an essential part of being alive. Imagine a life where nothing ever changed, pretty unfulfilling right?

The question is, how do we, as growing and developing humans, in a growing and developing environment, remain somewhat stable? How do we make sure that we don’t get overwhelmed with all of the movement but instead embrace it for our growth? 

Grounding is one way that we can help ourselves to feel steady. The earth is the most stable and dense element in nature. When life gets a bit overwhelming, sensing into this stable quality can help alleviate those less tangible and more aloof feelings of anxiety or uncertainty. When things are in limbo, we over-think. We create stories about what might happen in the future, without any real evidence or proof. But when we sense the ground, it requires us to be present. We can only ever tap into that stable quality when we are completely in the moment. And when we are completely in the moment, it is impossible to be worrying about the past or future. 

Here are a few ways that I like to ground throughout the day. These techniques are perfect for when you’re caught up in over thinking, worrying, or rushing around.

1. Take three deep belly breaths. Breathing is the most easily accessible tool for becoming present. Set daily reminders to stop what you’re doing and pay attention to your body.

1. Either sitting or standing, feel your feet against the ground. Notice the stability of the earth and let your mind quiet down into your feet.

1. Leave your phone inside and get outdoors. Even better if you can take off your shoes. Immersing yourself in the colours, sounds and smells of nature has a calming effect on the nervous system.

1. Engage in play. Do something that makes you smile or laugh. Even better if it’s something that requires you to use your hands.

1. Eat something green and pay attention to the taste, texture and quality of the plant.

Remember that grounding is a practice. You might not remember 100% of the time and that is okay. Just remember that with change always comes growth. Writing in your journal is a great way to identify learnings from life’s tricky challenges.