Grounding is the practice of connecting with the present moment, stabilizing oneself emotionally and physically. It is sometimes called regulation. It’s often used to bring balance and calm, especially during moments of stress, anxiety, or when feeling “ungrounded” (scattered, overwhelmed, or disconnected from reality).
If a client is in this type of emotional pain, it’s wise to help them get stable before and during inner child work. Everything becomes easier.
Stop any triggering conversations or situations. Get quiet. Get alone if necessary.
Grounding practices can be physical, emotional, or mental.
Go outside. Notice the season, weather, and time of day.
Walk barefoot in grass or sand.
Press your feet firmly against the ground.
Wash your hands. Warm water calms.
Focus on your breath.
Box breathing is practice by the Navy SEALs when stressed: breathe in to the count of 4, hold for the count of 4, breathe out to the count of 4, and hold for the count of 4.
Take 10 deep breaths. Lengthen the exhales. That relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system. Science tells us we cannot breathe deeply and be stressed at the same time.
Name things around you, that you can see, hear, or feel.
Count steps as you walk.
Stamp feet alternately and say “left, right, left, right”.
March and sing together, like line dancing, or soldiers who march and say “left, right” together.
Call out body parts for the client: “Put your right hand on your left shoulder… etc.”
Get a good, squeezing hug. If you are alone, back into a corner and hug yourself.
Bundling calms babies. Wrap them up snuggly.
Visualize a hug from your inner guide or angel.
Martial arts, such as a gentle horse stance, (an exercise from Tai-chi and Chi Kung).
Journal thoughts and feelings.
Do Real Conversations.
Eat healthy protein and fat. They stabilize blood sugar.
Listen to the HU app. Or the Calm app.
What else would you add?
I suggest just pick a few of these, that you can fall back on when needed for yourself for a client.
Grounding helps people return to a state of calm, making it useful for managing stress, anxiety, trauma responses, and daily challenges.
If a client is in this type of emotional pain, it’s wise to help them get stable before and during inner child work. Everything becomes easier.
Stop any triggering conversations or situations. Get quiet. Get alone if necessary.
Grounding practices can be physical, emotional, or mental.
Go outside. Notice the season, weather, and time of day.
Get sunshine.
Watch a sunrise barefoot.
Walk barefoot in grass or sand.
Press your feet firmly against the ground.
Wash your hands. Warm water calms.
Focus on your breath.
Box breathing is practice by the Navy SEALs when stressed: breathe in to the count of 4, hold for the count of 4, breathe out to the count of 4, and hold for the count of 4.
Take 10 deep breaths. Lengthen the exhales. That relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system. Science tells us we cannot breathe deeply and be stressed at the same time.
Name things around you, that you can see, hear, or feel.
Count steps as you walk.
Stamp feet alternately and say “left, right, left, right”.
March and sing together, like line dancing, or soldiers who march and say “left, right” together.
Call out body parts for the client: “Put your right hand on your left shoulder… etc.”
Get a good, squeezing hug. If you are alone, back into a corner and hug yourself.
Bundling calms babies. Wrap them up snuggly.
Visualize a hug from your inner guide or angel.
Martial arts, such as a gentle horse stance, (an exercise from Tai-chi and Chi Kung).
Journal thoughts and feelings.
Do Real Conversations.
Eat healthy protein and fat. They stabilize blood sugar.
Listen to the HU app. Or the Calm app.
What else would you add?
I suggest just pick a few of these, that you can fall back on when needed for yourself for a client.
Grounding helps people return to a state of calm, making it useful for managing stress, anxiety, trauma responses, and daily challenges.