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Grounding Techniques

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How to Use Grounding Techniques for Anxiety Relief

Grounding techniques have gained a reputation among those coping with PTSD and panic attacks as an effective way to get back in control when feeling triggered. But, thought they shine in times of intense panic as a practical way to calm down, anyone can use Grounding Techniques to calm down and stop the drip, drip, drip of stress building to an uncomfortable roar.

An overview

Grounding Techniques are easy to learn and easy to do. You don't really need any special training, just a basic understanding of the purpose of grounding and a few ides on how to kick into action if you feel anxious or stressed.

So What is the Purpose of Grounding Techniques?
The purpose is to get back in touch with yourself in the present moment, to feel safe in your surroundings and calm and in control of your breath and your body.

Materials you'll need

You don't need anything but a sense of personal awareness. By practicing awareness of your posture and breath in certain situations you can quickly master the art of stopping anxiety before it spikes by using a simple grounding technique of your choice.

The example below is a good way to get started...

Step 1:

Look up. When we are feeling stressed and anxious we tend to look down, this puts us in an internally focussed state where any stress or negative feelings are easily dwelt up and can quickly snowball.

So the first key step in any situation of uncertainty, overwhelm, or anxiety is to look up. Move your eyes up toward the sky and take a deep breath in.

Step 2:

Feel your connection with the earth. When we are ungrounded we feel disconnected and "spaced out" to feel grounded again you need to focus on your connection with the ground.

Feel your feet on the floor, move them about and feel the sensation of the ground against your feet. Start walking about or stamp them against the floor and really focus on the solid feel of the earth beneath you.

Imagine that you are rooted to it.

Step 3:

Feel your frame. Bend your knees slightly and push your hands down onto your thighs - feel how solid your frame is. Pat up and down your arms and legs - this opens the meridian channels and reminds you of your solid physical self.

Your are here, you are strong, you can cope.

YouTube Grounding Techniques

Grounding Techniques - a video tutorial

A simple grounding exercise for reducing stress and anxiety.
powered by Youtube

Grounding Techniques Resources:

Further info on how to get the best from grounding technqiues

Sometimes we need a little more background before we try even the simplest things. Here's were to go for further instructions or audio walkthroughs on how to add a dash of grounding to your day.
How to Control Anxiety with Grounding Techniques
An article on Grounding Techniques - here's a clip:

"Grounding techniques can help you stay calmly focused in the present moment. They are easy to do and valuable for learning how to control anxiety. Grounding techniques steady the mind by drawing it to notice normal physical sensations. This simple noticing of the body trigger..."
Make Like a Mountain
Another article on Grounding Techniques - here's a clip:

"Stand still, be calm, be centred and be strong. This is the message from Yoga and from Qi Gong - two systems designed to keep us calm and healthy throughout our lives. Both arts favour still, standing poses, to develop core strength, stability and peace. Standing poses invoke the mood of the mountain..."
Healing Energy Guided Meditation
A guided qigong standing meditation - perfect for grounding and releasing tension before settling down for the evening.
Grounding Techniques: How to Use Your Senses to Get Grounded
A list of simple ways to use your senses to reduce stress and anxiety.
Grounding Techniques mp3s
Grounding Techniques are simple exercises which can be used to release stress and anxiety and help you feel rooted and steady in present moment awareness. You can download a selection of exercises here that talk you through the techniques with relaxing music.
Anxiety Breathing Techniques
What if you had a handful of quick and easy breathing exercises that you could try while you were sitting at a red light, or washing dishes, or picking the kids up from school, or waiting in line?
Self Help Anxiety Relief Tips from AnxietySlayer.com - add this baking ingredient to your bath
Everyone knows lavender can help us relax in the bath, but here are two lesser known remedies that are good for natural anxiety relief too, and the great news is that they are easy to get in any grocery store. They are ginger and baking soda.
Self Help Anxiety Relief Tips from AnxietySlayer.com - How to Challenge Anxious Thoughts
Excerpt: Anxiety can cloud your thinking and make everything seem dark and dreadful. When your mind is overrun with worries it's easy to fall into the trap of anticipating negative outcomes. You might dread any event, journey, or social occasion because you're scared of what might go wrong....

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ananga

Hello, I'm Ananga Sivyer - a health writer with a passion for helping people feel positive and in control of their lives.

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