The Importance of Grounding (and Skills you can use!)

What is the purpose of grounding? Grounding helps anchor you to the present moment when you start to feel overwhelmed and spiraling. Each of these activities are designed to help ground you.

54321 “Game” Presented by Destiny

List:

5 things you see

4 things you hear

3 things you feel

2 things you smell

1 good thing about yourself

Wellness Check: Ask yourself:

Am I Hydrated?

Have I eaten recently?

What can I do for myself right now?

• Shower

• Paint your nails

• Put on lip balm

• Play a relaxing (video) game
  

Square Breathing

Do it 4 Times

Gratitude Journal--This is something I haven’t given you a starter for, but basically pick up a blank notebook and start collecting all the reasons you are grateful in it. Big things or little things. When something good happens to you: WRITE IT DOWN! Note: This is not a journal of your daily thoughts or feelings, this is purely things you are thankful for. When you are having a bad moment or day, read though some of it. It’s sure to pick you up. Keep this in your self-care kit.

I would also suggest getting note cards and start recording some of the coping mechanisms and skills we cover (or you discover) that work for you and also keep those in your self-care kit.

Bilateral Actions

Cross your arms and tap your biceps

Tap your left foot while circling your right leg

Basically anything that engages both sides of your brain and crosses the middle boundary.

Count, literally anything--it distracts your brain.

Change the room you’re in. Your brain releases different chemicals for different environments. That’s why when you change rooms, you sometimes forget what you were doing. By changing your environment, you are literally changing your brain chemistry. Next week will be a light week, as we will be discussing meditation and mindfulness. We may also play a game for relaxation. I look forward to seeing YOU!