Softening into your grounding practices
As healing has become more mainstream, I have found that many practices and rituals are explained in a very rigid way, adding to them this need in which we may feel we have to do it. Hearing it explained in this way can leave us feeling disappointed, frustrated and cause us to reject trying the practices.
I have noticed this to come up a lot when it comes to grounding:
you have to be barefoot, on the grass, stay there for 20-30 minutes, enjoy it in order to get the full benefits.
Take a moment and notice how your body feels when you read that statement…if you notice any tension, discomfort, unease then keep reading…
It can be easy to feel like grounding isn’t for you if you aren’t able to do it in that exact way. But, what if, instead of it needing to be something so rigid we allowed for more exploration, play and finding new and creative ways to engage in the practice? How might that change our relationship and consistency to grounding practices?
Grounding dates back to one of the most primal practices - it is a way in which we are able to connect with the Earth and, in turn, with our bodies. Leaving us feeling more centered, calm, with a soothed nervous system, improving sleep, and so much more!
I don’t think anyone feels any of those ways when they are forced to ground in a specific way.
If you’re struggling to find a way to ground, here are some questions you may want to ask yourself:
What does grounding mean to me?
What is one practice that I think may support me in my grounding experience?
How can I implement that into my routine/rituals?
How do I feel when I have done that?
Now, notice how your body feels when you start to explore, give yourself options and release rigid expectations on how it should look? (In somatic experiencing, this is called tracking your experience in your body).
So I invite you to take some time, reflect on the questions above and discover ways to ground that makes sense to you. Whether that be a soft practice or a more rigid one - there is no right or wrong - the only right is the one that makes most sense to you.
