How to stay grounded

You will hear this word spoken often right now. It is one of the most important practises we have to focus on.

It isn’t woo woo it’s biology. We have to reduce how we are working and disconnect from the overwhelm. We have in the UK burnt out and then some.

To pretend it isn’t tough right now is like saying climate change isn’t happening. Both are true and both are frightening, however if we don’t face the fear we can’t overcome it. Or create the solutions to redesign our broken systems.

Feeling grounded, safe in your nervous system is essential for operating well.

If you are overwhelmed it is difficult to see the woods for the trees and make sound decisions to produce feel good hormones…which is the irony, it is seeing the woods for the trees that will bring you back to feeling grounded.

The energy, the sounds of nature settle our parasympathetic nervous system (regulating and releasing fear or anxiety).

Every day whatever the weather I will have some form of exercise outside even just a walk. Walking is higher in health benefits than running by around 6% .

I like both for different reasons and depends on my mood or my plans. 15 minutes of being outdoors shifts your nervous system out of a trauma response to replacing your mind with serotonin and endorphins plus dopamine.

People who are neurodivergent (yet remembering one size doesn’t fit all), would benefit from an immediate workout as this boosts their low dopamine levels setting them up for the day, not on the back foot.

Which is why having healthier habits and reducing time online helps most feel secure and productive . Natural hits rather than fake ones.

The win here is, take that walk or wheel a day just 15 minutes is an instant game changer. It shakes out the fear and replaces your mind with focus.

This is a challenging time for many of us in all aspects, yet we have to stay connected with ourselves in body and mind and with people who feel like sunshine.

Your environment mirrors your life it really is that simple. Yet when it becomes challenging it is important to know that it’s part of growth and life, not all of it makes sense, and sometimes you have to rest to reset. Accept, Process and Adapt (APA).

Staying grounded is by being around people in all areas of your life who support you and your growth, especially people who challenge you to hold yourself accountable and be better.

Your nervous systems knows before you have even decided so trust your instinct:

Breathe

( practise 4-7-8 method) Breathing in for 4 seconds , hold it for 7, then exhale for 8.

There are many forms of breathing techniques I prefer this one, the key is consistency.

Developing the tools, the muscle memory for when life throws curve balls you know you won’t

panic.

Write it down….You feel it, name it, and practise the feeling which you already recognise,

in how to return back to a safe space in your mind.

Practise:

I am calm, I am safe, I am well…repetition is important to retain and create that new habit to stay…well grounded.