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Have you ever had issues grounding yourself? No, I don’t mean being sent to your room while you sob and listen to Morrissey (LIFE IS SO UNFAIIIIRRRRRR), nor protecting yourself from actual electric shock. I mean pulling back your focus from a nonstop mind and back into your physical body. Sometimes, I can lose myself in my thoughts, which causes me to feel spaced out, dizzy, and pretty damn strange, really. Like a mini out-of-body experience. Anyone else out there feel this way on occasion?
Bueller? Bueller?
I remember the first time a friend recommended grounding myself by lying outside and feeling the Earth beneath me. I looked at her like she was smoking crack. First off, itchy. Secondly, bugs. Finally, what would the neighbors think? “Oh look, there’s Sarah lying in her front yard. She seems to be fondling the grass and dirt. I knew that chick was weird.”
So maybe I’m not the type to fondle grass, but I have discovered little things that I can do around my home that keep me in the present moment and off the mental hamster wheel, especially when I don’t have much time on my hands due to mom duty.
1. Checking in with your body. If you have 5 minutes to spare and are feeling overwhelmed, sit down, close your eyes and do a body scan. Notice how your body feels – your feet, your legs, your hips, so on and so forth. Divert yourself from mental chatter, and just notice any sensations you have in your body. Don’t judge the sensations. Just observe.
2. Not down with rolling around in a grassy field? Bring nature inside. I love to have beautiful flowers and plants in the home to keep me grounded. Just their presence alone makes me happy, but they also bring my attention to the present moment while caring for them. (Yes, sometimes I touch the plants. Because they are SO DIFFERENT FROM GRASS.)
3. Breathe. Inhale and exhale slowly, counting from 1 to 5 each time. For many months, I thought the whole deep breathing concept was lame. Deep breaths can’t touch MY issues! Well, I’m here to report that as much as you think slow, rhythmic breathing won’t help, it actually does. It just takes more than a minute for your body and mind to get the signal that it’s time to chill out. Try it for at least 5 minutes and then tell me how you feel.
4. Hold your kids. Look at their faces. Count their freckles. Scratch their backs. Look into their eyes and ask them to tell you something funny. Don’t try to sneak a chore when they are answering your question. (So guilty of this.) Be present. Like my dad always said, the best way to stay grounded is to focus on the love around you, outside of you. Forget the to-do list for a bit and take every bit of your little ones in.
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What little things do you do that go a long way? Leave a comment here and you’ll be entered to win a $300 gift card from Target in the Little Bit Goes a Long Way Sweepstakes!
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Beverly
February 19, 2014 at 8:44 amI have older kids (17 and 21) so not nearly the stress of moms with little ones, but I still need that down time every day and try to be quiet for 15-20 each evening. Reading, staring out the window, journaling. Anything that helps clear the head and be with your own thoughts, reflecting on the day and what is most important in life.
Whitney
February 19, 2014 at 8:44 amListening to podcasts, petting my dogs, taking a long hot shower or bath, spending time outside now that it has warmed up help me relax.
Stephanie
February 19, 2014 at 8:46 amGoing outside for a short walk and fresh air during my lunch break is always energizing to me (even when it’s polar vortex weather in Boston!).
Kristen
February 19, 2014 at 8:47 amI love the idea of listening to your body! Such a great way to be calm and check in with yourself!
Rebecca Timmons
February 19, 2014 at 8:48 amA long shower and reading seem to help me chill out. When I can’t do that a good old fashioned tickle war with the kids seems to put everyone in a happy space! A $300 Target gift card could do the trick too ????.
Stacey
February 19, 2014 at 8:49 amMy boot camp every morning is the one good thing I do for myself to start my day. I know as soon as I return home, it’s always chaos 3 kids up, mornings, ah. I need to breathe more.
Stephanie
February 19, 2014 at 8:52 amWhen I start to feel overwhelmed by life I turn on some encouraging music and meditate on God’s promises. I ignore the housework and errands and just focus on playing with the kids. :)
Amy Mc.
February 19, 2014 at 8:59 amA little thing that we do is read together before bed every night with the kids!
Abi
February 19, 2014 at 9:02 amDoing my PT exercises (I hurt my left shoulder) helps me focus on my body. Since working with a therapist, I now notice my tendons, my muscles. It has been an enlightening journey to recovery.
One of my favorite things has been giving my kids a bath. They splash around, play with the bubbles… reminds me of how the smallest, littlest, silliest things can be soooo much fun.
Jessica
February 19, 2014 at 9:02 amOne of my goals this month I a to leave my phone and electronic devices out of the bedroom at night! I go to bed earlier and get more sleep which makes me happier! And oh, I always doubt the breathing thing to until I get really into it. It’ takes it a while for it to work for me but when it does, magicall!
Rachel
February 19, 2014 at 9:04 amI try to only clean up the kids toys during naps and after bed. I used to go around behind them and do it, but it was completely futile.
Jessica L.
February 19, 2014 at 9:04 amI say a thank you for something. In my mind or out loud, a thank you goes a long way on both ends.
Rachel
February 19, 2014 at 9:06 amI’ve been trying to read before bed instead of zoning out in front of the tv. Much better for my mental health and sleep!
Eva
February 19, 2014 at 9:06 amThank you!
Leigh
February 19, 2014 at 9:12 amMy 7 year old daughter and I do a sleep meditation for children every night. It helps her fall asleep easier and it helps me to just relax.