Self-Care for Tough Times
6 grounding practices to soothe your anxious body and mind
We all have tough days from time to time, but what happens when those days become weeks, or maybe even longer? What can you do to cope?
While it really is true that, “this too shall pass”, that quote doesn’t feel true when you’re in the middle of a crisis.
It can feel like it’ll never, ever end.
When experiencing times like these, in addition to seeking support from others (such as friends, family, coaches, therapists, colleagues, etc.), self-care practices are key in ensuring your mental health and wellbeing.
To stay mentally healthy, it’s important to believe that you have some control in any circumstance. Always remember that you have control over how you take care of yourself.
How you take care of yourself will determine how you respond in a crisis situation.
Practicing self-care daily will help you maintain a positive mindset when things fall apart.
My favourite self-care practices for good times and tough times include yoga, meditation, journaling/writing, nature walks with my dog, and reading a good book. When the world feels like it’s falling apart, these practices help me keep myself together.
When you’re experiencing tough times, your body’s nervous system will likely be in a heightened state of anxiety, so practices that are grounding, that help you connect yourself to earth, are particularly helpful. I’d like to share a few of those here.
6 grounding earth energy practices to calm anxiety
If you practice yoga, you’ll be familiar with the root chakra and the concept of grounding and rooting into earth energy (i.e., tree pose, mountain pose, child’s pose, etc.).
That rooted earth energy is connected to our safety, security, and stability. Those things are all in upheaval when we’re in the middle of a crisis.
Here are some grounding strategies that help you tap into earth energy:
Stand in mountain pose (or sit in seated mountain pose) and feel your feet and body connected to the earth. You may want to stay strong, still, and secure, or you may want to move your mountain and gently sway. Listen to your body and do what feels right in the moment.
Sit quietly and visualize yourself as a tree or a mountain. Try repeating the Meditation for Grounding (see below).
Get out into nature and go for a meditative walk in the woods or a nearby park. Forest bathing is a real thing and actually works. Notice the trees as your feet connect to the earth.
Find a stream or a pond and sit down beside it. Sit directly on the earth or on a nearby log or bench. Listen to the water and notice how it keeps moving, always changing. Watch it flow by and imagine your thoughts flowing by too. Feel yourself connected to the flow of life.
Play in your garden - the adult’s version of a sand box. Dig in the dirt with your hands. If you don’t have a garden, then buy yourself a small pot, a plant, some dirt, and do some playing. Dig in the dirt a little.
Write in a journal. First try a seated mountain pose and connect your body to the chair and your feet to the floor. Then, connect your pen to the paper. Let your pen move across the paper as your body is connected to the earth. Listen to the sound of the pen and feel it glide across the page. How does it feel in your hand? This is a beautiful way to connect with yourself.
Journal Prompt:
What could I do today to create more grounded earth energy?
Meditation for Grounding
I am grounded.
My true self is grounded
in deep earth energy.
I am calm, centered and peaceful.
Try one of the suggestions above or come up with something on your own that feels nourishing for your body, mind and soul.
Be kind to yourself and have compassion for yourself. This too (really) will pass.
———
I’d love to hear from you so please send any comments or questions to me at sharon@sharonashtoncoaching.com. Feel free to share this email with anyone else who may be interested.
Please check out The Journey Within podcast at:
What is stopping you from living your best life? Get out your journal and a pen and take the new quiz on my website to find out:
Are you interested in learning more about life change & mindset coaching from a mind/body perspective? Please email me at sharon@sharonashtonmindfulyoga.com for more information or to schedule a free introductory consultation to see if coaching is right for you. You can also visit my website coaching page.
"I felt at complete ease with Sharon from our first conversation. She has a wonderful, gentle but firm way that made me focus on my thoughts / feelings so I could remove / change to move forward with a completely different feeling to what felt like obstacles. It was great having regular coaching that gently kept me accountable to actioning and moving towards my goals. Sharon has vast experience in so many areas, I felt that makes her an amazing coach.”
— Michelle Carney, East Galway, Ireland
You can access your free Find Your Inner Coach Guide including a guided visualization and journal prompts here:
If you’re interested in more inspiration and community around positive mindset, slow mindful yoga, meditation and mindful writing practices, come join our private Facebook group here: