*Header Photograph by Pixelshot.
When was the last time you took off your socks and shoes, sank your toes into the grass, closed your eyes, and lifted your face to the sun?
For me, it was this morning. Actually, once I manage to roll myself out of bed, it’s how I start most mornings. When I take my dog out into the yard to do his business, I do mine—grounding myself, that is.
For any neighbors peeking out their windows at just the right moment, they’ll catch a glimpse of me standing and facing east, my head tilted toward the sky. I might be twisting back and forth, stretching, or simply standing frozen in place. What they don’t see is my anxious nervous system calming down or the boost in my mood.
No idea when it became a Thing, but last year, during a particularly overstimulating day, my brain wouldn’t stop insisting: Go outside. Jump in the grass.
And so I did.
All that scattered, frazzled energy? Dissipated within minutes.
Don’t take my word for it—the benefits are well-known.
Even if you’re not ready to throw off your slippers and skip around your yard just yet, I’d argue it’s still really important to find some way to ground yourself before the day begins—for two big reasons.
Reason one: it’s an intentional moment of putting yourself first before the outside world has a chance to pull at your energy, place expectations on you, or make you doubt what you already know.
Reason two: it sets the tone for the day. Have you heard the phrase “I stay ready so I don’t have to get ready?” It’s the same sentiment: Stay grounded so you don’t have to get grounded.
Five Ways to Ground Yourself First Thing
- Go touch grass!
- Meditate: I highly recommend “Molly’s Morning Meditations.” This podcast offers a library of 10-15-minute meditations on a wide variety of topics.
- Morning Pages: Take 30-minutes and hand write everything that pops into your brain, no matter how small. This frees up mental real estate and can help you start the day with clarity. Find more info about Morning Pages here.
- Stretch: If you’re an overachiever, you can put on a yoga video. The point is to be aware of and in your body.
- Affirmations: Words have power. If you wake up and repeat “I’m fucking fabulous and I’m going to have a fabulous day,” chances are it’s more likely to happen. Write them AND say them aloud for added oomph!
If these all feel like heavy lifts, start with something small. The moment you open your eyes, ask yourself, “What do I need from today?” and pay attention to whatever comes up first.
