Note: if you prefer to watch rather than read content, I have a couple of short videos covering the same information about grounding - you can watch them here (Grounding Part 1) and here (Grounding Part 2 - practical tips).
This is the first in a series of articles on the basics of energy hygiene practices (grounding, protection and clearing), which keep our mind-body-energy system operating smoothly. These are simple self-care practices that are useful for everyone, not just alternative health and spirituality folk.
I often share this information with my clients because many people don’t know how to keep their energy clean and tidy, and I want my clients to feel good for longer in between sessions with me. I also use these techniques myself - I have to! If I don't, I don't have much stamina for energy healing or readings - it is easy for me to feel drained afterwards.
ENERGY BASICS
All living things have an energy field - a subtle body – which can be affected by many things including our thoughts, the physical spaces we spend time in and the people we are around. Energy fields can overlap, mingle or transfer some of their contents. As woo-woo as it may sound, most of us can relate to the concept of places having an atmosphere and people having a vibe.
Grounding, protection and clearing help keep your energy field safe and intact, and can keep other energies where they belong, all of which helps you go about your day with more ease. Conversely, if your energy is ungrounded or unprotected, your mental focus and physical performance may decline; you may feel drained, moody, unwell or not quite yourself. These signs are worth being aware of, although obviously there are many other factors that can cause you to feel off.
Bringing your energy back to equilibrium can be easy and is the main point of this series of articles. In brief, there are techniques involving the body, the mind or words, nature or the elements, and some external methods (like seeing a healer or using a specific product).
OK, on to grounding...
GROUNDING
Grounding refers to stabilising or ‘earthing’ your energy. If you aren't grounded you might feel spaced out, unable to focus, overly emotional in unpredictable ways, or you might not feel your normal self. Your ‘symptoms’ may be different, so consider this for a moment - how might you know when you’re ungrounded?
For me personally, any kind of overdoing it can cause me to lose my grounding - if I'm tired or haven't eaten enough. Tiredness, hunger, cravings, moods that don't make sense and inability to focus are signs I am ungrounded.
You may start to recognise certain signs within yourself, but if you're not sure, the good news is you can simply try some of the following grounding exercises and see if they help. Most of them can improve how you feel within minutes.
EASY GROUNDING PRACTICES
Here is a short list of options to try - it's certainly not exhaustive. Choose one or more, but don't overload yourself or rush through multiple practices.
- drink or eat (for hydration, electrolytes or proper sustenance)
- choose real foods and drinks as far possible,
- avoid energy drinks, caffeine and alcohol if you are ungrounded
- add salt or electrolytes if appropriate
- walk barefoot
- massage your feet
- touch or get low to the ground: sit, squat, do downward-facing dog
- move your body: walk / run / dance / gym / yoga / etc.
- hold the Kidney 1 acupoints for 1 – 3 minutes (see the header image here - even a baby can do this!)
- simply cup the palm of your hand over your sole of your foot, just below the ball of your foot
- breathe easily, with eyes closed if you like
- bonus points for doing this while sitting on the floor
- state this affirmation: I am 100% grounded in full, conscious reality.
- visualisation:
- imagine a heavy-duty cord connecting your root chakra (perineum) to the centre of the earth. (You can visualise the grounding cord any way you like - for example, something like a long rope with a heavy anchor at the end, or tree roots. Take time to experiment until you feel comfortable with the image that you are using.)
- the grounding cord is flexible and long enough to move with you wherever you are on planet Earth.
- this cord grounds your physical body as well as your energy field (which extends beyond the physical body).
- you should notice a difference before and after doing this visualisation - and you can do it as often as you like.
- bodywork or energy healing: of course, you can opt to have a session with someone (like me) for healing, or other modalities.
You can experiment with these to find your favourites. You might want to try doing a grounding practice every morning, for example, to set you up for the day ahead. Once you know what benefits you on a good day, you'll be able to remember it easily on a bad day, when you really need it.
Happy grounding practice!