Testing grounding techniques
Have you ever tested the benefits of grounding techniques? Grounding exercises can be used to keep you connected to the present and help to avoid feelings, memories, flashbacks or intrusive thoughts that you don’t feel able to cope with yet.
We recently explored this practice in some of our Safe Space sessions, with members ready to test out ways of focusing the mind and blocking out negative thoughts and found it to be an intriguing concept, one we wanted to share with audiences.
So, what do grounding techniques look like?
In the session we explored the 5 senses using drawing, writing and verbal feedback. The prompts were:
+ Draw a nose & write 5 smells that bring you comfort
+ Draw an eye and write down 5 things you like looking at
+ Draw a mouth and note down 5 things you like to eat, taste
+ Draw an ear and write down 5 things you like to listen to that bring you comfort and joy
+ Draw a hand and write down 5 things you like to touch/feel
We had a bit of a laugh looking at each other’s drawings, especially the ears! The group were invited to discuss their responses providing them with the opportunity to speak in front of a group, promoting self-esteem and confidence. It was pleasant to listen to other people’s lists; the sound of cars moving in the distance, the smell of Spain when you get off the plane, the taste of burnt onions, the sound of silence..
Whilst simple in concept we really recommend giving this a go yourself with friends or family to see if this method of self care could benefit your current mindset. You may find something out about each other, or yourself, you didn’t know before! You could also try:
+ Breathing slowly
+ Listening to the sounds around you
+ Walking barefoot
+ Wrapping yourself in a blanket and feeling it around you
+ Touching or sniffing something with a strong smell
Focus on the sensations you are feeling right now. Consider keeping a box of things with different textures and smells (for example perfume, a blanket and some smooth stones) ready for when you need it.
