Hello Everyone,
This week’s super simple technique for self-managing feelings of anxiety, stress and panic starts with feeling your feet on the ground; connected to the strong, ancient Earth. Connect to its strength, endurance, permanence and support - eternal, even as it changes.
Feet on the Ground, Breathe
Start by placing your feet on the floor or ground, closer to nature is more powerful. Slightly deepen your breath, focussing on the exhalation being complete, so that your inhalation is easier. It’s usually smoother and calmer if you breathe through your nose rather than your mouth, if possible.
Be Present
Look slowly around and name the things you see - chair, floor, cupboard, or tree, grass, daffodils - depending where you are. Naming things makes you focus on the here and now, even if it’s very mundane stuff. Mundane can be comforting!
Visualise your Strong Place
Feeling your feet on the ground, slowing your breathing, and naming the things in your immediate environment to anchor your attention, can be enough to take the edge off a moment of high stress or anxiety.
If you want to ground yourself further, and take a bit longer to quieten your nervous system, now try taking yourself in your imagination to a place that helps you to feel strong.
You may need to give that some advance thought - I have had to think about this one - where, or under what circumstances do I feel most clear, calm, strong and healthy?
If you visualise yourself in that place, or circumstance, just sitting with it and breathing, some of the good, self-supporting feelings from that place, time or circumstance will infuse you like a healing elixir.
Stay there a few minutes, breathing, eyes closed, before coming back.