5 tips to stay grounded
Now, more than ever, we feel the need to stay grounded, balanced, and strong. And for that, we should invest in self-care routines that are great for the spirit, mind, and body. Here I'm going to share some tips that I love to practice to improve my days.
1 Create a morning routine
Mornings can have a huge impact on our lives and on how the day goes.
There are different things to consider. For instance, one of what I believe to be a great way to start the day is by exercising, especially if you have a hard time getting out of bed. Exercising will tell your body that you are awake and ready to tackle the day. I guarantee you that you will feel as awake as if you had a cup of coffee. Another advantage in exercising early in the morning is that it ensures that you will not postpone it, as the day passes we tend to delay this type of activity. Obviously, you don't need to run a marathon early in the morning, think of a physical activity that you enjoy and that can be done in 15 or 20 minutes.
Another thing that has amazing benefits in a morning routine is meditation and gratitude. That you can do after the exercise when your body is awakened and your mind sharper. As for the meditation you have plenty of options to choose from, repeating a mantra like OM or, focusing on the breath instead. If you are new to meditation you can start by counting each inhale to 10 and start over, each time your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the breathing. Whatever meditation you choose, start by sitting comfortably and taking some good deep breaths. You can sit on the floor, pillow, or chair. If you're a beginner, 5 minutes is pretty good to start.
Practice Gratitude, this is an easy and pleasant activity and there are many ways that you can do it. Through a grateful meditation, by thinking on 3 things that you are grateful for, and journaling. This is proven to do wonders to your mood, and you can revisit that feeling of gratitude throughout the day, whenever needed! If you are new to manifesting gratitude, consider writing a daily list of things that you are grateful for. No matter how you choose to manifest gratitude, make an effort to feel it with all your heart.
Try tech free, early mornings, this may not seem like great advice, but it is! Avoid social media or emails before your morning routine, otherwise, you will start the day feeling distracted or anxious making it difficult to become grounded.
2 Have a daily schedule, so you and your body knows what's happening
We all have an internal clock but we usually don't pay much attention to it. It is easy to miss some signs when we have busy days or are feeling stressed. Try to be mindful of what your body is telling you, if you pay attention to it, you will be able to tell if you are working too hard, or if you are pushing your body to the limit. Wearing a piece of jewelry with Smoky Quartz crystal can be a great reminder, for each time you look at it ask yourself how do you feel and listen to your body. Furthermore, Smoky Quartz is one of the most efficient grounding stones. This stone is an exceptionally protective stone and has a strong connection with the earth. Another trick is to be consistent on your sleeping schedule and meals, think of your day and evaluate how you can adjust your agenda to be more consistent. Your body and mind will thank you! For example, since we don't need to have a big meal at night you can make your lunch a priority, by having nutritious and nourishing meals, always at the same time if possible. At lunchtime is also when our body is more capable of digestion and when you need it the most, to have energy all day long.
3 Use your senses
Are you feeling anxious? Try touching something and analyze how it feels, is it cold or warm, soft or harsh? What's the color and material? Is it heavy? All this attention will help you reduce your anxiety and stay in the moment. Or, go for a walk and pay attention to your surroundings. You may discover things that you haven't discovered before, listen to the sounds and feel the breeze. Just observe without judgment.
Another option is to savor your food, start by taking a good look at it, at the colors, shapes. How does it smell and taste? What's the texture like? Is it crunchy or soft? Spicy or sweet? The idea is to redirect your attention to things that are neutral or pleasant, and that you are experiencing at the moment.
4 Spend time in nature
If you live in a big city, visit the local park or a botanical garden. And observe the colors, shapes, sounds, and scents. The benefits of spending time in nature are enormous. In Japan, they even have an activity called Forest Bathing which is simply to connect with nature, with all our senses. This helps us to relax and restore vitality. The more often you do it, the better!
5 Nighttime routine
As important as how we wake up is how we go to bed. Having a nighttime ritual can help in having a good night's sleep. This is a tough one because most people appreciate watching their favorite show now, spending time on social media, or even doing some work before bed. The ideal scenario would be if you stay away from any type of screen at least one hour before bed. Obviously, we all have different preferences but here are some ideas to occupy your time before bed, with calming activities: reading, journaling, taking a warm bath, self-massage, meditation, or even planning the next day, as long as this doesn't bring you stress and worries. You can do any activity that is not too demanding and that does not require screens, such as, preparing your outfit and bag for the next day or doing some things around the house.
Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing. – Joanne Raptis