We are offering a weekly blog series with a collection of diverse and effective coping techniques and exercises that can help reduce stress, improve mental and emotional well-being, and perhaps make you even more effective in achieving your individual goals. Check back every Wednesday for the newest skill of the week. Try them all out and find what works best for you.
This week, Katie Godfrey, PhD, LMFT, shares Calming Grounding Techniques.
Calming grounding techniques are helpful tools to use when you are feeling dysregulated and need to self-soothe. These simple techniques use comfort to bring you back into the present moment. They are helpful for adults and children.
- Peaceful Place: Think of a place that feels calm and serene to you. It can be a place you have been or a place you long to go. For some people, places in natural settings such as the mountains or the beach feel peaceful while for others it may be feeling cozy in front of a fireplace. Engage your five senses when you think about this place and notice what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.
- Treats: Indulge in a treat such as a sweet dessert, a bouquet of flowers, or a relaxing bath. Be mindful and pay attention to the details of your treat.
- Memorize a mantra: Find something that makes you feel good every time you recite it. It may be a poem, song lyrics, a prayer, a coping statement, or an inspirational quote. If you memorize it, you will always have it with you!
- Focus on something you are looking forward to doing, no matter how small. If you can’t think of anything, plan something new!
