In a world where we constantly push ourselves to do more, and are expected to be available to anyone 24/7 due to modern technology, it’s no wonder so many of us are often sick, run down, overwhelmed, drinking too much or trying to medicate to relax and take the edge off.

We’re expected to be “on” at all times for our bosses, colleagues, friends and children, with very little time to slow down and actually think.

Not thinking is what gets us into trouble.

In the pursuit of “doing,” we often stop “feeling,” and when we stop feeling, we start repressing a lot of crap.

It’s times like this where we break down because we are so disconnected from ourselves and what we are feeling. It’s also a time where we start feeling a ton of anxiety, anxiousness, lack of focus and lack of energy. We can’t figure out why, but more often than not it’s because we aren’t grounded.

Grounding is a way to dispel negative energy and maintain a flow of good energy in the body. It’s a process that helps the body connect to life-sustaining earth energies via the root chakra.

Grounding and energy work are key to bringing us back into balance and tuning into what our bodies are trying to tell us.

You don’t have to be the grand master Buddha or some highly enlightened being to ground. This is stuff anyone, of any age, can do.

These are seven great ways to ground yourself:

1) Go outside barefoot and stand in the grass.

There’s something about connecting our feet to the earth that helps ground us. Being in nature is one of the best ways to reconnect to your spirit and life source and ground. Visualize tree roots coming out of the soles of your feet and connecting into the earth, anchoring you.

2) Envision a pillar of white light flowing through your crown chakra and say your name three times.

This is a wonderful practice taught to me by my close friend who is a Reiki Master. Imagine your name traveling down the pillar of light and melding with it. Visualize all of the stress and negativity you’re carrying flowing down through the pillar and into the earth. Then visualize clear, positive energy returning back from the Earth into you. This is a great form of meditation and an excellent way to ground.

3) Take a bath of Epson salts with lavender oil.

Water is purifying, and sitting in a warm tub of water will help in washing off any negative energy stuck to you. We often bring home the negative energy of other people. Epson salts help in clearing away negative energy and the lavender oil helps in relaxation. Visualize all of the negativity the Epson salts have absorbed going down the drain when you’re done.

4) Meditation.

Meditation is one of the best ways to ground and center yourself. It helps bring about awareness and makes you more in tune with subtle energies in you body. In meditation, you can do a body scan and tap into what feels out of sync. You don’t have to spend hours meditating. Even a half hour a day is enough to help you connect with yourself and become more conscious of your breath, your surroundings and the earth.

5) Eat grounding foods.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, there are grounding foods that we can eat. These include any foods that come from the ground such as carrots, sweet potatoes and root vegetables. Some other options you might want to add to your grounding diet include berries, figs, melons, yams, mango and avocado.

6) Crystals.

Different crystals can be used to help you ground in various ways. Black Tourmaline and Smoky Quartz are two of my favorites, and the most common ones used to block negative energy. Obsidian is also excellent. I like to carry crystals around during the day in my hand or my pants or skirt pocket (or, for women, you can place them inside your bra, close to your heart chakra).

7) Exercise.

Move your body and drink lots of water. We often become disconnected and ungrounded when we spend hours and hours of our day glued to our computers and phones. Moving your body is a way to get energy flowing and ground, especially if you exercise outside. Hiking is one of the best forms of exercise for grounding, because you’re connecting with nature and one with the Earth.

It may sound a little “airy-fairy” to practice grounding techniques, but I have gotten my completely un-spiritually-minded friends to try these techniques out, and they are often surprised at how well they work.

When we’re grounded, we feel that we are living in the present moment—not stuck in the past or worrying about the future. It’s really the best way to rid the body of stress and anxiety and help bring our body and mind back in sync.

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Relephant Read:

Transition from Fall to Winter. {Grounding Meditation}

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Author: Dina Strada

Editor: Toby Israel

Photo: Flickr/Angela Marie Henriette // Jon Cornwell/Flickr

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