Did you know this about “grounding” exercises?

I found some research and articles that talked about how all grounding exercises are not good for all clients.

For some people, they have spent most of their lives “out” of their bodies, experiencing themselves as “unembodied.”

So grounding exercises that ask clients to do things like body scans or monitor their breathing may find themselves activated.

For people struggling with being in their body, I often suggest other types of grounding exercises that have clients focus on outward objects. 

Like 5,4,3,2,1 – notice 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can smell.

The body is involved, but not going interior.

An even more “exterior” type of grounding would be to think of your name and the names of 2 other people. Say the first name in your head or outloud, spell it forward, spell it backwards, repeat with the next two names.

Or notice all the circular objects in a room. Describe them to yourself using detailed language.

The main point of this post is to be gentle with yourself. Understand that not all exercises and tools fit all people. 

I invite you to gently work to become “embodied” – to become comfortable feeling “in” your body.