I heard this the other day and wanted to share it with you.
I've been calling it the Color Search Grounding Exercise
It's one of those tools that feels so simple, but it really works.
Take a quick minute and try it now.
Here's how it works:
Scan the room you're in and find all of the green items.
Look for every single thing that has green in it.
Once you think you've found them all, scan the room again and look even closer.
Did you find a few more the second time? I always do.
How do you feel now? More present?
Like you're really aware of where you are and what's in the room?
For me, it helps calm me down when I'm overwhelmed because, for one minute, I'm focused on one thing - the green items - and not on what's stressing me out.
And that changes my mood.
Why this works:
When your brain is overwhelmed, it's usually stuck in the past (what just happened) or the future (what might happen). Grounding tools like this bring you back to right now.
Since you're focusing on one task, your mind is preoccupied in the present, which shifts your focus away from any stressful thoughts.
Looking for a specific color or shape connects you with your immediate surroundings, helping you be more mindful.
If you're stressed, focusing on one color gives you a mental break and something neutral to focus on.
Next time you do this:
- Look for a different color (blue, yellow, etc)
- Try a specific shape (circles, squares)
- Even focus on something like textures (soft, smooth, etc)
The idea is the same: shift your focus on purpose.
If you're wearing your fidget ring while doing this, that adds an extra layer of grounding - you're not just visually scanning, you're also physically connecting to something calming.
That combination can be really powerful.
Feeling overwhelmed doesn't always mean you need a major change.
Sometimes it just means you need a small shift - like this one.
Try this the next time your thoughts are facing or your chest feels tight.
If you want to learn more simple, science-backed tools like this to feel calm and in control, check out our new course The Soft Shift.