Life can sometimes feel overwhelming.
We can get stuck in a whirlwind of thoughts, worries, and distractions. When this happens, we can forget where we are.
This grounding exercise is really helpful to bring you back to the present moment when you're feeling overwhelmed.
The Open Awareness Grounding Exercise
You're going to speak out loud as if you're talking to someone who isn't there.
1. Say where you are: describe what you see, smell, feel, and hear.
2. Look to your right: describe what you see in as much detail as possible.
3. Now, look to your left: what do you see? Again, describe it in as much detail as possible.
If you're in public and don't feel comfortable speaking out loud, just say it in your head.
Why it works
This grounding exercise uses your senses, which brings you out of your head, and into the moment.
By focusing on the present, it helps you calm your mind and reduce stress.
How I feel after doing this
Personally, this exercise always calms me down. When I'm overwhelmed, it's easy to get lost in my thoughts. But when I pause and engage my senses, I feel more grounded.