Remember being grounded? Not being allowed to see friends, talk on the phone or attend the school dance? Being grounded as a teenager was no fun at all!
Being grounded as an adult means something entirely different. When you hear the words, “He’s got his feet on the ground,” or “She seems very grounded through this tough time in her life,” it makes you think twice about the word.
In our context, being grounded means connecting with our bodies, literally (to the ground) and spatially: bringing our thoughts, feelings and bodies together.
We spend so much time “in our heads” that we can lose sight of precious moments in our lives. Taking some time to get “grounded” can bring us back to the present moment—to our bodies, to the mind-body connection and to our precious breath.
When we get grounded, we notice the gifts that our bodies give us, such as breath, movement, our five senses and more. By noticing and nurturing our bodies, we can improve our health and wellness.
Take a moment to appreciate how your body is functioning. Blood is flowing through your veins. Oxygen is being delivered to your cells. Your digestive system is processing and delivering nourishment. Your skin is protecting you from the elements. What other ways is your body working to support you?
Ground yourself for six minutes
This six-minute Grounding Meditation with Christiane Wolf, MD, Ph.D. offers a practice that you can do every day to bring your awareness to body and breath.
VA can support your Whole Health. Reach out today to your local VA: Whole Health Facility Contacts – Whole Health (va.gov).
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I am grounded in the faith that my needs have been met and delivered through the services provided by VA health programs and providing me with the best medical care in these United States..
While I agree that meditation and appreciating ourselves is an important definition of being grounded, there is another definition of being grounded that is JUST AS IMPORTANT: that of grounding yourself. Taking off your shoes and walking barefoot outside-on the grass, on the sidewalk, on the sand, especially sand near water. The effects are immediate; your blood cells cannot clump, the positive ions become electrons and leave (inflammation) disappear. And so much more.