If you have been following my Nature Therapy blog series, you must have noticed that in the past few weeks I have shared different ways to use nature as a gentle companion for our mental health. And through all these blogs if there’s one thing we have understood, it is that nature can hold us in moments of stress and worry. And now, as we reach the final blog of this Nature Therapy series, I want to close it with a practice so simple yet common, accessible and that you can use anytime and anywhere : Grounding (also called as Earthing).
But what does Grounding even mean? Grounding basically means the act of bringing yourself back in the present moment. It acts like an anchor for your mind and body. We all must have noticed that our thoughts keep wandering very often; be it in the form of replaying our past mistakes, worrying about our future or simply making us feel restless for no reason. When that happens, grounding helps us to pause, and come back to now.
Grounding doesn’t mean shutting down our feelings or avoiding reality. It actually means reconnecting with “here and now” so that your nervous system feels safe again. Grounding technique is actually nature whispering reassurance in our ears: You are here. You are safe.
When we say Grounding, the image that usually comes to our mind is walking barefoot on grass or soil. That is a beautiful form of it , which connects our body directly to the Earth. But I want to explain earthing using another example or a perspective we all know, i.e. electricity. In the electrical system, earthing means giving the current a safe way to go into the ground. If this path does not exist, the wires can get overloaded, cause sparks, or even damage things. The earth simply takes this extra energy to keep everything steady and safe.
Now let us think of our body and the mind as a similar system. When stress, anxiety or overwhelming emotions build up, it feels like “excess charge.” Grounding works in the same way. It creates a safe outlet for the emotions that are an overload. When you place your feet firmly on the ground, connect with your environment or take a deep breath in nature, it’s like the body is discharging emotional electricity into the earth. And the result? Feeling calm, less emotional and safe.
So, earthing is not limited to being outdoors in nature. It is about feeling the surface that supports you. For eg., if you are sitting on a sofa, lying on your bed or even standing on your feet in the office with your feet pressed against the floor, it means that you are grounding yourself. Essentially, you are making contact with what holds you up in that particular moment.
And Grounding is not just a poetic word used by the therapists, it actually has a physiological explanation to it. Our bodies function through tiny electrical impulses that travel through our nervous system. When we connect to the ground physically,especially with any natural surface, research suggests that it can regulate stress responses, lower cortisol levels and even balance mood-related chemicals.
Not only that, even beyond the physical science, grounding acts like a mental reset button. In moments where we might experience anxiety, overwhelm or panic ; grounding pulls away our attention from the racing thoughts. By focusing on breathing, or connecting yourself with a surface, your mind slows down. That is why many therapists recommend grounding exercises during anxiety episodes.
Emotional grounding means finding stability inside you even when your feelings might feel it too much to bear. Sometimes you might feel that your emotions are all over the place and you feel like you are losing your breath. That is when grounding helps you. Of course it does not erase sadness, anger or stress, but it helps you to get a hold of those emotions without letting the emotions consume you. By practicing the grounding technique, you can bring your focus back to your body and the environment. It helps you to remind yourself that the emotions that you are experiencing are valid, but they don’t have to consume me right away. Grounding techniques actually help us to think clearly, and respond instead of react.
Here are a few Grounding Techniques that you can use :
The best part about grounding is that it doesn’t require special tools or settings. You can practice it at home, at work, or even while traveling. Here are a few techniques you might find helpful:
This engages all your senses and gently pulls you into the present.
Place your palms on a surface : a table, the arm of your chair, or even the floor. Notice its texture, warmth, and solidity. Remind yourself: This is real. I am here.
Sit with both feet flat on the floor. As you inhale, gently press them down. As you exhale, imagine letting stress flow into the ground beneath you, just like releasing electrical charge into the earth.
Hold a familiar object: a pen, cushion, or cup of tea. Pay attention to its weight, shape, and temperature. Let it bring you back to the present.
And with this, I wrap up my Nature Therapy series. We have been on a journey through rain, sun, and greenery, and now I close with grounding. By writing this blog I just wanted to remind you that peace can also be found inside yourself. Sometimes, it’s as simple as noticing the surface beneath your feet or the chair that carries your weight.
Just like in electricity, where earthing protects the system from overload, grounding in daily life protects you from emotional overload. It gives you a safe outlet, a moment to pause, and the strength to reset.
Grounding is not just a technique; it’s an invitation to pause, connect, and trust that in this very moment, you are safe and supported.
So, the next time your mind feels restless or your emotions run heavy, take a breath. Place your feet firmly on the ground. Feel what’s holding you. And remember: You are here. You are held. You are enough.
