Get Grounded: Discover the Power of Your Body to Anchor You in the Present
The mind often drifts between memories and future worries. We replay old conversations, anticipate events yet to come, and sometimes get lost in daydreams that pull us away from the present. But through all this mental wandering, there is one part of us that is always anchored in the now—our body. The body, by its very nature, exists in the present moment, and understanding this truth can unlock profound insights into how we can live more fully.
The Mind Travels, the Body Stays
While our mind is a time traveler, the body remains rooted in the present. Think about it: every breath, heartbeat, and sensation you experience is happening right now. The body doesn't rehash old hurts or anxiously anticipate tomorrow—it simply functions in the current moment, responding to immediate stimuli.
This is an incredible gift. No matter how far our thoughts stray into the past or future, we can always come back to the body to ground ourselves in the present. The sensations of our body—our breath, the way the air feels on our skin, or the gentle pulse of our heartbeat—are gateways back to the now.
What It Feels Like When You’re Not in Your Body
Despite the body’s constant presence, many of us spend a surprising amount of time disconnected from it. This dissociation can happen when we’re caught up in thoughts, stress, depression, illness, or trauma. When we’re not in our body, it can feel like:
· Disconnection or Numbness: You may feel physically disconnected or "checked out," as if you’re floating through your day without fully inhabiting your body. Things feel distant, muted, or numb.
· Anxiety or Restlessness: When we’re not grounded in the body, the mind can take over, spinning stories and anxieties. You might feel jittery, on edge, or like you’re not entirely in control of your emotions.
· Fatigue or Exhaustion: Without being rooted in the present moment, you can feel mentally or emotionally drained, even if you haven’t physically exerted yourself. This often happens when the mind is overwhelmed by past or future concerns.
· Feeling "Out of Sync": You may find yourself bumping into things, forgetting details, or feeling like time is slipping by in a blur. Being disconnected from the body creates a sense of disorientation, like you’re not fully grounded in your experience.
· Overwhelm or Brain Fog: A scattered mind often results from not being in the body. You might feel foggy, overwhelmed, or unable to focus on tasks at hand because your energy is fragmented.
These sensations are the body's way of letting us know that we’re not grounded. They’re signals that we’ve disconnected from our present experience, and the solution is to return to the body’s wisdom.
The Present as the Body’s Truth
The body doesn't lie. When you feel stress or anxiety, your body reacts with tension, a quickened pulse, or shallow breathing. When you're relaxed, your muscles soften, and your breathing slows. These are immediate responses to the present, reflecting how your internal and external environments are affecting you in real-time.
By tuning into your body's signals, you can access profound truths about your emotional and mental states. The body doesn't carry stories of the past or projections of the future; it responds to what’s happening right now. This is why many spiritual practices, like meditation and mindfulness, focus so much on bodily awareness—because the body is the perfect compass for bringing us back to the present.
Embodiment and Healing
Being present in the body is also crucial for healing. Emotional pain, trauma, and stress often cause us to dissociate from our bodies, as we retreat into the mind to protect ourselves from discomfort. However, healing happens when we reconnect with the body and allow ourselves to feel what's going on inside, without judgment or resistance.
The body is constantly processing experiences, storing emotions, and communicating with us through sensations. By becoming more aware of this process, we allow healing to take place in real-time. Practices like yoga, breathwork, or even mindful movement are all ways to bring attention back to the body, helping to process and release stored energy that may be causing tension or dis-ease.
Grounding: The Big Daddy of Staying in Your Body
Grounding is the big daddy of keeping us in our bodies. It might not be the sexiest topic in metaphysical work, but it’s crucial for anyone who wants to explore deeper spiritual practices. It is also, as humans, the link to our power. Grounding keeps us centered, clear, and connected to the present, allowing our energy to stay rooted in the here and now.
But here’s the thing—not everyone grounds in the same way. I once had a client who didn’t resonate with the traditional idea of grounding through the Earth. She found it uncomfortable, almost claustrophobic, to imagine herself going deep into the ground. So, I taught her how to ground through a different element: Air. And guess what? It worked beautifully for her.
Grounding Through Your Element – A Pendulum Exercise
There are many ways to ground ourselves, and I’ve found a method that works well for each individual. Since we all have different energetic makeups, Earth may not be the ideal element for everyone. Some may feel more aligned with Water, Air, or even Fire. The key is to discover what feels most natural and effective for you. Here is a way for you to find out what element works best for you to ground.
First draw a simple pie chart with the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
Then Command - for my highest good indicate which element is the best for me to ground through.
When you get your answer, Command, for my highest good I ground myself through the element of _______.
Let your pendulum swing freely, you will feel your body grounding as your pendulum swings.
Grounding is essential for staying connected to your body and the present moment, but how you do it is entirely up to you. Find what feels right and let it bring you back to yourself. When you're grounded, you're empowered, stable, and ready to engage with the world in a balanced, embodied way.
What It Feels Like to Be Grounded
There’s a distinct feeling that comes with being grounded. For me, I feel shorter, almost like my body has been glued to the Earth. There’s a heaviness in my limbs, but not in a tired way—it’s a reassuring, stable kind of heaviness that tells me I’m fully in my body, present, and anchored.
When you’re grounded, everything feels more tangible. You’re more aware of your physical body, the space around you, and the sensations you experience. This contrasts sharply with the feeling of being ungrounded, where you might feel floaty, disconnected, or scattered like your energy is all over the place. I always say, if you can see the back of your eyelids and focus on them, you are in your body.
The Body as a Teacher
If we listen closely, the body becomes one of our greatest teachers. It constantly reminds us to slow down, to pay attention, and to care for ourselves. When we're overly stressed, the body signals us with fatigue, tension, or illness. When we're aligned and present, the body feels vibrant and alive. These signals are not just physical—they are messages that guide us toward greater balance and well-being.
When we embrace the fact that the body is always in the present, we open ourselves to living more fully in the here and now. Instead of letting our minds run ahead or dwell on what’s behind us, we can return to the wisdom of the body, which invites us to experience life in its truest form: moment by moment.
The Gift of Being Present in the Body
There is a profound sense of peace that comes from realizing that the body is always grounded in the present. While the mind may worry, fret, or drift away, the body remains here, ready to be your anchor. When you cultivate a deeper connection with your body, you begin to notice that being present is not about effort or discipline—it’s about returning to a natural state of being.
Your body is your portal to the now, a constant reminder that the present moment is all that truly exists. By grounding yourself in the body, you can release the grip of the past and the anxiety of the future, finding peace, healing, and presence in the beautiful unfolding of life as it is, right here, right now.
Embrace your body as a guide. If you ever feel anxious, insecure, lost, or scattered, close your eyes and hug yourself—your body, always in the present, will bring you back. Find the backs of your eyelids, allowing yourself to be guided back to the now and ground yourself. The present is where your power is—not in the past or the future. After all, the present is where life happens, and your body is always ready to meet you there.
If you're feeling called to deepen your grounding practice or explore how energy work can support you, I'm here to help. Whether through a gentle one-on-one session or finding a pendulum that resonates with your energy, we can work together to bring more presence and balance into your life. Each pendulum I offer is thoughtfully chosen to help guide you on your journey. If you'd like to learn more, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to chat and see what feels right for you.
