Running to Ground

Why I run grounding exercises throughout my day

I wanted to share a practice that’s made a real difference for me - and I suspect I’m not the only one who might need it.

Like so many of you, I get overwhelmed, frustrated, and straight-up unhinged by the sheer volume of mental tabs I have open on any given day. What should I eat next? Did I get my refund for that return? Where is that delayed shipment, Evri? What’s my schedule this week? Did I take my vitamins today, or am I remembering yesterday?

I felt like a dandelion head in a stiff breeze - thoughts flying everywhere. I couldn’t follow a train of thought, and even holding a conversation without getting overly excited (positively or negatively) became a challenge. Meditation? Forget it. My mind would just spin.

So, I started something small: intentional grounding. My Alexa now reminds me to ground three times a day. Whenever it goes off, no matter what I’m doing, I stop and ground. At first, it took me a few minutes. These days, I can drop in within seconds, because I’m still holding some of the grounding from the last round. But I leave the reminders on, because honestly? If I didn’t, I’d forget. I fall out of habits like a cartoon character falls off cliffs.

​How to Ground Yourself

Step 1: Breathe.

Close your eyes. Take several slow, deep breaths. Focus on the sensation of the air moving in and out of your nose. Just this. Keep going until you feel a subtle shift toward calm.

Step 2: Choose your visualisation.

Here are two that work for me:

Visualisation #1: Taproot to Earth

This is my go-to when I’m outside or on the ground floor of a building. I imagine thick taproots growing out from the soles of my feet, plunging deep into the Earth. They tunnel down until they wrap around the molten core. I feel that pull - not so much that I can't move, but enough to know I'm secure. Anchored. Not flying off into space (Newton fans, yes, I know - but shush).

Then I visualise energy pulsing up these roots and into my body. Lava-like, red-orange. It rises from feet to crown, filling me with warmth and steadiness.

Visualisation #2: Stone Body

When I’m not near the ground (upstairs, in transit), the root one doesn’t land for me. Instead, I feel my butt getting heavy, like stone. I don’t slump, but I feel my whole body settle downward. My torso, shoulders, and head all sink. I become weighty, solid. My thoughts slow down, like lava cooling into basalt.

​​Advanced Layer: Earth and Source

When I want a deeper connection, I add this:

I imagine the energy of the planet enveloping me like a soft, dark blanket. It might appear as night falling across me, or as a network of glowing ley lines and stars beneath my feet. Sometimes, I see crystals rising to form an octahedron around me, slowly rotating. (Your brain may generate its own imagery - go with it.)

Then I feel the Earth’s energy rising up, while a shaft of golden-white light pours down from above, touching the top of my head. This is Source energy. I imagine it sinking in, melting through me like warm butter, trickling down until my whole body thrums with its presence. Stay here as long as it feels good. Or until the image fades on its own.

Then, take a few more slow breaths, feel the air again - and open your eyes.

When to Ground

Obviously: when you’re overwhelmed, agitated, triggered, reactive.

But also: do it before that.

By practicing throughout the day, you create a baseline of calm and clarity - so when life does throw something your way, you’re already steady enough to meet it. 

Give it a try. Even once a day is a start. If you’re anything like me, you’ll start to feel the difference fast. And if you’re a dandelion in a tornado? This is how you start to gather yourself back together.

Until next time, fly safely.

The Alchemist