The Power of Grounding: How It Can Help You Navigate Anxious Feelings as a Professional Single Mom

As a professional single mom, you have a lot on your plate. From juggling work deadlines to managing your family, it can be hard to find a moment of peace and calm amidst the chaos. If you’ve experienced emotional abuse in your past, it can add another layer of difficulty, as anxious feelings and triggering events can easily surface. That’s where grounding comes in. I want to share with you how grounding can be a very powerful tool to help you navigate those anxious feelings as a professional single mom who has experienced emotional abuse.

So, what exactly is grounding?

Grounding is a technique that involves connecting with the present moment and your mind, rather than getting lost in negative racing thoughts and worries. It can be done anywhere, anytime, without any special tools or equipment. You just need to have the awareness of the feelings in your body. If you need help with this let me know. There are many ways to ground yourself, one of my favorites is very simple and it is to take notice of your surroundings.

Grounding can be particularly helpful for those who have experienced emotional abuse, as anxious feelings and triggering events can often take us out of the present moment and lead us into negative thought patterns from traumatic past experiences. By grounding yourself, you can learn to regulate your emotions and bring yourself back to the present moment.

Here’s a scenario to Get the Big Picture

Let’s take a scenario as an example. Say you’re in a meeting with your boss and they share with you some constructive feedback on your work. All of a sudden, you feel your heart racing, your palms sweating, along with tension in your neck and you start to feel like you’re back in an argument with your emotionally abusive ex. This is a triggering event, and it can be frustrating. Instead of getting lost in those thoughts and feelings, try focusing on your surroundings. Take notice of what is on your boss’s desk like the pens, paper, pictures, tape dispenser, etc. Continue getting really curious about what is on his/her desk until you feel you are back in the present moment. You’ll start to feel your body relax. Then, get really curious about your surroundings like the things you can hear, smell, and touch. By bringing yourself back to the present moment, you can better handle the situation without being overwhelmed by past emotions and experiences.

Grounding with Smells😃

Another way to ground yourself is by engaging your sense of smell. I love this because our sense of smell is so powerful! One of my favorites is smelling essential oils like Peace & Calming. Just put it in your purse😊 Not convinced yet? Lol! Think back to a time when you were super excited. What did you smell? For me it’s the ocean! Another example is thinking back to a time where a smell made you irritated. I am thinking of a skunk! This is how the smells can be so powerful in the healing process. So, engage your senses and bring yourself back to the present moment. It’s important to focus on what’s happening now rather than getting lost in the past or future things that worry you.

One Last Thing…

As a professional single mom who has experienced emotional abuse and have anxious feelings, grounding can be a powerful tool to add to your self-care routine. By learning to connect with the present moment and your mind, you can better manage triggering events that make you feel stressed out so you can regulate your emotions. Grounding techniques can be easily incorporated into your daily life, whether you’re at work, home, or on the go. Remember, there are many grounding techniques. Check out my list to see the one you like the best. Experiment with the different techniques and find what works best for you. With practice, you can learn to ground yourself in any situation and find inner peace amidst the chaos.