Grounding Object

[7Cs]

I found a rock last weekend. I decided/knew? it would be my grounding object right when I picked it up.

I had been in a dissociated state for over an hour at that point and my husband managed to get me outside on a nature walk. That always seems to work for me - fresh air sunshine and natural surroundings- but it's hard for me to get out there. We went to a lake but the water level was high and there was only about 3' of "beach". That's where I found my rock. It's smooth and fits perfectly in the palm of my hand.

Therapy has been triggering lately so more dissociation. I'm going today, hopefully this helps.


Do you use a grounding object?

 

[trying2movefwd]

I need to...sometimes I smell lavender.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I couldnt use a smooth rock but that is on the list of grounding objects.

I use a piece of super duper soft furry body pillow case I cut off. Its really by self soothing object but has grounded me.

I also use a rubber band that I wear around my wrist. I snap it when im starting to drift, mostly at work, it brings me back to reality. Literally snaps me back to right now.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

THANK YOU!!! You reminded me that I should start doing that again! Yes, I have done it before....and it really helps. I had some really bad times having dental work done, and it really helped to have a special rock in my hand. I concentrated on how it felt, pictured what it looked like, and the color, etc.

I LOVE nature walks myself, and have found quite a few "special" items along the way. I intentionally look for heart shaped rocks, and quite frequently find them.

I am going to start carrying one of my rocks, amethyst is my favorite. I'm trying to stop clenching and grinding my teeth/dentures. Thank you for the reminder of this grounding tool!

 

[Eagle3]

I generally use my dogs as a grounding object around the house. One dog has a special skill of being able to send energy into a part of his body being caressed, for instance, the top of his head, or just his muzzle. This is the first dog I've experienced this with. If my dogs aren't around, My wooden sword works too. I grab that thing and suddenly I'm back to reality. Must be all the Martial Arts training...If I don't have either of those, then I just try to notice when I'm drifting and bring myself back. Its getting easier, but still a lot of work to do in that area.

 

[7Cs]

THANK YOU!!! You reminded me that I should start doing that again! Yes, I have done it before.....

Yay!
I'm so glad this was helpful. :)

 

[GMW]

Oh... is this why whenever I'm in therapy I find myself fiddling with something?! It doesn't matter what it is but I fiddle with everything from the hem of my top, to my elephant necklace, engagement ring, bracelet, little olive wood cross. I start getting stressed, feel the panic and anxiety rising and I'll look for something to fiddle with (and if I can't find something I'll ask her for water and then run my fingers over the glass and watch the reflections on the water. Then as I'm talking my brain will be describing the object internally while my mouth is talking about something I find awful to discuss. Is that me grounding myself?

 

[EveHarrington]

Certain scents are quite grounding for me as well. I don't have a grounding object per se but my stuffies are quite calming.

 

[C.M]

When I am aware I may be dissociating I have a favourite soft toy, a unicorn to hold. I allso put talkback radio on quietly so that I become more orientated to day and year. My cats are allso great companions and Tom has been known to jump on my lap and meow, headboof if things are not so good and I am dissociated.

 

[Naoru]

As a teenager, I used to always carry around small smooth rocks and feel them throughout the day, but I didn't know it as "grounding" at the time. I realize now what I was doing.

Nowadays, I use the rubber band technique, smell a strong scent I've sprayed on my wrist, pop mints, or I use my dog to bring me back to reality. I don't carry around an object anymore, but maybe I should.

 

[Iamsensative]

I love to grab my cross, people at work laugh at me and ask me if I am fighting off satan..ROFL, if they only knew.

 

[Lola Nocheprieta]

amethyst is my favorite.

I use a natural, rough amethyst crystal that has a lot of texture. I had to file down some sharp points and edges with a metal file, to avoid inadvertently self-harming, but smooth is more for soothing, intense texture, prickly, rough, bumpy, scratchy or sharp is what I need for grounding.

During the worst of the past year I kept the crystal with me in my pocket all day, everyday. I frequently used it at work, along with Eucalyptus essential oil. I don't really care for the scent but it is intense and pungent, yet not unpleasant. That, and the trusty rubber band can usually snap me back to the present.

I still carry all of that in my backpack, everyday. I am constantly being reminded to take my own advice, and keep going back to basics.