Objects You Use To Help With Grounding.

[Wyakin]

When I was at my assessment the doctor had me hold a stress ball and a bottle of lemon scent. I kept having flashbacks and he talked me through using the stress ball or the scent. We came to the decision that I was better with the ball than the scent from a grounding point of view.

I think I should find something to carry with me day to day to help me ground. At the moment I tend to fiddle with my watch but it doesn't help much as I was wearing my watch when I was attacked so it is linked to the memories.

I am wondering if wearing something on my other wrist would be good, I tend to get pressure in that wrist before a flashback anyway (like someone is holding it) so I wonder if it may help with that to.

What do you use, if you use anything specific, to help keep yourself here?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think objects can be helpful grounding tools, but I also think it's important to know a lot of grounding exercises you can do in your head so that if you don't have your object, you can still ground yourself.

 

[Hashi]

Thinking about it, I cover all the senses except taste (not sure why not that one). I'm really helped by peppermint oil, wearing and touching a bracelet that a friend gave me, a particular song on my iPod, and looking at art (either an art book or images on the internet). The last one probably sounds the least flexible but I used it a lot at work, and also after therapy I often used to sit in the waiting room looking through an art book for a while before going home. (Art is very powerful for me.)

As part of my Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills work, I stuck pictures and wrote quotes in a little notebook and carried that round with me. It included my therapist's website photo! I found it helpful to look at and feel connected to her.

 

[Ryn]

I have a worry stone that I hold. I often forget to use it, but when I do, it does help. A friend gave it to me so it helps remind me of her caring presence.

 

[Wyakin]

@Solara I agree with not being reliant on something. At the moment I name shapes, colours and textures but I do like the feel of things in my hands. I find touching things really helps.

@Hashi Thank you for that, it sounds like you have lots of options to aid you.

@Ryn I like the thought of using something linked to someone who cares. I can see how it could make the difference.

 

[Lionheart]

I have an Apache tear (small piece of polished obsidian) that I carry with me and it not only helps me to ground myself, but it serves as a reminder that all is not lost and this is because it is jet black, but can be seen through when held up to the light or to the sun. I like that it is not all dark like it appears to be and I consider it to be a good luck piece as well.

 

[bluebird]

I do not have a special object - I play games on my mobile phone - numbers or colours - it keeps me focused on something. When I am outside, I often pick a flower and its smell helps me stay grounded. Or sit down and touch the ground, stones... Sometimes I hold somebody´s hand or listen to people´s voices...

 

[arfie]

I frequently use fragrant plants. Just pull a leaf or three off a plant as I go and roll them in my fingers and under my nose. When I have to go someplace stinky like a medical office or a walk through traffic, I will fold herbs into a bandana and use it to filter what I breath in. I call it, "a filter rag."

I have also used spiral notebooks (aka journals), pens, rosaries, rocks or whatever. Went through a long spree of stealing cheap doo dads from office desks. :notworthy: really, anything works for me. The goal is to engage the tactile senses. Drumming my fingers will work if there is nobody around to get irritated with it.

 

[Seasounds]

1. Small rocks or gem stones (carry in pocket)
2. Meditation beads (necklace)
3. Pictures of trees and mountains (in my home)

 

[KP the nut]

1. A small 'moss agate' stone turtle.
2. Essential lemon oil.

 

[Wyakin]

Thank you guys, the variety impresses me. I think I will keep my eye out for something with meaning, I believe that will help me more than anything.

 

[silkleaves]

I really like the idea of this and the tips here, and am going to do some research on this. At the moment, my only method of grounding is guided meditation... but its not always (hardly ever) possible find a place to hide, pop in my headphones and get YouTube up on my phone. I've done it...but its just not practical.