Lola Nocheprieta
Diamond Member
Like a lot of people said, I find it (various ground skills) gets better with practice. You want to try out these various skills when things are just "regular" -- whatever that means for you -- like, NOT a crisis. See what it feels like, what works best for you. Try it out under different conditions and settings. You strengthen it like a muscle. In fact, the 5 senses, which is really just one form of mindfulness, being aware of the present moment, can be a type of muscle memory. As you become more used it it, it is easier/faster to reach that "relaxation response" because your mind and body, all your senses, have already associated the technique with relaxation.
For me, sometimes I use the 5 senses to just tune in to what is happening in the present moment. That can help distract me from ruminating. Again, practicing mindfulness. But, in my Oh, Shit! Box, also known as a Coping Kit or Self-Care Kit, I have, for example, lavender oil and mints that I like. Thus, when I smell that lavender (as opposed to whatever random scent happens to be in the present vicinity), I almost immediately relax a little bit. Calms me down, because I already have a strong association that lavender = safety = calm/pleasant. Does that make sense?
On the other hand, as @Silver noted, sometimes you just get sick of a certain strategy. I have ADHD as well as PTSD (and a whole bowl full of alphabet soup) and it's not uncommon for a strategy that was once so novel and engaging to become "stale." I freaked out at first and was really bummed, BUT I personally found that I simply have to put that strategy away for a little while, switch to something else, and then "recycle" the technique at a later date. It's like falling in love all over again. It's novel! It's unique! It's amazing! It works! I just have to remember to pick up the strategy again. I'm constantly going back to basics and recycling strategies for grounding, for organization, for relaxation, etc., etc.
@loui50, I'm glad you've had such a great response to the 5 senses! And think, that's only the first of many techniques to put in your trick bag. Have fun with it!
For me, sometimes I use the 5 senses to just tune in to what is happening in the present moment. That can help distract me from ruminating. Again, practicing mindfulness. But, in my Oh, Shit! Box, also known as a Coping Kit or Self-Care Kit, I have, for example, lavender oil and mints that I like. Thus, when I smell that lavender (as opposed to whatever random scent happens to be in the present vicinity), I almost immediately relax a little bit. Calms me down, because I already have a strong association that lavender = safety = calm/pleasant. Does that make sense?
On the other hand, as @Silver noted, sometimes you just get sick of a certain strategy. I have ADHD as well as PTSD (and a whole bowl full of alphabet soup) and it's not uncommon for a strategy that was once so novel and engaging to become "stale." I freaked out at first and was really bummed, BUT I personally found that I simply have to put that strategy away for a little while, switch to something else, and then "recycle" the technique at a later date. It's like falling in love all over again. It's novel! It's unique! It's amazing! It works! I just have to remember to pick up the strategy again. I'm constantly going back to basics and recycling strategies for grounding, for organization, for relaxation, etc., etc.
@loui50, I'm glad you've had such a great response to the 5 senses! And think, that's only the first of many techniques to put in your trick bag. Have fun with it!
