What It Means to Be “Grounded” (and How to Get There)

“Stay grounded.” “Come back to yourself.” We hear these phrases all the time in wellness spaces, but what does being grounded actually mean?

Sometimes, grounding is exactly what you think it is: taking your shoes off, putting your feet in the grass, sitting in the dirt, walking outside, touching a tree, breathing fresh air, and letting yourself be a little woo-woo and one with nature. There is something beautiful about physically reminding yourself that you are a body living on this earth.

But grounding isn't always physical…

Sometimes grounding is simply checking back in with yourself and asking,

“What do I actually need right now?” Do I need rest? Movement? Food? A boundary? A conversation? Do I need to apologize? Do I need to stop avoiding something? Do I need to reconnect with the people I love?

Life is loud. There is always something happening in the world, at work, in school, in our relationships, in our communities; and we're still expected to pay bills, take care of ourselves, show up for other people, and keep moving. It's incredibly easy to get overwhelmed or lost in your own head. “Grounding” simple gives you a way to return.

Grounding Looks Different for Everyone

Grounding doesn't have to be yoga, meditation, Pilates, breathwork, or journaling. Those are tools, not requirements.

It might be cooking; one of my favorite hobbies !! Making art. Playing video games; super fun and relaxing! Taking a walk. Cleaning your space. Calling a friend. Going to the gym. Sitting quietly with your partner. Drinking tea on the balcony.

The question isn't, “Does this look like wellness?”

It's “Does this bring me back to myself?”

For me, grounding usually comes through three things: creativity, physical release, and mental release.

Creativity might mean journaling, making art, writing, or even playing Pokémon. Physical release looks like yoga, working out, walking, stretching, or simply moving my body. Mental release often means journaling, having difficult conversations instead of avoiding them, checking in on people, telling someone I love them, congratulating somebody, apologizing when I'm wrong, or simply being honest about how I'm feeling.

None of these things are particularly complicated and that's the whole point.

Come Back to Yourself

Grounding isn't about performing wellness perfectly. It's about having ways to return to yourself when life gets noisy.

Maybe that means touching grass. Maybe it means making tea. Maybe it's setting a boundary, calling your best friend, relaxing for an hour, or finally having the conversation you've been avoiding.

There is no single right way to ground yourself.

Find what helps you come back to your body, your values, your people, your creativity, and yourself.

Tend to the delicacies of your garden. 🌱