[gravyyy]

I remembered something that actually works as a grounding tool for me. Unfortunately it's not going to be terribly helpful to other people necessarily but I realize working with patients is grounding for me. I am doing home care nursing now and driving to houses I will often get spacey and comepletely unfocused (sometimes rolling the window down and letting the cold air blast my face helps that) but as soon as I walk in the front door of the patient's house I am instantly grounded and able to focus for the most part. This isn't exactly what I tried to bring up in chat on Wednesday but my T brought it to my attention that seeing patients for me is grounding... it brings me from space back to reality. I realized that but needed her to point it out for me to really get it. So happy I remembered long enough to post it!! Again, not necessarily helpful for others but it's definitely one of my more healthy ways to ground.

I expect many will relate to what you are saying. When I fasten my seat belt, I ground since driving in the now saves lives (I do not understand how those who text, talk on the phone, check their appearance, etc, can justify the potential for harming themselves and others.).

Thanks for sharing.

[perpetuallysad]

Its nice to know that you are able to really be there for your patients, so while you are helping them, you are also helping yourself. Double Plus Good. (OK, vague reference to 1984, sorry.) Still though, I am glad you were able to identify a positive grounding technique, I am working on being more aware so I can actually notice when I do something that works. So, good for you Gravyyy.

[Crew]

Hey gravyyy,

I do the same thing. When I go to work and work with the children it seems the second I get into my room, I am grounded but if I had not practiced grounding I wouldn't be able to do my job!

Thanks for bringing that up, wondering how we could bring that up in "gronding skills."

ThaCrew

[(JD)]

Gravyyy I think it is relevant to others. It's good to have a focus, and for you that is your important job. I think others find that immersing themselves into something they enjoy (even a work task) can help them. Opening the window and feeling cool air has long since been used by drivers to ground themselves on long trips, when dissociation is easy (it's called highway hypnosis then.)

[BrokenNBeautiful]

working with others keeps me off myself so much.

Focusing on my surroundings helps too.

saying to myself what i am doing or where i am or even what day it is RIGHT NOW...

"I am typing on the computer. The tv is on. the fan is on. my thoughts are racing. My roommate is out..." And so on. "today is Sunday..."

Billi

[Secret]

Glad you all have somewhere to focus.
I use to be able to ground when doing relaxation exercises. I've used them for years and like I said the always use to work. Since my latest set-back I just can't find my ground anywhere ... in reality or out of it.