Grounding techniques for anxiety and emotional regulation

Anxiety can change the way you experience your surroundings.

Your heart may beat faster. Your breathing can become shallow. Your muscles tighten. Your thoughts start moving quickly, jumping from one possibility to another. You may find yourself replaying a conversation, anticipating something going wrong or feeling disconnected from what is happening around you.

Grounding gives you a way to reconnect with the present moment. A grounding technique might involve noticing the sensation of your feet against the floor, naming objects in the room, holding something with a distinctive texture, listening carefully to sounds around you or paying attention to your breathing.