Getting Grounded: Finding Safety, Presence, and Awareness
Life pulls us in so many directions—emails, responsibilities, family, work, and the constant buzz of “what’s next.”
Grounding isn’t about ignoring stress or pretending everything’s fine—it’s about returning to a place of safety and presence in our bodies. When we feel rooted, we can show up with more awareness, connection, and authenticity, both with ourselves and with others.
The Science of Grounding
In therapy, we often talk about the polyvagal ladder, which describes how our nervous system responds to stress:
Safety → calm, connected, and open to growth
Fight/Flight → activated, anxious, or restless
Freeze → shut down, disconnected, or numb
Grounding practices help us climb back toward safety, where connection and healing happen. As I often tell clients:
“Grounding helps us find the safety state where growth and connection are possible.”
A Simple Practice: Feet in the Earth
Stand with your feet firmly on the ground.
Notice the weight of your body connecting with the earth.
Take a slow breath in, and release it gently.
If you’re near a pet, pay attention to their breathing, posture, and presence.
This practice can take less than a minute, yet it can reset your body and mind in powerful ways.
Reflection Prompts
Take a moment to explore:
Where in your life do you feel most rooted?
What shifts when you take time to notice your body?
Jot down your answers in a journal.
What Horses Teach Us About Grounding
Horses are herd animals, finely tuned to the energy around them. When they feel safe, you’ll notice calm signals—ears relaxed, steady breathing, or grazing quietly. If the herd senses danger, their entire state shifts.
This sensitivity makes them powerful partners in helping us notice and shift our own states. When we stand beside a grounded horse, our nervous system often begins to mirror theirs, this is called co-regulation.
Experience This in Our Workshop
Grounding is just the beginning. In our Equine Assisted Learning Workshop Series, we’ll move through themes of presence, co-regulation, connection, trust, and harmony—all with the guidance of the horses.
If you’ve been craving a deeper sense of calm, clarity, and connection, this workshop is for you.
👉 Click here to learn more and save your spot.
Come as you are. Leave grounded, present, and connected.