The Final Four

​Staying grounded in the final stretch.

Summer is rolling on out. Even the sun is starting to leave us a little early in the evening. ‘Twas a fun and eventful one…but not without chaos and nerve-racking twists and turns that may have thrown us off course. In times like these, you need some technique(s) to stay grounded with the changing seasons.

If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. ― Lao Tzu

Try these grounding techniques to relieve fear and anxiety as we finish this year strong!

Breathe.
Take a few minutes to breathe. Deeply inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth. Pausing for a moment to breathe helps slow down the mind and body.

Positive Affirmations.
Positivity is key. Although cliché, your mindset sets the tone for how you will handle your days. Filling it with affirmations reminds us of who we are and our capabilities. Flushing out negative thoughts brings clarity to many situations, giving us time and energy to resolve and/or cope with whatever is right in front of us.

Rest.
Turn off the TV, silence your phone, close those laptops, and REST. (enough said)

​Happiness consists of getting enough sleep. Just that, nothing more.
​— Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Laugh.
Laughter cures more than we know. A small chuckle or a big guffaw can relax the muscles, relieving the tension and stress that is festering in your body. Go look at that funny video that brings a big smile to your face or a meme on social media that puts a humorous spin on the current event. If your situation isn’t a laughing matter, replace it with a few seconds of an entertaining distraction.

There’s nothing we can do about what’s out of our control. Worrying won’t solve it. Reliving won’t solve it. Staying still and focusing on what’s around us allows time to enjoy the present without the clutter of What to do…What should I have done?

How Do You Stay Grounded?
Share your techniques in the comments!

The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.