Grounding 101: How Standing in the Grass (Reluctantly) Changed Everything
I used to think grounding was a total load of crap.
Like… really? You’re telling me that standing barefoot in the grass is going to fix my anxiety? Help me feel more peaceful? Regulate my nervous system?
Yeah, okay.
I was skeptical. To the point of eye rolls.
At the time, I was so overwhelmed and disconnected from my body that the idea of being still made me feel more anxious—not less. I assumed grounding meant I had to have a clear mind, feel totally zen, hum some mystical sound I couldn't pronounce, or sit in a yoga pose I was not physically (or emotionally) prepared to attempt. In my mind, grounding was for people who had their sh*t together—not for women like me who were still trying to remember if they brushed their teeth.
Turns out, I was wrong.
Really wrong.
What Grounding Actually Is (and Isn’t)
Let’s clear some things up:
Grounding isn’t about perfection, performance, or being super spiritual. It’s not reserved for crystal-loving gurus or wellness influencers doing handstands in Bali.
Grounding is simply about reconnecting your body and mind to the present moment—and, when possible, the Earth beneath you.
That’s it.
And yeah, sure—some people chant or use mantras or lie on moss-covered rocks in the forest (good for them!). But that’s not the only way. Grounding can be messy, simple, awkward, brief, or even a little uncomfortable when you start. And it's still valid.
How I Started Grounding (Spoiler: I Was Nervous and A Little Paranoid)
My first “real” attempt at grounding was… let’s say, less than Instagram-worthy.
I put in my earbuds, found a 5-minute guided meditation (because there was no way I was making it past five minutes), walked barefoot into my backyard, and stood in the grass.
I breathed.
I opened my eyes.
I looked around.
I panicked.
I was so uncomfortable being that still that I immediately assumed someone was watching me. Worse—I imagined a full-blown Law & Order episode unfolding where I get kidnapped in broad daylight by a stranger. I told you… extreme. 🙃
But here's the thing: I stayed.
And I kept showing up again, and again.
And eventually, something shifted.
I wasn’t “cured.” I didn’t ascend into the heavens. But I felt… more here. More calm. More in control. Less reactive. And that’s where it all began.
So... What Is Grounding?
Grounding, also known as “earthing,” is the practice of bringing your awareness back into your physical body and the present moment.
At its core, it’s about connecting—either physically to the Earth or energetically to your center.
There are two main types of grounding:
Physical grounding: Walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, dirt, sand, or stone.
Energetic/mental grounding: Using breathwork, visualization, sound, touch, or mindfulness to come back to the body.
There’s even science behind it. When you physically connect with the Earth, your body may absorb negatively charged electrons that help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.
Healthline breaks this down really well here.
There’s also compelling research on grounding’s benefits for sleep, pain, cortisol levels, and stress.
You can check out one study here.
Who Is Grounding For?
Short answer? Everyone.
Long answer?
If you:
Feel anxious, scattered, or overstimulated
Spend a lot of time in front of screens
Struggle to sleep
Overthink or shut down emotionally
Feel disconnected from your body
Then grounding is especially for you.
Common Questions I Hear (And Used to Ask Myself):
Is grounding a form of witchcraft? (this one makes me chuckle...often)
Nope. It’s not a ritual, religion, or spell. It’s a practice.
If walking barefoot or breathing with intention feels spiritual to you—great. If it feels like self-care—also great.
Does grounding go against God?
Not in my experience. I’ve worked with people from many different faiths who see grounding as a way to deepen their connection to God. After all, God created the Earth. Why wouldn’t we want to connect with it?
Is anything bad going to happen to my mind/body/spirit when I ground?
Nothing bad has ever happened to me by grounding. But it can stir up awareness of what’s been sitting under the surface—old stress, tension, or emotions. That’s okay. Let it pass through.
How often should I ground?
Start small and often. Even one intentional minute a day helps. Consistency matters more than intensity.
What if I can’t get outside?
No problem. You can ground inside by:
Sitting and focusing on your breath
Holding grounding crystals (like hematite or smoky quartz)
Taking a salt bath
Running your hands under cold water
Pressing your feet firmly into the floor and saying: “I am here. I am safe.”
Does it work on the second floor of a building?
Absolutely. While Earth connection is amazing, energetic grounding works wherever you are. Your body is always available to connect with.
How I Ground Now (It’s Nothing Like It Used to Be)
These days, grounding looks nothing like it did when I first started—and thank God for that.
Sometimes, I’m outside with a child literally attached to me, and I just… breathe. Not perfectly. Not with a crystal in one hand and a chant on my lips. I just look up at the sky and allow myself to exist in that moment. Sometimes it’s 30 seconds. Sometimes it’s a few quiet minutes. But it counts. It always counts.
Other times, I’m between clients and I’ll lay on the floor in my office—yes, literally on the floor—and find my breath. I visualize thick, warm, golden-yellow roots rising up from the Earth to cradle me. Not just “connect” with me—but hold me. Comfort me. Anchor me.
There are moments where grounding is a full-on emotional release—me crying in the grass, letting the Earth catch the tears I’ve been holding back for too long.
And there are days it’s less poetic and more practical—me sitting with my coffee, exhausted, overwhelmed, scattered, whispering to myself: “I need some help.” And almost immediately, because of the practice and repetition, I feel it—the energetic shift, the surrender, the softness returning to my body. That’s grounding, too.
Sometimes I hold a crystal. Sometimes I play music. Sometimes I do nothing but breathe.
The truth is:
Grounding isn’t about what you do. It’s about the intention behind it.
It’s about presence.
It’s about releasing control, letting go of expectations, and not chasing a result.
It’s about surrender.
It’s about being held.
Want to Try It? Here’s a 2-Minute Practice to Start Right Now:
Place both feet flat on the floor (or the Earth).
Close your eyes and take three deep breaths.
Feel your body supported by whatever you're sitting or standing on.
Imagine roots growing from your feet down into the Earth.
Repeat: “I am grounded. I am safe. I am present.”
Try this daily for a week and see what shifts.
Final Thoughts
If grounding feels weird at first, you’re not doing it wrong—you’re just doing it new.
Let go of the idea that it has to look a certain way. Let go of the pressure to get it perfect.
Your body doesn’t need perfection.
It just needs you to come back.
🌿 Want support with grounding? Download my free Grounding Guide here.
Bonus Resources:
Until next time, stay rooted, stay radiant, and remember—you are never too much for the healing you deserve.
Kate | Ascending Alignment
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