75 Things That Help Me Stay Grounded
Photo by Allison Melnik Photography
I started compiling this list during the early days of COVID (well, we don’t really know if we’re out of the objective early days until we actually know when it’ll end, but that’s besides the point). It took me a while to realize that I was really holding up pretty well, staying grounded, getting my needs met, despite many people around me not having the same experience.
This is by no means a comparison of what anyone “should” do or a criticism of why some people aren’t able to stay as centered– people have a million different stories, circumstances, and situations at play that are different from mine. However, it was worth it for me to take an objective look at what’s helped me stay grounded, because this tends to be what works for me.
Really, I’m documenting this for me, for when I might lose track of some of these basics that keep me healthy, positive, and grounded. If by reading this, you get something of value for yourself, too, that’s awesome. Take what you can use, and leave the rest.
How I approach these habits
I'm also not saying I do each of these every single day. These are more broad strokes, common patterns and themes that I purposely include in my life on a regular basis, whether that is every day, every couple days, or every week, etc.
If I'm feeling off, chances are that there's a bunch of things missing from this list that I have not incorporated or that I’ve lost sight of the importance of. Most of these are so simple on their own, but added together, they keep my body and my mental space feeling smooth and like a well oiled machine. (I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for these simple things after learning more about the Vagus Nerve. If you want to get down a rabbit hole, there’s a heck of one for you.)
As you read through, remember that the goal isn't to do everything every single day. I look at this list as more of a toy chest of all these great things that ground me and bring me back in my body and the present moment.
Many of them are extremely simple, and might even seem insignificant. But remember, as Jim Rohn would say, “What’s simple to do is also simple not to do.”
Pick and choose, be healthy, and have fun.
The habits can be broken down into these main themes:
Connect with others
Connect with your body
Connect with your surroundings
Connect with your spirit
Connect with your mind
Remember how big you are
Remember how small you are
Create
Laugh (don’t take yourself so seriously)
Alright, let’s dive into the specific things that may help you stay grounded in each of these main areas of life.
Connect with others
Call someone to share something with.
Call someone to check in on them.
Pet the dog (note: feeding, pouring water, walking the dog, picking up the dog’s poop does not count).
Say hi to the stranger you walk by on the sidewalk.
At the grocery store check out, slow down, look the cashier in the eye, and thank them for being here.
Go to a meeting and identify with people's win's and struggles.
Tell someone at work how much you appreciate them.
Get someone a gift who isn’t expecting it.
Bake something and share with the neighbors.
Keep track of folks’ birthdays and special occasions on a spreadsheet, and surprise them by remembering and acknowledging it.
Give someone a hug and hold on 5 seconds longer than usual.
Call your grandma and ask how she’s doing. Notice her accent.
Connect with your bodyDrink water.
Prepare and cook your own food.
Eat said food. And while eating said food, enjoy it.
Go for a walk.
Go to the gym (on the way there, blast some music, open the car windows, and sing loud and proud).
Stretch.
Masturbate.
Take a nap.
Put a song in your headphones, blast it, and start dancing around your apartment with your eyes closed (if you’re afraid that you won’t be able to hear and respond if someone is trying to break in and mug you, just dance in your locked bathroom for added security).
Listen to a song and tap or clap along with the drum beat.
Play drums for 5 minutes.
Get a piece of rope and make the craziest knot you can. Then try to untie it.
Put something in your hands to fidget with (whether it’s twigs, leaves, a rope, a magnetic chain, or otherwise).
Do 1 set of pull-ups when you walk under the bar in your doorframe.
Take your socks off and wiggle your toes. Watch them wiggle. Let it sink in how wild that is.
Look at yourself in the mirror.
See how deep you can look into your own eyes.
Stick out your tongue — notice how it’s impossible to stop it from moving. Let it sink in that you’re not in control.
Lie down. Put your hand on your heart, and feel it beat. Thank it. Tell it it’s doing a great job.
Connect with your surroundings
Go outside.
Get some sunlight into your day.
Get in nature. Listen, smell, and touch everything you can.
Tidy the desk
Make the bed
Reset the room when you leave it.
Clean the dust off something.
An empty sink = happiness.
Empty all the garbage cans in your apartment and notice how much lighter you feel.
Connect to your spiritMeditate. Count to 4. Say hi to your inner child.
Take one deep breath whenever you're filling up a glass of water.
Buy yourself flowers. Remind yourself how worth it the purchase is, even if you’re the only one that sees them.
Journal.
Sit on the bed, and ask yourself how you’re doing, and what’s really going on under the surface.
Be a safe place for yourself to feel however you feel.
Tell yourself you’re doing a great job.
Be vulnerable with someone you trust.
Cry. Don’t hold it back.
Look at baby pictures of yourself.
Look at pictures from that hard time in your life. Reflect on how you’ve made it through to the other side.
Connect with your mindListen to a podcast that makes you excited and alive.
Listen to a book in 2.0 speed and envision yourself plugged into The Matrix. Then carry this "I'm so cool" feeling around with you all day.
Do the smallest and most insignificant thing on your to-do list.
Remember how big you areGo outside. Look down on the ground. Find a bug. And follow it for a minute. Remember how big you are. Get some perspective on your place in the world.
When you find a spider in the apartment, catch it and put it outside. You’re officially a lifesaver.
Remember how small you areWatch the clouds move.
Look up at an airplane going by.
Remember how you are just a speck floating on a ball in the middle of the cosmos.
CreateWrite.
Share it.
Draw.
Scrapbook.
Write a song.
Play a new melody.
Laugh (don’t take yourself so seriously)Do something that makes you feel like a kid.
Do something for no reason other than it’s fun.
Bring two poop bags on walks, always (Murphy’s Law).
When on a walk and throwing away the dog poop, take a 3-pointer shot into the garbage can like it’s a basketball hoop.
If you make it, don’t hide your excitement about it. Fist pump for anyone who is around to see.
And that’s the list! I had no idea it was this many things I regularly try to do until I put them down on paper. I may add to and refine this list over time.
What points stood out and resonated for you?
Anything you’d add to this list that helps you stay grounded?