Tip number 5 – how to stay present in the moment – grounding techniques
Intrusive thoughts is something that I struggle with a lot, and to my knowledge many suffer with this. It’s very difficult to stay present when your thoughts take over, but I want you to know that you are not alone in this. Some of the thoughts that I have had, I thought was unique to me, but after speaking to my therapists I have realized that many suffer with the same exact thoughts.
If you are like me and struggle with intrusive thoughts and staying present, the following might help:
- Breathing slowly while counting
- Tuning into different sounds around you
- Walking barefoot and noticing how the ground feels
- Wrapping yourself in a blanket and noticing how it feels around your body
- Holding an ice cube or splashing cold water on your face
- Touching something with an interesting texture or sniffing something with a strong smell
source – mind.org.uk
One of my personal favorites is listening to music and singing along to it. This helps me the most. But everyone is different, so try and see what works for you.
If you feel that some of these grounding techniques that I have mentioned, does not work for you, there is mindfulness, deep breathing, establishing a routine, journaling, and positive affirmations to name a few. Seeking help from a professional also helps immensely.
These things take time, so be patient with yourself and be kind to yourself. Don’t give up, it will get better.
Until next time, you are important, you matter, you are beautiful and most importantly you are loved.
xx