Mindful Life Changes: Weekly Affirmations For Midlife

46. Finding Your Center and Peace with Two Simple Grounding Practices (Replay Ep.19)

• Valerie Mekki • Episode 46

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In a world that feels more unpredictable by the day, revisiting the fundamentals of finding calm in the chaos has never been more relevant. This week, we're bringing back a listener favorite from The Mindful Career Change Podcast: Episode 19, 'Finding Your Ground in Life's Chaos.' Host Valerie Mekki, an expert in career change counseling, guides us through transformative grounding practices designed to anchor us in the present, even as life whirls unpredictably around us.

Discover the enduring power of techniques like 'Grounding' and the '54321' method—simple, yet profound practices that can bring clarity, reduce stress, and enhance your decision-making prowess, especially crucial during career transitions. Whether you're new to our community or seeking a vital reminder of these essential skills, this episode offers invaluable insights into navigating life's uncertainties with grace and resilience.

Dive back into this pivotal episode with us and reinforce your toolkit for staying centered and making mindful decisions, no matter what life throws your way.

Formerly known as the "Mindful Career Change Podcast," I decided to broaden our conversation to cover all life transitions, not just our careers.

Follow the show @mindfullifechanges and DM a question or comment about the life transitions you're going through too. I might answer your question in one of the episodes to help you and other midlifers navigate this everchanging and beautiful season of life.

OR

Connect with me on LinkedIn @valeriemekki

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As I navigate this midlife phase of caring for my aging parents, traveling back and forth between Southern and Northern California, I found myself deeply relying on grounding practices to maintain my balance, staying up to a week at a time with them. I make it a point when I return home to connect with nature, whether it's scheduling a day to visit the beach or taking a hike alone. It seems as if my body and mind crave for this connection. Surrounded by nature, away from distractions, the pent-up emotions and distress accumulated during my visit begin to melt away. The chaos within finds its center again, much like hitting a reset button preparing me for whatever new challenge lies just around the corner. In our last episode, episode 45, I shared four ways to instantly release negative energy, and in this replay I want to revisit the power of connecting with nature through grounding practices. It's not just my story, it's a universal experience and practice.

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As many of you may be in the midst of a major life change or have just survived a challenging week of chaos, grounding practices could be that much-needed lifeline you are seeking to capture. These mindfulness exercises forces you to take a step back, literally grounding yourself in the earth, enabling you to find stability during turbulent times. So, as we listen again to this episode, I invite you to reflect on your own grounding practices. Can you find a place to reset, recharge and prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead? And, by the way, the place doesn't have to be a beach it could be in your own backyard or exactly where you are right now, in this moment. So, without further ado, here's a replay of episode 19, back when we were known as the Mindful Career Change Podcast. But I promise you you, the message still resonates with any life-changing moment. Sometimes life may seem like a whirlwind Between busy schedules, the changes that come with the career pivot or the mounting pressures of responsibilities. It can feel as though you're in the eye of a tornado, with life whizzing by. Everything appears blurry and chaotic. We don't have control over life's chaos, but we do have the ability to stand firmly in the midst of it all and be grounded, present in the moment with clarity and focus, even when life is spinning around us.

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Hello and welcome to the Mindful Career Change podcast. I am your host, valerie Mechie, a career change counselor and guide. In today's episode, we're going to explore some basic grounding practices and the incredible benefits they offer by dedicating just a few minutes from your busy day or starting your day. With these practices, you can ground yourself, be present in the moment and leave with a centered feeling, a valuable practice that can help manage your way through a career pivot or a life transition. So what does it mean to be grounded?

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Being grounded is a state of mental and emotional stability and clarity. You feel calm, balanced and connected to the present moment. You are firmly planted on the ground, both physically and emotionally, instead of feeling scattered ground, both physically and emotionally, instead of feeling scattered, anxious or overwhelmed. When you're grounded, it's like being in control of your thoughts and feelings rather than them controlling you. Imagine that whirlwind I described to you earlier, with life whizzing and spinning around you, and there you are, at the center, standing, still able to be present in the moment, catching the most important details that matter the most. It's like a scene in a movie, when the speed slows down and everything becomes clearer. That's what it's like to be grounded. Even in the midst of life's chaos, your response isn't to get swept up, but to stand in the moment with focus and clarity. Pretty amazing, right.

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Learning how to be present is an essential tool as you navigate your way through a career change or a life transition. Grounding has the power of calming your nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the fight or flight response, and additionally, being grounded can help strengthen your parasympathetic nervous system, which aids your body's rest and digest functions. Grounding helps manage your body's response to stress and facilitates recovery from it. Another benefit emotional regulation. Grounded individuals are better equipped to manage their emotions during stressful situations, reducing the likelihood of impulsive or reactive behavior. I know when you're facing new challenges and situations with a career change, you're more likely to handle it all in stride when your. Another benefit Enhance clarity and focus. When you're grounded, you experience a clearer mind and improved concentration. This mental clarity empowers you to make better decisions and solve problems more effectively and be more present in your daily activities, which is paramount as you navigate your way through this career change.

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Way through this career change, being grounded isn't a one-and-done action. It takes practice. You're training your mind and body to be present, which may sound simple, but it takes time to master. You can start by practicing grounding at least once a day. Once you get into the rhythm of adding it into your daily routine, you'll definitely reap the benefits and will make a career change or a life transition less stressful and more effortless.

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Now let's get to the good stuff. I'm going to share and guide you through two basic and simple grounding practices. I've chosen these because they're accessibility and flexibility, allowing you to practice them anytime and anywhere. And flexibility, allowing you to practice them anytime and anywhere. The first practice is called grounding, pretty easy to remember and fitting right. It can also be referred to as earthing.

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This practice involves connecting your physical body to the earth's electrical energy. Researchers and scientists theorize that there is a transfer of energy from the earth to our bodies. When we are barefoot on the grass, sand or dirt and surrounded by nature, you can stand firmly, feeling the earth beneath your bare feet, take a walk, sit on a chair with your feet planted on the ground, or sit cross-legged on the ground, as long as your body is physically touching or connected to the ground. Researchers have found that even sticking your hands in the soil can have the same effect. Connecting your body to the earth's electrical waves can really have a great impact to your body and mental health. If you have a yard, you can practice this exercise in the privacy of your own home, or try it in a park or at a beach.

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Earthing can be as short as a five-minute breathing exercise, affirmation practice or a body scan, or it could be longer, up to 30 minutes. Do what feels right for you, or start with just a few minutes and gradually extend the duration as needed. So let's practice grounding together. I'll walk you through a slow body scan and intermittently guide you so you can fully embrace the earth beneath you. We'll start with finding a quiet space outdoors. If you haven't done so, remove your shoes and or socks and firmly plant your bare feet on the natural surface. You can also be sitting, just make sure that your bare feet are touching the earth. We'll begin by slowly closing your eyes or, if it's more comfortable, softly direct your gaze forward.

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Feel the earth beneath you, Notice the sensations you feel underneath your feet, your toes, and take a cleansing breath in and let all the air out. Wiggle your toes and embrace the feeling of the earth between them. Take a cleansing breath in and out. Take a cleansing breath in and out. Imagine the electrical energy from the earth beneath you. See the beautiful colors of the energy gently and slowly go up around your ankles. Slowly rise around your calves. Imagine the energy waves gracing your thighs. Take a cleansing breath in and out. Imagine the earth's wavelengths of energy slowly go around your hips, up the back of your spine, bringing energy to your shoulders, releasing any tension around this area. Take a cleansing breath in and out, releasing any tension around this area. Take a cleansing breath in and out. Now imagine the energy slowly rising toward the back of your neck, softening your jawline and slowly crowning your head with the beautiful energy from the earth.

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If you had your eyes closed, slowly open them. Try practicing grounding once a day for 21 days. Try practicing grounding once a day for 21 days. It could be beneficial if you tried earthing in the morning, before you start your day, or in the afternoon. The next grounding practice is called the 5-4-3-2-1 method. This technique helps you connect with your five senses sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste. It involves noticing and naming the following five things you see four things. You can feel three things. You can hear two things, you can smell and one thing you can taste. Focusing on your senses can bring you back to the present moment whenever you feel anxious or overwhelmed, allowing you to feel calmer and more in control. I love this calming technique because it can be done anytime and anywhere. So for those who may not have an outdoor access at their leisure, like myself, you can practice the 5-4-3-2-1 method anywhere. It's a great alternative to the earthing practice.

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I'll walk you through this practice. Start by getting into a comfortable position. This can be either standing or sitting, with your feet planted on the floor. Take a cleansing breath in through your nose and exhale like you're blowing out a candle. Firstly, look around you and focus on five things you can see. You can say them out loud or in your head. Call out the color of the object or where it's placed or located. I'll give you a moment to practice. Next, pay close attention to your body and note four things you can feel. It could be the fabric of your clothing, your feet on the ground or what's in front of you. Feel the textures. I'll give you a moment to practice. Then, listen what are three things you can hear right now? Call them out or say them in your head. Next, smell what are two things you can smell? Take a cleansing breath in and out. Say them out loud or in your head. I'll give you a moment to practice. Finally, taste what is the one thing you can taste? It could be the drink in front of you, a piece of mint or gum Whatever you have nearby that you can take a small taste, of taste the sensation in your mouth. I'll give you a moment to practice and take a final breath in and out.

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Try practicing this grounding technique once a day for 21 days to reconnect your body to your five senses, train your body to be present in the moment as you master the art of being grounded. I hope these two grounding exercises introduce you to the world of mindfulness as you navigate your way through this career-changing journey. If you're new to this podcast, thank you for joining us. Please make sure to subscribe and bookmark this episode so you'll have it handy whenever you need a quick guide to these grounding exercises To further your practice of grounding and mindfulness.

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Consider an affirmation practice. Start with one of my favorites, episode number four. I am outgrowing my comfort zone and I am capable of moving past the discomfort. Practicing grounding and training your body and mind to be present can come with discomfort, which is completely normal. You're stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new, and this affirmation can help support you along the way. If you found this episode helpful, please feel free to share it with a friend or a family member who may be curious about adding grounding exercises and mindful practices into their daily life. You can also help by rating this episode, leaving a review wherever you're listening. Your feedback will help this podcast grow and blossom so it can reach more like-minded people who are in the midst of a career change. Thank you for joining me and, most importantly, thank yourself for taking the time to make a mindful career change. I'll talk to you soon.