Emotional grounding is another word for centering, temporary distraction or detaching.
It can be used when having any intense emotions like sadness or anger, or when having flashbacks, or panic.
There are many different ways to use grounding and many involve using our 5 senses.
You can use the play-doh by focusing on how it feels in your hands. Notice the color of the play-doh. Pay attention to its unique salty smell.
You can use the grounding rock similarly. Focus on the feel and look of the rock. Repeat in your head things you are grateful for.
It can even be made into a categories type game. In this game, you name things you are grateful for from A to Z. My personal list is below.
War-heads, being so sour shock the nervous system and brings your back to the focus of the taste.
Grounding helps keep us in the here and now instead of our brains being focused in the past or future.
It is always helpful to return to emotions. That is, when they are not in the driver’s seat, so to speak.
This is a technique to practice even when we are feeling well. By doing this, we can easily use it when we need it.
More ideas on grounding here
Gratitude itself can be a helpful concept. It doesn’t always come that easy, especially when struggling.
Learn what Harvard Health says about gratitude
Gratitude A-Z
A: adventure
B: bananas
C: coffee
D: dogs
E: elephants
F: firemen
G: grass
H: healing modalities
I: ice cream
J: jokes
K: kind people
L: love
M: mountains
N: nachos
O: openness (areas and in personality)
P: poetry
Q: quiet
R: rest
S: sunshine
T: time
U: umbrellas
V: veterans
W: writing
X: X-men movies
Y: yoga
Z: zen