Mindfulness Monday
Grounding to the Earth
Welcome to Mindfulness Monday at The Miscarriage Therapist.
Life after a pregnancy loss can feel very unsteady. We may struggle to find our grounding, our sense of self. We may struggle with connection. So, for our mindfulness practice today, we will consider how we can be more aware of the steady ground beneath our feet.
This grounding sensation that we can feel simply by planting our feet on the earth and recognizing how that physical sensation can support our emotional and mental health and our well-being, and how we can connect with the earth both physically and mentally.
All that is required for this practice is a willingness to connect with the sensation of being held by the earth underneath you.
Much of the day, as people, we walk, run, drive, or even fly, around the surface of the Earth. We are often unaware of our connection to the ground. We also can easily forget about the force of gravity, and its gentle weight, which connects us to the Earth. By becoming more aware of the Earth beneath us, and our connection to it, we can feel more rooted and grounded in our daily lives.
To begin, find a comfortable seated position outside in a nearby park, backyard, or outdoor area that you feel safe and secure within. Take several deep breaths and begin to bring stillness to your body as you breathe. Allow any thoughts that come up to pass through your mind without judgment of being good, bad, or off-topic. Simply try to settle comfortably into the moment.
If it feels comfortable and safe to do so, please close your eyes. Begin by drawing your awareness to your hands. If you are in a park, perhaps you notice the feeling of grass or leaves beneath you. A gentle crunch between your fingers or a soft, prickly, graze of grass in the palm of your hand. If you are not in a park, maybe you notice the cool sensation of concrete or the texture of the pavement under your hand. Or, perhaps there is a soft warmth radiating from the asphalt under your hand. As you notice these sensations, continue to breathe deeply.
Next, turn your attention to the sensation of your weight on the ground. Perhaps as you start to relax more, your body can sit more firmly and restfully. You notice that there is very little energy or demands being asked of you—just simply to sit and let the weight of the ground hold you up. It is a firm, solid, and steady presence beneath you, supporting you as you rest. As you continue to breathe deeply, you might also observe the gentle tug of gravity encouraging you to relax more and sit even more comfortably on the ground.  In this moment, as you are being held gently by the earth beneath you.
After a few more minutes, begin to open your eyes slowly and return to your day. Extend the thoughtful attention you paid to the Earth in your mindfulness practice to the rest of your day: notice how the ground feels as you walk and move throughout your day.
Recorded mindfulness practices are available to all paid subscribers of The Miscarriage Therapist.