The Ninja Grounding Toolkit for Goddesses
Source Popsugar
Hey, have any of you been stressed out? I dunno why, life seems fine. Lol. I am like the dog in the picture. When stress and pain is present,I dissociate to such an extent that I don’t register the symptoms of stress in my body. Just keep on keeping on. I am basically resilient to a level of self-neglect. This is common among those who have experienced trauma during childhood.
While being resilient is great, it also has a shadow of escaping my emotions and sensations by checking out of my body. My awareness stays hiding in my mental body. Its severity makes me numb. I do not register when my feet are cold, or a body part is hurting until much time has passed. This coping mechanism is pretty common, yet not talked about enough. This realization, called for an upgrade to my self-care toolkit to include grounding practices (specifically for this coping mechanism) but it elevated my self-care tools overall. I share my grounding toolkit here in case this might be useful to you.
In being true to myself, I nerded out about this topic; sought help from acupuncturists, physical therapists, and created index cards that I have in my physical space to have quick access to them. Since I am a visual person, their presence reminds me to notice and check-in if I am dissociated.
My cue cards on my fridge with other self care reminders!
Here are the five hacks that make up the Ninja Grounding Toolkit for Goddesses.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I am merely sharing what I have learned, and please use your own discernment and follow the advice of a professional. This is shared as my experience only.
1. Vagus Nerve Reset.
This is the best biohack in the world and takes 30 seconds to do. We have a Vagus nerve that connects to all the major organs, therefore, this hack resets the nervous system. Learn it here.
2. Slowing the breath.
When we are breathing deeply, we are not thinking. This practice is simple but powerful. Learning to breathe deeply and slowly helps keep awareness in my body.
3. Using my senses and imagination to connect to Gaia.
Senses: I touch the houseplant next to me or if outdoors touch the grass, or anything concrete, to be more aware of my body.
Imagination: I see myself growing roots that go deep until they reach the center of the earth. Then I extend this connection to the sun. And I speak aloud several times, ‘I am held’, I am rooted. I am safe. My body is safe. My emotions are safe. I can cope’
4. Laying down on Acupressure Mat
I am trying to make this a daily practice. I have one of these acupressure mats. They affect the neck and torso, and it took some time getting used to lying on it. The relaxation and relief from stress are noticeable. It also helps alleviate back, knee, or neck pain, which were symptoms of my dissociation.
5. Use touch and narration of my immediate place and situation
If I notice I am dissociated while in my living room, I start narrating - I am in my living room, on the couch; it's afternoon. It is such and such time. I use my hands to softly and lovingly touch and caress my body or the couch to further help ground myself. I can do this when outside by whispering under my breath.
It is important to not guilt, shame or hate on ourselves for our coping mechanisms. Dissociation literally saved my life. It has intelligence. The healing is more about integrating my capacity to help myself reach a state of homeostasis whenever it shows up again. With lots and lots of love and compassion for myself.
Do you struggle with dissociation? Do you have any such hacks? What have you learned? Please share in the comments below.