Types of Grounding Everyone With Anxiety Should Know

Full Disclosure: Clicking on these links could mean a tiny commission for me, at no extra cost to you.

Grounding techniques for anxiety come in many forms, and finding the right one depends on what works best for you. These exercises help you reconnect with the present moment by engaging your senses, thoughts, or body. Whether you prefer a hands-on approach with fidget rings, a mindful breathing exercise, or a mental distraction, there’s a grounding technique that can help calm your anxiety in the moment. The key is to keep trying them until you find one that works for you. Let’s go over the main types of grounding exercises and the many different grounding techniques you can use to calm your anxiety.

advertisement

1. Sensory Grounding (Engaging Your Senses)

These exercises focus on physical sensations to bring you back to reality. They are especially helpful for interrupting anxious spirals or dissociation.

• Holding a worry stone or crystals for anxiety and focusing on their texture.
• Using a spinner ring or fidget ring to keep your hands occupied.
• Smelling calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus.
• Running your hands under cold water or squeezing a stress ball.
• Paying attention to surrounding sounds or listening to calming music.
• Eating a piece of candy or savoring a flavorful drink to focus on taste.

2. Mental Grounding (Shifting Your Focus)

These techniques engage your mind, helping you redirect anxious thoughts and break free from overwhelming emotions.

• Practicing the 5-4-3-2-1 method (naming five things you see, four things you touch, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you taste).
• Repeating a calming mantra or affirmation.
• Counting backward from 100.
• Visualizing a safe and peaceful place.
•  Identifying and naming objects in the environment to shift focus.

3. Movement-Based Grounding (Releasing Anxiety Through Action)

Physical movement can help release built-up tension and provide an outlet for anxious energy.

• Stretching or practicing light yoga.
• Taking a short walk and noticing your surroundings.
• Shaking out your hands or tapping your feet rhythmically.
• Adjusting your posture to feel more stable and centered.

4. Emotional Grounding (Connecting with Comforting Feelings)

These exercises help shift your emotional state by using positive experiences and self-care techniques.

• Looking through happy photos or reading a comforting letter to yourself.
• Wrapping yourself in a soft blanket or holding a warm cup of tea.
• Listening to soothing music or nature sounds.

5. Visualization Grounding (Engaging Your Imagination)

Visualization techniques help shift your mental focus by mentally placing yourself in a calming or empowering scenario.

• Imagining yourself in a peaceful setting, like a quiet beach or a forest.
• Envisioning your anxiety as a tangible object and mentally “shrinking” it.
• Picturing yourself sending away negative thoughts on a floating cloud or a balloon.
• Creating a mental “safe space” where you can retreat when feeling overwhelmed.

6. Mindfulness Grounding (Building Present-Moment Awareness)

Mindfulness techniques encourage full engagement with the present, preventing anxious thoughts from taking over.

• Focusing on your breath, feeling the rise and fall of your chest.
• Observing your surroundings in detail—shapes, colors, sounds, and textures.
• Practicing mindful eating, fully savoring each bite and noticing the flavors.
• Engaging in a body scan meditation to release tension.

Our readers (yes, you) get an entire month of online breathwork classes for free. 

Final Thoughts on Types of Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques are highly customizable, and mixing different types can help you find the best approach for your needs. Whether it’s using a fidget ring, practicing mindful breathing, or surrounding yourself with self-care items, grounding is a powerful way to stay present and ease anxiety in real time.