Are you taking a break to Recover or Recharge? The Benefits of Grounding Habits

I am about to take 2 weeks off on a road trip for the school holidays with my family.

Its fair to say I am looking forward to the change in scenery, walks along the beach, being out of our normal environment and routine, and creating space for less doing and more thinking. We haven’t been on a proper holiday (anything longer than an extra long weekend) for about 5 years. 

Do you know what the best bit is?  As much as I am busy in the lead up, I’m not limping to the finish line.

How often do you look forward to a holiday or a break feeling like you really need it?  Not just need time off from work, but mentally and physically need a circuit breaker in order to be able to keep going?

And then when you return, it quickly becomes a distant memory and you do it all again?

Are your daily habits giving you energy?

In my work I talk with a lot of people about their goals.  Setting the right goals, ensuring they align with your purpose and your vision, and chunking them down into something that feels achievable to create progress and momentum.

We tend to think of goals as the big things we want to achieve some time in the future.  What about the seemingly small but important things that we want to do on a day to day basis that support us to achieve the big things?    What about the goals that are personal, just for us?

Daily habits are important.  The ones that help us to show up as our true selves and be in the present moment, are what I refer to as grounding habits.  As important as they are they can also be the first things to go out the window when we get busy, are in a stressful situation, or overwhelmed (put your hand up if this is you). 

This is also when our grounding habits help us the most.  They are the thing that create the space to block out the noise, maintain perspective and bring our focus back to what matters most.

What are grounding habits? 

Grounding habits are the things that help us to feel grounded and in control.  It may be exercise, eating well, finding time for rest, maintaining quality relationships and friendships, or making time for social activities and having fun.  Whatever it is for you, they are your chance to step off the wheel and find clear head space, be connected and in the moment.

Setting goals around grounding habits:

Setting goals around grounding habits help us to maintain focus and be productive. 

Goals for grounding habits should not be overwhelming.  Its about creating consistency to a level that works for you and is easily maintained, whilst also helping you to feel good.  Some habits may be daily, weekly, monthly or every couple of months (a weekend away for example), you decide what sets you up to turn up as your true self.

Putting a boundary around it:

One of my favourite times of the week is my Tuesday night pilates class.  Everyone in my family knows that at the same time every week that’s where I will be.  Locking in this time has helped me put a boundary around it so it doesn’t get shifted for other things.  It’s a chance to practice technique, be in tune with my body and my breath, challenge myself and not think about anything else except what is happening on the mat.  It is bliss for my body and my brain.

When it comes to your grounding habits, what do your boundaries look like?

Identify and maintain your grounding habits:

• Know your grounding habits, take a few minutes to write them down now,
• Rate them on a scale of 1 (doing it sporadically) to 5 (smashing it consistently), as to how you are performing in relation to your grounding habits now,
• Then give them a goal rating – where do you want to be in 3/6/12 months’ time?
• For the grounding habits you want to make progress on choose one to start with. Make it easy to gain progress,
• Create a structure to make it happen, put it in your calendar, your diary, your phone, tell everyone in your family and friends network, create a strong boundary, whatever will work for you,
• Track how you are going,
• Once you have that grounding habit embedded, start integrating the next one and build on the foundation you have created.

I would love to hear about your grounding habits.  If you have any questions on creating and maintaining your grounding habits feel free to get in touch via [email protected]