How to Ground Yourself in the City

It is easy to ground yourself when you are surrounded by nature, but what do you do in an urban landscape? 

Working in the city? Here’s how to ground yourself when the stress gets too much by Pari Patri     

As an executive or entrepreneur, you’re no stranger to stress. You have a million and one things to do, and not enough hours in the day.

You like your work, yes. Maybe you even love it. Either way, there are always times when the balance tips and the stress just gets too much. You have so many plates spinning, and making sure one doesn’t fall can feel like a full-time job.

Heck, more than a full-time job. So how can you deal with it?  Learn how to ground yourself.

I’m an Executive Coach, helping high-powered leaders strategies to help them get back in touch with themselves and the joy in their lives. I give my successful executive and entrepreneur clients the following 5 strategies, to center and ground yourself:  

Ground Yourself #1. Implement a 5 minute morning routine

If you check your smartphone before you brush your teeth, you’re not alone. 80% of people with smartphones tap into their phone within 15 minutes of waking up in the morning.

But this causes problems because the first 15 minutes are a crucial moment you can use to connect with yourself and start your day off on the right foot. Instead, you’re immediately letting ‘the world’ access your mind, emotions, and intentions, before checking in with yourself!

The thing is, most of us don’t even realize this is what we’re doing. Of course, we’re keen to check that email from that potential client – did we get the contract? We want to see what’s going on in the world, so look at the news. Did your date WhatsApp you back? We live in a highly connected world, and that’s great news for our access to communication with others. But don’t let that stand in the way of you connecting with yourself.

When you wake up, resist the urge to look at your phone. Instead…

Minute 1 – Think of all the things you’re grateful for in life. If you can’t think of anything, waking up today and breathing is good enough!

Minute 2 – Set your intention for the day. ‘Today will be a great day.’ ‘Today I will choose joy.’ ‘Today I will ace my presentation.’ The specifics are up to you. What do you want for your day?

Minute 3 – Say 3 affirmations that support your intentions. Affirmations are a super powerful way to program our subconscious mind and delete all the limiting beliefs that hold us back from becoming the best version of ourselves. Put your hand on your heart and say 3 affirmations, such as, ‘Confidence and ease flow through me.’ Pick affirmations that make you feel amazing.

Minute 4 – Meditate. Let go of any stress, expectations or attachments. This is your time to relax, giving yourself permission to just be. Observe your breath, and if you feel your mind wandering, bring it back to your breath.

Minute 5 – Drink ‘high vibe’ water. 

Ground Yourself #2. Nourish your body

It’s all too easy when you’re busy at work to grab junk to eat at your desk or on the way home. Some high flyers find themselves reaching for comfort foods loaded with calories as a ‘treat’ to release stress. ‘I’ve been working so hard, so I deserve it,’ is the thought that often comes along with it. And it sounds like it makes sense.

But here’s the problem: Simple carbs cause your energy to dip and spike like crazy, which affects your productivity. Same with caffeine.

Though it takes a little extra effort, drinking more water and adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can work wonders for your emotional life.

Ground Yourself #3. Take in some nature

Have you heard of ‘earthing’? It’s one of my favorite techniques as it’s truly powerful and so simple to do. All you have to do is take your shoes off and stand on a natural surface, such as grass, soil, sand or rock. It makes you feel connected and ‘brings down’ your energy from your mental space and into your heart and body. If the weather’s no good, going for a walk in nature is a good substitute.

Ground Yourself #4. Meditate

So you’ve already incorporated meditation into your morning routine. But remember you have the option to take a moment throughout the day, too. Even 30 seconds of being still and bringing your focus back to your breath can work wonders.

Ground Yourself #5. Feed your soul

In the hustle and bustle of the business world, it’s all too easy to forget we have a soul to take care of. But forgetting comes with horrible consequences – feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, disillusionment, and burnout.

But ‘feeding your soul’ is kind of an abstract concept, isn’t it? What practical steps can you take to make sure it happens?

I have two recommendations…

1. Taking time – even just small periods – to do something that feeds your soul, can really fill up your cup and help you feel stronger and happier. What does this mean practically? It’s difficult to recommend anything in particular, as everyone is so different. Some people might choose to destress to nature music, while others find dancing to really nurture their soul! It’s really up to you. There is just one criterion – it has to make you feel deep down

2. Read books that speak to your soul – Master life coach Tony Robbins advises you take a half hour a day to read something that really nourishes your spirit. This shouldn’t be something to do with your professional career, and it shouldn’t be a mindless magazine, either – there’s time for both of these, but this is something quite different. 

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