How to Stay Grounded in the Present

Everyday life's hustle can be exhausting, with responsibilities like childcare, work, and bills turning life into a stressful routine. This often leads to stress and losing touch with our true selves.

However, we can remain calm amidst chaos by controlling emotions and adhering to core values. The key is to stay present, focusing on the now rather than past or future. Concentrating on current thoughts and emotions helps maintain balance and leads to a happier, stress-free life. 

Let's learn to stay grounded in the present.

Key Takeaways

• Staying grounded is all about being in the present and staying in control of your own thoughts and emotions.
• Due to outside factors and daily stress, staying grounded can be very difficult.
• With the help of various methods, which we discuss below, staying grounded in the present is possible.

What Does Stay Grounded Mean?

At its core, staying grounded means that you can stay calm and collected and connect with the core of who you are, the essence of your being, in the face of chaos and uncertainty.

It’s about being able to control your thoughts, values, emotions, purposes, and vision without being influenced by outside factors.

Being grounded means that you are in control of yourself, and one way that seems to help with this is being in the present, otherwise known as focusing on the present.

If you can focus on the present and what is happening right here and now, staying grounded and in control of yourself becomes much easier.

How to Stay Grounded in the Present

Now that we know what it means to stay grounded, let's go over a few great methods to stay grounded in the present.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing simple gratitude is a great way to humble yourself and stay grounded in the present.

Take the time out of your day to notice when somebody helps you, to realize when someone has gone out of their way to assist you, and when someone has helped you even though they didn't have to.

Practicing gratitude and realizing that there are good people around you willing to do good things can help you stay grounded in the present and in control of your emotions.

Simply put, instead of blaming other people for problems and complaining about how certain things could have been avoided, it's much healthier to be grateful for the things you do have.

Some people might say, be grateful for what you have instead of complaining about what you don’t. It's much easier to be happy and grounded when you're thankful for what you have instead of obsessed with what you don't have. 

Prioritize Your Mental and Emotional Health

The unfortunate reality is that many more people suffer from mental illness and emotional health problems than we would like to admit, about one in five people. It's no shame to admit that you're struggling with your emotions and mental health.

Part of staying grounded in the present is understanding your own emotions and feelings and being able to deal with them healthily, even if they are negative emotions.

Therefore, it's a good idea to see a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist if you feel that you are struggling and unable to cope on your own. 

If you can't manage on your own, there are people that can help.

There are also ways to prioritize your mental health without having to spend money on a professional, such as through meditation and guided breathing.

Meditation and guided breathing are both also great ways to stay grounded in the present. This is especially the case when practicing what is known as mindfulness.

Get Grounded Physically with Exercise

A great way to stay grounded and stay in control of your thoughts and emotions is to get physical and exercise. Sometimes, when your mind is racing, and your thoughts are getting the best of you, there's nothing better than to exert yourself physically.

It's a great way to burn off some steam, burn some calories, and work off some of that stress. Exercising, especially if you have a strict routine, really lets you focus on the present and block out any outside distractions.

Appreciate Simple Pleasures

Like they say, don't forget to smell the roses along the way.

If you're constantly focused on the future and big-picture goals, you'll never stop along the way to enjoy the small things.

If the only thing you're obsessed with is success in the future, and you always want more and more, then you can't possibly enjoy the small successes and joys along the way.

Sure, you might want to run your own ice cream company, but for the time being, enjoying a good cone of rocky road should be good enough. 

Don't forget that the small things can please you too.

Take a Break

As we said above, life can be stressful, so one of the best ways to stay grounded and in control of your emotions is to just take a break. Sometimes, your brain and body need a break from all of that daily stress.

Whether we're talking about mental or physical stress, they can both break you. If you want to avoid unnecessary symptoms of anxiety and stress, disconnecting from the world and just focusing on your own health is always a great idea.

Don't work yourself to the bone.

Connect with Others

Sometimes, the worst thing you can do if you're feeling anxious or stressed out is to be alone and to stew in your own thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, it's best to connect with other people.

Maintaining relationships with other people is a great way to distract yourself from daily life.

Connect to Your Breath

One of the best and most proven ways to stay grounded, especially when it comes to relieving symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, is to engage in what is known as guided breathing.

Guided breathing involves special types of breathing techniques that are designed to relieve stress and help calm you down, and this is generally guided by some kind of expert.

Even if you don't want to do guided breathing, focusing on your own breath, such as counting while you inhale and exhale, can help keep you in the present.

Eat Grounding Foods

Your diet can also make a difference, so if you want to stay grounded in the present, eating grounding foods is recommended. You should try to eat a lot of natural foods that aren't processed or full of chemicals that may have nasty side effects.

You should probably also stay away from things like coffee and all other sources of caffeine, as well as various stimulants in general.

If you want to stay in control of your own thoughts and emotions, being hyped up on massive amounts of caffeine is probably not your best bet.

Be Kind

Always remember to be kind. It's really easy to lose yourself in anger and frustration in the moment, but then later on, you'll regret it. If you don't want stress and anxiety to overtake your life, being a kind person is a great way to live.

Like they say, kindness brings kindness.

Techniques to Stay in the Present

If you're having trouble staying in the present and grounding yourself, here are some other techniques you can use.

Counting Something

A great way to block out everything around you is to count something. Whether you're counting the tiles on the ground, leaves of grass, or anything in between, it's a great way to stay in the present.

This has you focused on counting something rather than everything else around you.

Body Movement

Body movement, or some kind of repetitive exercise, is another great way to stay focused and present. You can block out everything around you by focusing on one body movement.

This is why a lot of people go to the gym; it's said to help relieve symptoms associated with stress.

Savoring a Scent

To stay in the present, you could try to savor a scent. Really use your nose to find some kind of scent or smell in the air and then examine it as closely as possible.

Keep inhaling it and think to yourself what kind of smell it is, where it comes from, what kind of emotions it elicits, and so on. 

If you find a pleasant smell that can bring you to what some people might call a happy place, it can really help you stay in the present.

Spell the Weather

Although it sounds funny to say, something else you can do to stay grounded in the present is to spell the weather. Yes, we're talking about going outside, examining the weather, and then literally spelling it out letter for letter.

It's just a simple little exercise that helps you stay in the present.

Listen to Your Surroundings

Speaking of the weather and your surroundings, something else you could try doing is listening to your surroundings. Try listening to all of the different sounds around you, and then, one by one, focus on specific ones. 

Maybe you can hear a car engine, a cricket chirping, water dripping, or anything else of the sort. Just try and focus on a specific sound and really take it in.

Solo Task

If you want to stay grounded in the present, sometimes the best thing you can do is some kind of solo task, just any kind of busy work to keep you occupied. Sometimes, keeping your mind off of all the stress of your daily life is enough to help you remain in the present.

Supplements That Help with Calm

If you're still having trouble calming down and staying in the present, there are some supplements that you can take on a daily basis that can help.

L-theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid found in various mushrooms, teas, and other plants. This is a compound that may have the potential to support sleep, cognitive abilities, and relaxation.

There are indications that this compound helps to increase levels of GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, all of which, in their own ways, make you feel pleasurable and happier.

MCT

MCT, or MCT oil, is a special supplement made from medium-chain triglycerides. An overview of studies indicates that consuming MCTs regularly may help lead to clear thinking, better focus, and improved cognitive abilities.

If you're better able to focus, then staying grounded in the present becomes much easier.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a plant that has often been used in traditional medicines because it's full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

There are studies that suggest that this plant is able to stimulate the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, a compound that has the ability to help you calm down and relieve stress.

Rhodiola Rosea

This is another plant that's been used for many centuries in an attempt to treat depression, fatigue, anxiety, stress, and more.

There is evidence that suggests that through a variety of mechanisms, this plant has the ability to stimulate bodily resistance against emotional, environmental, and physical stressors. 

In simplest terms, it's an adaptogen, something that can help your body deal with stress.

Bacopa Monnieri

Commonly known as Waterhyssop, bacopa monnieri is another one of these plants that's been used for centuries for a variety of reasons. 

Some of the potential health benefits of this plant include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and various properties that may help boost cognition and overall brain function. 

Specifically, studies show that this plant is able to help reduce cortisol levels. Keep reading here to find out how to naturally reduce cortisol.

Resveratrol

Here, we have something very interesting: a chemical that is found primarily in red grapes, as well as products made from those grapes, including juice and wine.

According to recent evidence, this chemical can control inflammation and oxidation, protect your heart, and protect your brain. 

It may also have neurodegenerative benefits as well. There is also evidence which indicates that it has the ability to block the expression of enzymes associated with stress.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance, one of its main functions being to protect the nerve cells in your brain. 

There is evidence that suggests that this nutritional supplement is able to promote better memory and overall cognitive function. 

There are also studies that indicate that it is able to help balance cortisol levels, therefore reducing stress.

Maca Root

We then have maca root, an adaptogenic substance that is able to help the body deal with various stressful factors in many different ways. Research shows that maca root has both anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, the main non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis, is known to have the potential to reduce symptoms associated with stress and anxiety. The reason for this is because it may have an effect on cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine.

Where to Find Supplements for Calm

If you are looking for a supplement that can help you stay calm and centered, consider taking TUNE IN. 

This groundbreaking supplement comprises various beneficial elements, such as lion’s mane, Rhodiola rosea, alpha GPC, ashwagandha, cordyceps, B vitamins, and much more. It’s a tasty supplement that you can mix with water, juice, and more.

It’s something that has great potential as far as your cognitive abilities and mental state are concerned. Staying present and not dissociating from yourself becomes much easier when you have the right kinds of supplements and brain-healthy compounds in your corner!

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that if you can stay grounded in the present, then you’ll be able to much better deal with the stressful and anxiety-inducing chaos that is everyday life. 

Using the various methods and supplements that we’ve discussed above, you can easily remain in the present, stay in control of yourself, and remain grounded.

Staying Grounded in the Present: FAQs

How Do You Remain Grounded?

There are various ways to stay grounded, including being kind, focusing on yourself, meditating, exercising, and more.

Why is it So Hard to Stay Grounded?

Staying grounded is so hard because there are always external stressors and anxiety-inducing factors that pull us away from ourselves.