How to use Grounding Techniques | Kati Morton

We have talked in the past about grounding techniques, and how those can help when we are dissociating or in the “freeze” state, but what do we do if we are in the fight/flight state? Alexa talks about how we are soothed as children and how our brains are actually wired for connection. With that in mind she gives us some ideas of ways to recreate that soothing feeling and how to build a resiliency box, so you have these tools with you when you need them.

When we are babies we connect with our mother through feeding. We make eye contact, we suck and swallow. We can be upset, crying and even throwing a tantrum, but a few moments being fed and we become calm. Alexa uses this image to offer up some soothing techniques. We can suck on candies, make eye contact and hear the voice of someone we love and who is safe, and do some slow deep breathing. She recommends asking that safe and loving person to leave a voicemail or send us a video saying something nice. Then keep that in your resiliency box so you can hear it and see it when you need it most.

I hope you found this video helpful and keep it in a playlist so you can re-watch it as you create your own resiliency box! Huge thank you to Alexa for sharing her knowledge, and thank you to my Patreon Patrons for their support! It’s because of them that this collaboration (and all of my videos really) are possible. xx

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[kellydurham]

For me whenever I feel an intense anxiety attack coming on I like to use the hot Texas sun to my advantage. I like to step outside and sit down with the sun on my skin until I start focusing on how hot I am rather than how anxious I am. Just the warmth on my skin helps me feel and remember where I am and that I’m not in danger and don’t need to be afraid. I’m just hot.

[sunnysayscello]

Your so kind. You think about everyone’s point of view and multiple things with lots of variation for different people.

[aubreyfuss]

I’m planning on becoming a psychologist. You have helped me to confirm the decision because it has been lurking in my mind for about an year. I just want to help the people that are experiencing the things that I have felt, because nobody deserves to feel that bad. I have had what I am pretty sure is dysthymia (but I am fading out of it) and bad social anxiety. Thank you for helping me <3

[camrynelias]

Kati I had a really bad day today at school and Everytime I watch your videos you put the warm feel in my heart

[melaniesouthworth]

Yes yes yes. Use this constantly!

I’ve been so pulled to start a mental health channel on YT because I feel that it is not talked about enough but finding this channel gives me more hope ❤️

[frankrizer]

This is perfect! I've been going to trauma therapy for a while now, we have gone over grounding technique so many times but this video taught me a few new tricks to try! I found Kati just recently but I'm so happy I did! I've been going through and watching videos you made 5 years ago... Thank you so much. Please keep making amazing content. I have therapy once a week but your videos have made it easier to get through the week, and I just want to say thank you for that!

[AliciaMessinger]

I actually heard about grounding from a young nurse as I was being discharged from a hospital stay. I am often hospitalized for pneumonia or bronchitis and leaving the hospital can be very scary even when all you want to do is be home. I started to have a small anxiety attack asking over and over if she was sure I was healthy enough to go home. And she sat down next to me and taught me a technique that I've used ever since. I didn't know there were more so when I saw your video title I was really excited! Having an assortment of tools is so incredibly helpful. Thank you for the resource!

[nicelydone]

I clicked on this bc I deal with disassociation and depersonalization. I've been repeating to myself, "stay present, here and now, bc this is real, dont let time slip away". I had set timers on my phone for every hour of the day.

I didnt have help for a long time. So that's how I was trying to cope. It's weird how I knew nothing about disassociation but i knew a huge amount of my day was spent disassociating.

I now have a therapist helping me. I was curious what you had to say about the topic. I'm glad I watched.🧡

[benhinton]

I love the art of fragrance, wearing fragrance every day helps keep me grounded all throughout the day!

[whippetgood]

Grounding is something I never took advantage of until I was in chronic pain, and now that it is part of my daily self care I am so excited to see a resource like this so clearly put out for those who might be trying to find out what will ground them specifically. I recommend having a grounding method to any person I meet who has some sort of overwhelming reoccurring feeling now, so I’m glad that to see something so useful and simple being explained in depth so that people understand why it’s helpful. Thank you for the resource!

[tannermuir]

This is better than most videos I found on YouTube definitely recommending this to my friends and family

[VanCamelCat]

This one comes in just in time. Thank you.

[jeremyduer]

I have PTSD & complicated grief with severe dissociation and have a hard time staying grounded, especially in therapy. I started using fidget toys, which have helped a lot, but I have to work hard to stay present. Luckily, my therapist knows me well enough now to know when I’m staring to dissociate and can usually bring me back into the present. It’s when I’m alone and get triggered when I have the most difficulty. Thanks for giving me more ways to stay grounded. I’ll give them all a try. 💕

[ajj]

I discovered you through Shane... And i think i've found my new favorite channel!

[joyermum]

Thank you Katy. I really appreciate your videos.

[jembee]

Grounding is so important for SPD! When I'm going into sensory overload grounding can be so useful. There's some great new ideas in here. Awesome video as ever! Thank you!

[siddharthss]

thank you very much for this video ! very helpful and informative !

[mariahalysse]

i just tried the clapping technique and after did it i felt the most present i have felt in over a year

[ezequiel]

This is truly a blessing. Thank you, for real.

[aaronlee]

Thanks Katie. I'll try to remember these when I get really anxious