Life moves at a blistering pace these days, and it takes our nervous systems with it. That is not the best environment for rest and regulation. When life happens faster than we can integrate, we feel unanchored and off kilter.

But don’t worry; we can help with that.

Touch grass. Connect with the Earth. Deep breaths. Focused minds. Kind hearts.

Touch Grass
Go outside and put your feet on the grass. If snow is still on the ground, put your feet on pavement or concrete. Put your feet in the sand if you live in a balmy climate. “Reconnection with the Earth’s electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being. Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits, including better sleep and reduced pain from walking barefoot outside.”

Connect with the Earth
Our planet has a rhythm and routine that serves us, too. Start your day by getting some daylight in your eyes, and end your day with the setting sun. These two forms of light input help keep your circadian rhythm aligned, making it easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. We are headed into the growing season, so get your hands in the dirt and spend time outside. Disconnect from the virtual world and reaffirm your space in the real one. Research touts the myriad benefits of spending time in nature.

Deep breaths
It’s not just for yoga. Slow, deep breathing can help us go to sleep at night, calm our nervous systems, and return to clarity when we have lost it. Taking time throughout the day to be still and practice slow belly breathing can help more than you can imagine. Breathing deeply into our lungs helps activate our parasympathetic nervous system, also known as our rest and digest system. This is what allows us to relax and restore.

Focused Minds
We have all heard that what you focus on will flourish. If there are circumstances you want to change, start envisioning what you want. It’s not enough to say, I don’t like what’s happening. We need to spend some time considering what we want to move toward. Our thoughts are the start of creating.

Kind Hearts
Let’s be honest: Tensions are running high. One thing that most of us have in common is that we are not the ones calling the shots. With that information, let us move in our circles and our neighborhoods with kindness. Let’s do our best to be empathetic and understanding of others- even when it’s hard. There is a reason that this is the last suggestion in the list. If we don’t do all the ones before, it’s nearly impossible to feel into this one. Stay close to your values. Stay close to your heart. Remember who you are and how you most want to be in this life.