Finding our center: Grounding through body, breath, nutrition, & lifestyle

In this episode, I focus on concrete ways we can find our center ~ ways we can access a grounded sense of safety, stability, security, & soothing ~ even in really difficult times where we may be overwhelmed with stress, grief, fatigue, and pain. While we can and do access grounding through our body, full grounding doesn’t just involve the physical body. Thus, finding our center is a holistic process ~ involving body, mind, heart, & spirit ~ and one that can be unifying and create wholeness. We focus on four categories of grounding, informed by my understanding of western psychological principles, yoga philosophy & Ayurveda. For example, we discuss 1) body-based grounding practices (e.g., grounding through the senses, mindful movement & specific yoga postures, food, spices, & nutrition), 2) specific breath practices that regulate the nervous system and stabilize our physiology, 3) cognitive strategies (e.g., imagery, dialectical thinking, self-compassion), and 4) through lifestyle and routine.

I also have some exciting news to share: I have developed a FREE 4-part video series called “The Science & Soul of Building Resilience.” This series is meant to help you enhance key pillars of resilience that can help us all navigate inevitable life stress with more ease and skill. I chose to focus on these specific pillars of resilience because they can help us address some of the most common struggles I see in my clients – anxiety, self-doubt, lack of direction or sense of self, disconnection from larger meaning & purpose, and self-criticism. Similar to the spirit of this podcast, this series integrates science-backed strategies from psychology with tools from ancient wisdom like yoga and meditation, to present skills over the course of this series that can be used and integrated into daily life. You can find the series here (https://unique-trader-1040.ck.page/0a3a623dbd). I hope you check it out and please feel share it with others as you feel inspired.

For more information, tools, and strategies, please follow 

@drfoynes on Instagram.

Please note that the information provided in this episode does not constitute professional advice or therapy, mental health services, or health care services, and is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional advice or services. If you are struggling with a mental health crisis or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.