Grounding Objects: Small Things can Yield Big Effects in Regulating Throughout the Day

A grounding object can be a small physical item that you can touch and feel, that is representative of stability and equilibrium for you. Some people may find solace in a stone, a piece of jewelry, a bandana, or another trinket that is pocket size and easily accessible on the go or in varying environments. You may already have one that you are using for this purpose, and haven’t even realized it yet.

Identifying a grounding object for yourself is a practical way to manage distress and discomfort so that you can refocus and get back on your path. This could include navigating anticipatory anxiousness, managing a depressive episode, or working through an unsettling experience like a flashback or dissociation.

Places people may want access to their grounding object include in the car, at work, at school, during a stressful conversation with someone, at a doctor or dentist appointment, and even in their own home. Knowing how and when to access your grounding object comes with practice, and the meaning you assign to the object and its purpose are important factors in believing in its worth when you need it.