As we dive deeper into this pandemic with no proper end in sight, we must confront the truth: shit is real. Masks are here to stay for a while; Things are tougher to figure out because our routines are out of sync; Our brains are tired of zooming on calls; Physical touch is better than a phone call. Our minds are being pulled in a hundred different directions at any given moment, making it super easy for us to get swept away in the chaos.

None of it is ok…but actually it is.

It’s OK to Not Be OK!

The first step towards finding peace and balance is accepting things the way they are. Grounding yourself in the present moment and your physical body is like putting down an anchor – steadying yourself against that rushing, sweeping mental chaos we just mentioned.

Accepting that there is a lack of peace is the only way that you can honestly approach creating peace. How can we be expected to make any positive changes for own minds and bodies if we are not actually connected to how we really feel?

What we should be taking away from the constant messages of self-care we see all over social media is that we are all in need of support. But, we need to be ok with the fact that this support looks different for everybody. Your version of self care might not look like CBD bubble baths and yoga, and that’s ok. We just need to admit that things truly do feel sucky from time to time, seek support in a way that feels genuine to us on a personal level and recognize that everybody’s journey to ‘OK’ is different.

Connect to What You Need

Before you can land on the most effective self care modality to deal with all of it, it is important to ground your energy. Getting out of your head – pressing pause on dwelling on the past or worrying about the future – and focusing on being present in your physical body can provide a whole new sense of clarity.

When you are present in the moment, your decisions are not based on what you think might make somebody else happy; or what you feel guilty about; what you should be doing. Rather, you are making decisions based on the only thing that matters: the here and now.

So, before you jump into any new self care fad that promises to make you wake up from this living nightmare, ask yourself this: “Am I grounded and clear enough to identify what I need?”

What Does it Actually Mean to Ground Yourself?

On paper, grounding isn’t hard to do. In practice, it could definitely be one of those easier-said-than-done situations. Grounding is all about being connected and present: not worrying about the past, the future, what other people think or what you’re “supposed to” be doing, and just focusing on what is real in this moment. Connecting with nature, focusing on your breathing, or simply tuning in to your senses are all amazing grounding techniques that you can do anytime, anywhere.

Mindful awareness is the key to any grounding practice. This means being aware of your thoughts, aware of your body, and aware of your surroundings. Just having the mindfulness to take a pause and notice how your body feels when you start to get anxious; where do you feel the anxiety physically?; what thoughts were filling your mind when you started to feel this way? Taking inventory of your thoughts and feelings grounds you in the moment and strengthens the connection between mind and body.

When you bring your awareness to the ‘here and now’, you are creating that grounding anchor and your mind isn’t able to drift off into the abyss of anxiety, doubt, fear, guilt or regret.

How CBD Can Help You Stay Grounded

Our Endocannabinoid System is the ultimate regulator. Dr. Ethan Russo, one of the most notable doctors and researchers championing the use of cannabis as medicine has called the Endocannabinoid System the “bridge between mind and body”. This is due to its ability to not only assess the status of nearly every physiological system in our bodies, but communicate that status across neural pathways, signaling the need for either up-regulation or down-regulation of cellular actions. The Endocannabinoid System’s job is to restore and maintain balance, keeping everything in “The Goldilocks Zone” where everything is just right.

CBD is a really special cannabinoid in the way that it works its magic on pathways and receptor sites outside of the ECS, while also modulating actions within the ECS. CBD allows for more of an endocannabinoid called anandamide to be present in the body. Anandamide is often referred to as “the bliss molecule” (ananda is Sanskrit for bliss). It promotes feelings of well being and reduces feelings of depression and anxiety. CBD also helps regulate your immune response and pain perception.

By creating a more stable mental and physical environment, CBD can help you access the spaciousness necessary to tune in to your body, notice your thoughts, ground your energy and ultimately do what is right for you.

Grounded TONIC for Your Grounding Practice

Grounded is our highest dose tincture with 1500mg CBD per 30mL bottle. It is also our only whole flower extract, sporting a darker color and earthier taste than our distillate-based blends. Whole plant hemp extracts retain more of the naturally occurring therapeutic compounds of the plant and is a truer reflection of the cannabis plant in its natural state.

We created Grounded as a product that could deeply nourish your Endocannabinoid System, providing calm, soothing balance while also connecting you more directly with nature. Grounded TONIC can be thought of like wine, each year’s harvest yielding a slightly different profile reflective of the growing conditions on the farm during that season. It is promoting a connection between body and mind, but also a connection to the source of your healing and a connection to your true Nature.

Grounding Techniques to Get You Started

Reach for your Grounded TONIC and drop .5mL-1mL under your tongue (1mL at night or when anxiety or pain is running high; .5mL for daytime balance and light stress relief) and hold it there for at least 30 seconds. During that 30 seconds, take deep breaths through your nose counting up to 3 on the inhale and down from 3 on the exhale. Do that 5 times, swallow your Dose and try one of these practices:

Walking meditation is a great form of grounding, especially if you are one of those people who have a hard time sitting still.

Simply take a walk outside, but instead of getting lost in the world inside your head, tune into the world outside of your head. Notice the support of the Earth under your feet with each step, take a moment to appreciate the trees you pass by and reflect on the way the warm breeze ruffles the leaves while the strong roots and sturdy trunk remain unwavering. How does the sun feel on your skin? What noises do you hear?

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique to get out of your head and bring your awareness to your senses.

Immerse yourself in your present setting and name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.

This technique, as well as the walking meditation, are all about connecting to what you’re experiencing physically and bringing your awareness to the present moment. This means your mind and body are on the same page, working in harmony.

Work with Your Hands (bonus points if you get your hands dirty with actual dirt)

Ever hear the saying “idle hands are the devil’s playground?” It is so true. When we are keeping busy, we are usually focused on the task at hand aka grounded in the present moment. When we are left alone with nothing but our thoughts, our thoughts can take us to some crazy places. Staying present in the work you are doing helps you put that anchor down once again and access a really amazing flow state, which is the trademark sign of mind-body alignment.

Now What?

Now that you are tuned in, connected and grounded, how do you feel? What do you really need? Is it different than what you thought when you were disconnected? Keep this practice going. Keep asking yourself these questions and you will continue on a path of self care that is right for you.