Grounding and Protection Activities: What they are and how they can help

These can help a person feel more grounded, connected and spiritually safe in their environment. They can also be a valuable part of your morning – or bedtime – routine.

When are these used?

Grounding and protection practices are both suitable for any situation where you’re feeling overwhelmed, but can be particularly useful:

• going into a new environment, especially an event where there will be people engaging in spiritual / spiritualist practices or rituals (like an MBS event);
• before engaging in a meditation activity, especially one where you plan to set an intention or request insight, guidance or wisdom;
• reading (or receiving a reading) of the tarot, oracle cards or any other type of divination practice;
• as part of your bedtime / morning routine
• around the time of a Full Moon

What is the difference?

Grounding can be used specifically where you’re feeling lightheaded, agitated or overwhelmed. Sometimes the energy of a place can lead to these feelings (think: noisy, busy supermarket or crowded train station) though of course if this is happening regularly, you may wish to have a chat with your doctor.

Protection is used more for spiritual practices though again some people use them to feel spiritually safe in certain spaces. Say for example there’s a particularly toxic environment at work, or drama you don’t want to be drawn into, you might use both a grounding and protection activity simply because it helps you feel better.

Both of these are particularly useful if you are susceptible or easily affected by other people’s energy (eg. would describe yourself as an Empath). Some people may also choose to do these before they go to bed, especially if they are prone to nightmares.

Remember, everyone is different so what works for one person, might not for another. If ever you’re in any doubt about engaging in this type of activity, speak to your healthcare team.

Example Activities

You can do one or both of these practices at the same time, whatever feels right for you.

Grounding activity: These practices are often done in meditation through visualisation, however if you’d like a way to feel grounded without that, you could try walking barefoot in your environment; this is also known as “earthing” and is believed to be an ancient wellness practice.

This is done preferably in nature, like on cut green grass, where it’s safe (eg. no glass or sharp stones) though walking around your living space without shoes and socks can also feel good. You may also choose to invest in some crystals that can help with this type of activity. Some recommend smoky quartz, tigers eye and selenite, but do some research to find what might work for you and always check (eg. the quality and are ethically sourced) before you invest.

Grounding Practice: If you’d like to try a meditation, you could try this (audio coming soon): when you’re ready, make yourself comfortable and allow yourself to settle in to the space you’re occupying right now, giving yourself permission to relax.

If it feels safe to do so, close your eyes and take a few moments to sit and “be”. As you do this, you might notice distractions in your environment or that your mind becomes busier – this is normal. Simply notice these distractions (as long they are not urgent), and maintain a focus on being here, in this moment.

If it feels helpful, you could then turn your attention towards your feet and imagine roots coming from the soles of your feet as if they were planted safely on the ground. These roots help you feel grounded and connected to the space around you and by extension to the Earth / Universe / Cosmos.

As you do this, you might adjust your posture, if you can, so that you’re sitting tall and upright like a tree. You might visualise the roots of the tree going deep into the earth helping you feel anchored into this moment, strong and capable.

You could accompany this with some deep breaths as you visualise the roots along with affirmations, such as:

• I am grounded in this moment
• I am deeply rooted and connected to the Earth / Universe
• I feel safe and protected in this spiritual practice

If you want to, you can end the meditation here (and if you prefer, imagine the roots slowly disappearing if that feels helpful; whatever feels healthy for you.) When you’re ready very gently open your eyes and carry on with your day, or you can continue with the protection activity below.

Protection Practice: This activity can be used going into a situation where you might feel uncomfortable or as part of your morning or bedtime practice to last throughout the day; the activity itself should only take a few moments.

If it feels useful, take a moment to visualise yourself surrounded by a beautiful white / golden protective light, as if completely enveloped in an egg-shaped dome. If you’re old enough to remember a “Ready-Brek Glow” then this is a similar idea or you could imagine yourself wearing a golden protective cloak. You might also visualise “negative” energy “bouncing” off or being absorbed by the light and evaporating (so it doesn’t harm anyone else). You can also simply ask whoever you may pray to or make requests from (eg. if you connect with Spirit), to be surrounded by loving light and protection as you go about your business.

You can do this as you feel is needed but try not to become overwhelmed by a practice that’s meant to help you feel better. Again, only do these if they feel right for you.

It’s important to say, that these practices are designed to help you feel more at ease. As I’ve talked about before, I don’t believe there is anything to be afraid of from a spiritual realm, it’s the living that can be scary rather than the dead.

Having said that, many people are affected by other people’s energy and so these practices may be useful with that in mind. Remember these are a spiritual practice of protection, not a physical one. Stay safe and look after yourself in ways that are sensible.

© Delphi Ellis 2023