A Grounding Exercise for Chronic Pain
Before reciting your positive affirmations, take 5-10 minutes to ground yourself and release any built-up energy from your nervous system. This helps ensure that your body is receptive to the affirmations.
Step 1: Grounding Exercise
• Find a Comfortable Spot: Sit or stand in a quiet place where you feel safe.
• Focus on Your Breath: Take a few deep breaths, focusing on a slow exhale. Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, and exhale for a count of 6. Repeat this for 1-2 minutes.
• Use Your Senses: Gently notice your surroundings. What do you hear? What do you see? Touch an object nearby and focus on its texture. This will help bring your nervous system into a more regulated state.
Step 2: Movement Exercise
• Shake It Out: Stand up and shake your arms, hands, legs, and torso for 30 seconds. Let your body naturally move in whatever way feels right.
• Gentle Stretches: Stretch your arms overhead, bend to each side, and stretch your legs. Focus on slow movements and deep breathing.
• Rhythmic Walking: If possible, take a short 2-minute walk, focusing on the rhythm of your steps and how your feet feel on the ground.
Step 3: Recite Your Affirmations
Now that your body feels more settled and grounded, recite your positive affirmations. Speak them slowly, and with each affirmation, take a moment to breathe deeply and let the words sink in.
This exercise would tie into your blog’s message by helping clients regulate their nervous system before attempting to use positive affirmations for chronic pain. It emphasizes both movement and grounding, which you’ve mentioned as key strategies. Would this work for your clients?
I regularly work with the following chronic symptoms: