Posting this as a reminder for myself too as my hands shake from a big whopping anxiety attack out of no where. 

I read somewhere that cold showers stimulate the vagus nerve (science, baby) and at first I was like, no thanks satan. 

Next thing I know I’m crying in the shower and start to gradually turn the water colder and colder, letting it rinse over my whole body as I slowly adjust and calm my breathing. 

Soon it’s freezing cold and I let it go over my head, that shock and gasp reminding me to breathe even deeper. That shiver reminding me of my body’s existence. 

After a few minutes of feeling it wash over me as I lift my arms, stretch my neck, I slowly turn it back to warm before giving myself a mental hug and getting out. 

I’m sure a lot of you already do this, but sometimes it’s just that tiny thing that helps get you through to the next moment when coping feels impossible. What are some of your favorite ways to ground yourself?