Feeling Grounded through Stroke Recovery

There has been a lot of uncertainty in our lives through the past year. With the ongoing changes, sometimes it is hard to know what the next week or month may look like. Making plans is something that looks completely different, as we are often uncertain if those plans will even be possible.

Stroke recovery is also filled with uncertainty. With this abrupt change, our work lives shift, home life looks different, and even the social life isn’t the same. While the changes are made, that uncertainty comes with questions.

What will my life look like next year?  Will I ever be able to do that again? How long will it be like this?

Being in this space as a stroke survivor, everything feels new, unfamiliar, and maybe even intimidating. Uncertainty can build anxiety, stress and worry into our days, which can often have a snowball effect and lead to days filled with questioning thoughts and racing minds. 

Working towards a sense of feeling grounded is one thing we can do to feel more stability through this uncertainty. There are many resources and tools within mindfulness and meditation that can help support building stability and releasing uncertainty.

One thing I always begin with, is bringing your attention to your breath. When you notice the feeling of uncertainty within your body, mindfully choose to focus on your breath. It is one thing within you that will always be there, so you will always have that point of focus. You can focus on the flow of the breath through your body or count through 5 breaths, continuing for as long as you’d like.

Another thing that helps create a sense of being grounding is spending time outdoors. Feeling the sunshine against your skin, smelling the fresh air within the breeze, and hearing the activity of nature around you are all ways to connect with nature. 

It is noteworthy that feeling grounded and stable is something that can be found outdoors with the ground. Connecting to the stability of the Earth below you, while focusing on your breath, is an excellent way to open yourself to the feeling of being grounded.

If you would like some support or assistance in finding a good mindfulness practice to bring you a sense of feeling grounded – I’d love to hear from you and join you on this journey. 

Ashley ?

Ashley is a Yoga instructor and a Stroke Survivor. She was drawn to become a yoga teacher after having the yoga practice be a valuable part of the physical and spiritual journey through stroke recovery. She helps fellow Stroke Warriors feel empowered, build inner strength, and embrace individuality in this moment.