You are Grounded!

Local Kirkland couple doing yoga together on a summer night

 Parents ground their children not just as a punishment, rather as a way to get them to focus back on the important things that they have possibly been neglecting; such as homework, family time or chores. You probably thought you had immunity from this this kind of punishment once you turned 18, only to realize it’s a valuable concept to practice as a grown up as well.

What a summer we are having in Seattle! We’ve broken multiple records including warmest average temperature for June- 78.9 degrees! If you tune in to the local chatter around you, or simply scroll through your facebook feed it seems like everyone is at an outdoor wedding, on a boat or enjoying happy hour each and every day. This incredible weather is constantly knocking on our door, whispering “Now is the time to live it up. Come November, you will miss me.” So we go meet our friends at the local joint for an ice cold beer, instead of vacuuming or chopping this weeks vegetables. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt like I lived the entire summer in just one month, until this year. I’ve been rallying, in full trust that the weather would soon turn and I would have the chance to get back into routine.  Then I look at my weather app and see blue skies and sunshine for days, and I realize that it’s up to me to schedule a rainy day, or at least a few rainy hours.

A part of your health program is figuring out what balance looks like for you and your family. Being grounded could mean so many things, including the idea that you prioritize your physical and emotional balance. A few grounding activities could include; organizing your week on the family calendar, meditating for 10 minutes each morning, or maybe just making a home cooked meal and lighting a candle (Or in current cases, turning on a fan!). You could think of grounding as a way to connect with your goals, values and/or intentions. Fun is absolutely an important part of life, however too much fun can pull you out of routine and away from your core values.

A mid summer challenge: Start by naming your top values in life and then list the top 3-5 activities that allow you to invest and further connect with those values. Each week, prioritize these activities at whatever frequency you need them. Perhaps this will guide you while replying to the invitations sitting in your inbox. Your friends and family will support you in saying “no” to them, because instead you are choosing to say “Yes!” to yourself. 

Additionally, each morning consider this question, “What can I do today that I will thank myself for tomorrow”.

Continue to have your fun, but stay grounded too!