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https://docs.google.com/document/d/16_XtFXcdPTqIQe6qBWuyHsCk0NV3Qc8EhjNlztRo5Ok/edit?usp=drivesdk

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Here’s a Peer Support Grounding Guide you can use as a handout or reference during meetings. It includes techniques for both self-grounding (as a supporter) and helping others (peers in distress).

Peer Support Grounding Guide

A simple guide to staying present and helping others do the same.

1. Self-Grounding (For Peer Supporters)

Before, during, or after meetings, use these techniques to stay centered:

✅ 5-4-3-2-1 Method

5 things you can see

4 things you can touch

3 things you can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

✅ Short Mental Breaks

Take deep breaths (inhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec, exhale 4 sec).

Focus on an object (pen, bracelet) and notice its texture.

Count backward from 100 in 7s.

✅ Positive Affirmations

"I am present. I am here to support."

"This moment will pass. I am grounded."

✅ After-Meeting Reset

Write 3 key takeaways instead of reprocessing everything.

Do a small, structured task (writing, making tea).

2. Grounding Others (Helping a Peer in Distress)

If someone is overwhelmed, anxious, or dissociating, try these:

✅ Guided 5-4-3-2-1

“Can you name five things you see?”

“What about four things you can touch?”

Go slowly and let them set the pace.

✅ Simple, Neutral Engagement

"Can you name three types of fruit?"

"What’s a song lyric or quote you like?"

✅ Routine Walkthrough

"Let’s imagine making tea. What’s the first step?"

✅ Safe Place Visualization

"Picture a place that makes you feel safe. What do you see and hear?"

3. Group-BasedGrounding

For moments when the whole group needs a reset:

✅ Interactive Listing

“Let’s each name one thing we learned today.”

✅ Quick Mental Challenge

“Everyone think of three words that describe today’s weather.”

✅ Mindful Object Focus

Pass around an object (stone, warm mug) and describe its feel.

Remember:

✔ It’s okay to pause and ground yourself.

✔ You don’t need to fix emotions—just help others feel safe in the present.

✔ Grounding takes practice—use what works best for you!

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Here are grounding techniques specifically for anxiety and stress, categorized to help in different situations:

Quick & Discreet Techniques (For Public or Social Situations)

1. 4-7-8 Breathing

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Method

3. Object Focus

4. Sips of Water

5. Feet on the Floor

Physical Grounding for Stress Release

6. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

7. Stretching or Walking

8. Temperature Shift

9. Shaking it Out

10. Barefoot Grounding

Mindfulness-Based Techniques (For Overwhelming Thoughts)

11. Name Categories

12. Counting Game

13. Describe Your Environment

14. Visualization

15. Mantra or Affirmation

Sensory Soothing Techniques (For Immediate Calmness)

16. Essential Oils or Scents

17. Soothing Touch

18. Soft Textures

19. Music Therapy

20. Humming or Singing

Creative & Expressive Techniques (For Emotional Release)

21. Doodling or Coloring

22. Journaling

23. Clay or Playdough

24. Writing a Letter

25. Dance or Movement

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When experiencing a panic attack, grounding techniques should focus on slowing breathing, engaging the senses, and redirecting thoughts. Here are some refined strategies:

Immediate Panic Attack Relief (Quick & Effective)

1. 4-7-8 Breathing

2. Name 5 Things

3. Hold Something Cold

4. Press Feet Into the Floor

5. Cup Hands & Breathe

Discreet Techniques (For Public or Social Settings)

6. Touch & Describe an Object

7. Silent 5-Second Scans

8. Count Something Specific

9. Trace Shapes on Palm

10. Affirmation Repetition

Physical Techniques (For Calming the Nervous System)

11. Tense & Release

12. Rocking or Swaying

13. Slow Sipping

14. Shake Out Stress

15. Hum a Tune

Cognitive Grounding (For Racing Thoughts)

16. Alphabet Game

17. Describe a Safe Place

18. Spell Words Backwards

19. Answer Simple Questions

20. List Your Routine

After the Panic Attack (Recovery & Reassurance)

21. Self-Compassion Check

22. Breathing Reset

23. Journaling Thoughts

24. Engage in Comfort

25. Move Gently

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In peer support settings, cognitive grounding techniques can help both yourself and the people you support stay present, especially if emotions run high or someone is feeling overwhelmed. Here are some tailored techniques:

1. Grounding for Yourself (as a Peer Supporter)

Pre-Meeting Preparation

Before a session, take a moment to focus on your breath or mentally list three things you're looking forward to in the day.

Have a small grounding object (a pen, bracelet, or textured item) to hold if needed.

During the Meeting

If a discussion becomes overwhelming, focus on a specific physical detail—like the feel of the chair, the weight of a pen, or a sound in the room.

Mentally repeat a simple phrase: "I am present, and I am here to listen."

After the Meeting

Reflect on three key takeaways rather than reprocessing everything.

Engage in a short structured task (writing notes, organizing, making tea) to shift your focus.

2. Grounding for Others (Supporting a Peer in Distress)

If someone is anxious, overwhelmed, or dissociating, gently guide them through cognitive grounding techniques:

5-4-3-2-1 Method (Softly Guided)

Ask: “Can you name five things you can see around you?”

Follow with: “What about four things you can touch?”

Move through the list at their pace.

Simple Logical Engagement

Ask about a neutral topic: “What’s your favorite book or movie?”

Suggest a category game: “Let’s name five types of fruit together.”

Routine Walkthrough

If they are struggling to stay present, guide them through a step-by-step mental process:

“Let’s imagine making a cup of tea. First, what do we do?”

Reciting & Repeating

Encourage repeating something structured:

A song lyric, a quote, or even spelling words backward.

“Can you say your name backward just for fun?”

Safe Place Visualization

If the person responds well to imagination, say:

“Picture your favorite place. What does it look like? What can you hear?”

3. Subtle Group-Based Grounding

For moments when the group needs grounding but not direct attention on an individual:

Interactive Listing

Ask: “Let’s each share one thing we’ve learned today.”

Quick Distraction Challenge

Play a short mental game: “Everyone think of three words that describe today’s weather.”

Mindful Object Focus

Pass around an object (a textured stone, a warm mug) and ask members to describe how it feels.

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5 Things You Can See: Observe your surroundings and identify five distinct items.

4 Things You Can Touch: Notice four objects you can feel, focusing on their texture and temperature.

3 Things You Can Hear: Listen for three different sounds, whether they're nearby or distant.

2 Things You Can Smell: Identify two distinct scents around you.

1 Thing You Can Taste: Recognize one taste in your mouth or take a sip of a beverage to engage this sense.

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Concentrate on your breath to promote relaxation:

Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of three.

Exhale gently through your mouth for a count of three.

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Engage your body to anchor yourself:

Touching Objects: Hold items like a stress ball or a textured fabric, noting their characteristics.

Walking: Take a short walk, paying attention to each step and how the ground feels beneath your feet.

Stretching: Perform gentle stretches, focusing on the sensations in your muscles.

These activities can divert attention from negative thoughts and promote a sense of stability.

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Utilize your senses to connect with your environment:

Savoring Food or Drink: Focus on the taste and texture of what you're consuming.

Listening to Music: Pay close attention to the lyrics or melody of a song.

Aromatherapy: Use scents like lavender or eucalyptus to promote relaxation.

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Counting Exercises : Count backward from 100 in sevens or recite a multiplication table.

Name Categories : List as many animals, colors, or types of fruit as you can.

Alphabet Game : Go through the alphabet and name a place, food, or object for each letter.

Describe Your Surroundings : Look around and describe things in detail as if explaining them to someone who can’t see them.

Spell Words Backward : Challenge yourself with simple words at first, then increase difficulty

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Emotional and sensory grounding techniques help bring you back to the present moment, especially when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected. They engage your senses and thoughts to create a sense of stability and calm.

These techniques focus on thoughts, feelings, and personal connections:

Affirmations : Repeat grounding statements like “I am safe. I am in control.”

Reassurance : Remind yourself that the feeling will pass and you have handled challenges before.

Visualization : Picture a safe or happy place in detail. Imagine the sights, sounds, and scents.

Emotion Labeling : Name what you're feeling ("I am feeling anxious, and that’s okay. It will pass.").

Gratitude Reflection : List things you are grateful for to shift focus from distress to positive aspects of life.

Connecting with Others : Call a trusted friend, support person, or engage in a peer support setting.

Journaling : Write down thoughts and emotions to externalize them and reduce their intensity.

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Breathwork & Meditation for Grounding and Emotional Balance

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Breathwork & Meditation for Grounding and Emotional Balance

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Both breathwork and meditation are powerful tools to regulate emotions, calm the nervous system, and enhance focus. They can be used together or separately, depending on your needs.

Breathing exercises help shift your body from stress (sympathetic nervous system) to calm (parasympathetic nervous system).

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4 Method) :

Great for stress relief and focus.

How to do it:

1. Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds.

2. Hold the breath for 4 seconds.

3. Exhale slowly through the mouth for 4 seconds.

4. Hold again for 4 seconds.

5. Repeat for 1-5 minutes.

4-7-8 Breathing :

Ideal for anxiety and sleep.

How to do it:

1. Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds.

2. Hold the breath for 7 seconds.

3. Exhale slowly through the mouth for 8 seconds.

4. Repeat for 4-5 cycles.

Diaphragmatic (Belly) Breathing :

Encourages full oxygen exchange and relaxation.

How to do it:

1. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly.

2. Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your belly (not chest).

3. Exhale slowly through pursed lips.

4. Continue for a few minutes.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana):

Balances energy and clears the mind.

How to do it:

1. Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through the left.

2. Close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through the right.

3. Inhale through the right, then close and exhale through the left.

4. Repeat for several cycles.

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Focus on actively involving your mind and body in a task to bring awareness back to the present. These methods can be especially helpful if you find distraction or structured activity soothing.

Talking & Social Interaction

Call or text a friend : Even a simple chat can bring you back to the present.

Describe your surroundings out loud to someone or to yourself.

Read something aloud—a book passage, poem, or positive affirmations.

Engage in a light conversation about a neutral topic (e.g., plans for the day, a favorite movie).

Writing & Expression : Journal your thoughts. Write at you're feeling without judgment.

Make a gratitude list—list three things you’re grateful for.

Write a letter (to yourself or someone else)—you don’t have to send it.

Create a to-do list—planning can bring structure and control.

Creative Activities : Doodle, sketch, or color. Focus on the motion of your hand.

Play an instrument or listen to music and pay attention to the rhythm.

Knit, crochet, or do another hands-on craft that requires concentration.

Solve a puzzle or play a simple game. Crossword, Sudoku, word search.

Physical Activity & Movement : Do a small chore. Fold laundry, wash dishes, or organize a drawer.

Walk around and name what you see. Focus on colors, shapes, or details.

Stretch or do light exercises. Yoga, jumping jacks, or dancing.

Engage in a repetitive task. Bead stringing, kneading dough, or stacking items.

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Cognitive grounding techniques help redirect your thoughts and focus, keeping your mind engaged in the present. These methods work well if you tend to overthink, feel overwhelmed, or experience racing thoughts.

Mental Distraction Techniques

5-4-3-2-1 Method (also sensory)

Name 5 things you see

Name 4 things you can touch

Name 3 things you hear

Name 2 things you smell

Name 1 thing you taste

List Categories

Name five animals, five cities, five types of flowers, etc.

Alphabet challenge: Think of a word for each letter in a category (e.g., A–Z foods).

Count Backwards

From 100 in sevens (100, 93, 86…)

From 50 in threes (50, 47, 44…)

Thought Redirection

Describe your surroundings in detail : focus on colors, objects, or the atmosphere.

Describe a routine step-by-step (e.g., how to make a cup of tea, brush your teeth).

Spell words backward or try spelling difficult words forward slowly.

Think of a positive memory and recall as many details as possible (who was there, what you felt, what it smelled like).

Logical & Problem-Solving Tasks

Do a puzzle or crossword, Sudoku, word search, or a math problem.

Recite song lyrics or a poem you know well.

Play a number or word game in your head (e.g., find words that rhyme, think of synonyms for a word).

Imagine a safe place and mentally "walk" through it, describing everything you see and feel.

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Peer Support Grounding Guide

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This method engages all five senses to anchor you in the present.

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Focus on an object (pen, bracelet) and notice its texture.

Count backward from 100 in 7s.

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"I am present. I am here to support."

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Write 3 key takeaways instead of reprocessing everything.

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Engage your body to anchor yourself

Touching Objects

Walking

Stretching

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Utilize your senses to connect with your environment:

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These cognitive tasks can interrupt spiraling thoughts and ground you in the present.

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Emotional and sensory grounding techniques help bring you back to the present moment, especially when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected. They engage your senses and thoughts to create a sense of stability and calm.

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10-Minute Guided Meditation to Let Go of Control | Find Peace and Acceptance

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10-Minute Guided Meditation to Let Go of Control | Find Peace and Acceptance

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https://youtu.be/LXYbjj3072Q?si=O6YHhQkf0iUD0mlW

Websites

Meditation

https://zenhabits.net/meditation-guide/

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https://youtu.be/lNpuUk55kuI?si=5P8W5qg38W9Qd7v1

Website

Mindfulness

https://mindfulness.com/mindful-living/mindfulness-a-beginners-guide

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15-Minute Guided Meditation for When You’re Feeling Tired | Recharge and Relax

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15-Minute Guided Meditation for When You’re Feeling Tired | Recharge and Relax

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https://youtu.be/87k_vHCeYzI?si=L-EEMzJYCdrTRWmF

Websites

Breathing Exercises (Wim-Hof Method)

https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises