Grounding & Re-Joy-venating: Winter Medicine for the Body, Heart & Spirit
By Jessica Bamford, Origin Song Wellness

“Stay grounded.”
“Get yourself grounded.”
“That person is so grounded.”
We hear it all the time—but what does grounded actually mean?

As we step into winter’s quiet invitation—a season of reflection, renewal, and re-joy-venation—I want to explore grounding not as a buzzword, but as a living practice that can support us through the festive swirl of December. I want us all to feel grounded in the same way that the roots of an ancient tree feels grounded; held, embraced and supported by the loving embrace of Mother Earth.

And don’t worry… I’m not about to throw a dozen scientific studies at you to “prove” something our ancestors have always known. I love a good nerdy science moment now and then, but I was taught to reference my own experience first, before adopting what they say as my truth.

Because truly, there is no single “THE truth.”
There is my truth and your truth—and we meet one another there.

and so to start, I want to ask you:

What does grounding mean to you?

What does it feel like in your body, your heart, your breath?

If you really want to become a grounded person, start at your center—your own lived experience—rather than referencing outward to find what you believe. (Most of us were trained out of this early on. In school we’re told to “prove” everything by citing others. We’re literally taught to override our inner knowing!)

Grounding, then, begins with coming home to yourself.

So now that we have started at the center, I'd like to explore grounding through the lens of the medicine wheel as it was taught to me by Wanmbli Chante Winan, with full respect for the many beautiful teachings that exist (there are so many medicine wheels!). This is just one thread in a vast tapestry.

West — Emotions, Ancestors, Relationships

In the West, grounding is about finding stability in our emotional world and in our relationships—both living and ancestral.

It’s the ability to find purchase, stand our ground and stay rooted when big feelings move through, rather than becoming “waterlogged.” It’s allowing emotion to flow down and out, into the earth—or through tears, breath, movement—so it doesn’t stagnate inside.

It’s also about knowing where you come from.
Knowing the land that holds you.
Re-rooting into right relationship—with yourself, with others, with your lineage.

North — Spirit, Communion with the Divine

From the North, we look at grounding in terms of how fully our spirit resides in our body.

Are you in there?
Or half-out, or hovering somewhere beyond reach?

Sometimes we “pop out” from overwhelm, and sometimes—after deep shock or trauma—we experience soul fragmentation*.

Either way, if we want to be present in our bodies and with our loved ones instead of being "beside ourselves" we need to release the source of the pain and discomfort that has been driving us out of our bodies. Be brave, go into the pain for a moment and allow yourself to feel it instead of trying to avoid it. So often when I guide someone into their pain—with gentleness, curiosity, and breath—the pain softens when it receives full attention. We can then return to presence and to our connection with the divine.

East — The Mind: Attention, Clarity, Vision

In the East, grounding is a matter of mental focus.

Where is your attention?
Are you level-headed, or floating in the clouds?
Are your kids asking you to put down your phone and actually look at them? (Ahem… me too.)

And listen—there’s nothing wrong with the liminal, imaginative space where inspiration strikes. That’s where art, ideas, and creation happen.

But when your mind becomes scattered—lists, to-dos, constant digital stimulation—it’s time to gather yourself back into the present moment. Refocus, plan, envision. The mind is powerful medicine when directed with intention.

South — The Body: Physical Embodiment, Sensation, Grounded Action

This is where grounding literally lands.

Our bodies are the earth element of our being. When we feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or physically trapped, our spirit can lift out or fragment off. Psychology calls this dissociation; traditional teachings call it soul fragmentation*.

Sometimes this numbing response is what gets us through a moment, a survival instinct deeply rooted in our body's innate wisdom. But long term, grounding means slowly, gently returning to your physical self—your sensations, breath, movements, environment.

When spirit fully arrives into the earth-suit (or “birthday suit” as Grandpa Wallace Black Elk would say), we become connected, present, embodied.

This is when we are able to deeply listen to our bodies and our loved ones, deeply perceive our environments and deeply nourish ourselves and relationships.

Grounding as Daily Renewal

Healing deeper wounds can take time, but grounding itself is a practice we can nourish every day—especially during the hectic winter season when many of us are running on empty.

Here are 5 simple grounding practices you can try today:

1. Walk barefoot on the earth.
(Earthing is now scientifically validated to reduce inflammation and improve wellbeing—gotta love when science circles back to ancient knowing.)

2. Let yourself feel your feelings.
Cry in the shower, rage into a pillow, shake it out. Better out than in.

3. Use the 5-4-3-2-1 presence practice. Take a moment to notice:
5 things you see
4 things you can touch
3 things you hear
2 things you smell
1 thing you can taste

4. Breathe.
An adopted favourite of mine: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6 while saying, “I am at peace.” (credit to Aviva Romm!)

5. Put down your phone and be with someone you love.
Even 30 minutes of presence can restore your entire system.

Grounding brings us back to ourselves.
Back to centre.
Back to life.

And isn’t that the heart of this season?
A return of the sun. A renewal of self. And re-joy-venation through celebration.

Now go! Sink into your roots, be with your self and your loved ones. The Earth is holding you and the ancestors are with you.

I am so grateful for your presence- for the gift of you!!

Jessica Bamford