What do you smell right now?
...
...
Well... what is it? I'm curious. I mean, really, how grounded are you???
Grounding is a practice that can help people who struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, stress, depression, PTSD, flashbacks, unwanted memories, negative or challenging emotions, among other things.
Grounding techniques are exercises that may help you refocus on the present moment and overcome the unwanted feelings, emotions or symptoms. They help you 'be where you are.' (https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques#mental-techniques).
One particular grounding technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
Working backward from 5, you use your senses to name things you notice around you. For example, you might start by listing:
- 5 things you see
- 4 things you can touch from where you're sitting
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
I utilize this technique sometimes when I'm feeling anxious (and can remember to do it). It usually helps.
The other day, though, I was doing this and realized that I don't smell very well. Not that I stunk (at least not at that moment), but it occurred to me I generally just skip this part because I have difficulty smelling odors.
I mean, sure, I can smell stinky garbage, body odor, certain foods, perfume and such. However, to just randomly be sitting here and pick out smells... I can't do it.
So I don't know if I have smell trouble, if I'm simply not concentrating enough, or if this is common among others. What do you think: do you smell well?
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