6 Sensual Practices to Help You Feel More Grounded

We’ve talked before about how stress can affect our sex lives, but when it feels like there’s no end in sight, what can we do to manage it? Well, today we’ve got six simple practices that can help you feel more grounded, ease anxiety, and get you out of your head and into your body. Use them to unwind before bed, to break the cycle of endless scrolling, or even as a way to get in the mood—however you want! The choice is yours.

1. Apply Your Favorite Lotion or Oil
   This one’s easy and might already be part of your routine. But here’s the difference: instead of just rushing through it, take a moment to really enjoy the experience. Pay attention to how your hands feel as they caress your skin. Breathe in the scent of your lotion or oil and feel how your skin reacts to the moisture.
2. Give Yourself a Massage
   It might not be a professional massage, but it’s still a great way to relax and ground yourself. Start by massaging your hands, focusing on the area between your thumb and forefinger. Work your way up your arms and shoulders, then treat your feet to a much-deserved rub. You can even work your way up your legs (and if things get steamy, no judgment!). For those hard-to-reach spots on your back, try using a Thera Cane. It may look a bit like a sex toy, but its intended purpose is just as magical, we promise.
3. Take a Bath or Shower
   This is another activity that might already be part of your day. To make it more grounding, though, slow down and really focus on how it feels. Feel the warm (or cool) water on your skin, listen to the sound of it, and notice how your shampoo smells as you lather. If your mind starts to wander, gently guide it back to the physical sensations.
4. Walk Barefoot Outside
   If you have the chance, walking barefoot outside is a great grounding practice. Take your shoes off and feel the surface beneath your feet—is it hard, soft, or maybe prickly? Is the ground warm or cool? Switch things up and walk on different surfaces. If you can’t get outside, walking barefoot at home or in a park can still provide the same experience.
5. Lay on the Ground
   If you can, take this one outside to connect with the earth, but it works indoors too. Lie down and really focus on how it feels to be fully supported by the surface beneath you, whether it’s grass, dirt, or the floor of your living room.
6. Count Sensations
   This exercise can be done anytime, anywhere. Start by identifying three things you can hear—maybe car horns, the wind in the trees, or the hum of a refrigerator. Next, focus on three things you can feel, like the fabric of your clothes or the air on your skin. Then find three things you can see, and finally, three things you can smell. The goal isn’t to rush through the list, but to really focus on each sensation as it comes.

By practicing these grounding techniques, you can help reduce stress and become more present in the moment—whenever and wherever you need it.