Finding Your Own "Grass" to Touch When You Need It

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and find more joy in life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Sitting at my desk, I felt a deepening sense of dread and sadness. I had caught up on my LinkedIn messages, but not before ingesting post after post about job loss, long-term unemployment, and how generative artificial intelligence is going to eat all the jobs in my line of work. The fear and anxiety seemed to project onto me from the screen.

In addition, we recently started hospice for my father, whose health is exceedingly frail, so I’ve been spending much of my free time at his care facility. And I was a little overwhelmed by my own “to do” list while also feeling some financial stress from a couple of overdue payments. My breath was shallow, and my stomach felt a little queasy.

I needed to touch grass.

You probably know that the term “touch grass” has become popular in recent years. It simply means, “Get out from behind your screens and get into nature.”

The Water's Way

I don’t consider myself the “outdoorsy” type. I did one hard-core back-country camping trip through Glacier National Park when I was in my 20s. I decided that I like my creature comforts more than hoisting a food pack up into a tree to avoid attracting grizzly bears while my friends and I slept. But getting outside, especially in a forest or near water, does have a healing effect. A pair of small studies out of the University of California, Davis found that simply looking at bodies of water, whether the ocean, a lake, or even a swimming pool, can reduce blood pressure and increase feelings of relaxation.

For me, “touching grass” is about getting near water. Since I’m fortunate enough to live a short drive from the ocean, I can avail myself of the soothing sound of waves crashing and the serene expanse of blue relatively easily. I grabbed a notebook and pen, hopped into my car, and headed to the water’s edge.

At first, I took a few minutes to focus on my breath, doing some 4-7-8 exercises. Once I felt calmer, I took a few more minutes to just stare at the beauty in front of me.

Once I felt calm, I pulled out the notebook and did two more things that help me when I feel the way I did. I began to pour out all of the things that were troubling me, unfiltered. I used the notebook as a receptacle for my feelings. While I typically think about the structure and impact of each word and sentence, I took no such care. This exercise was just to get out the “muck.”

Once I did that, I turned the page and started making lists to “control the controllables.” What action could I take? What could I not control? The first list included action steps to help me keep track of the things I could do to alleviate the stress. The second list gave me fodder to think about—how could I either let go of these things that I could not control or find a way to compartmentalize them so they didn’t drain me so much?

Finding What Works

It took me years to figure out the triage I need to feel better when everything around me is getting the better of me: get near water, profess to the page, organize and release. But that’s not a prescription for everyone—and it may not work for you. For some people, this approach would create more anxiety and pain. But I think it’s worth exploring the tools that are available—from exercise to connecting with a trusted loved one to therapy and medication. And regularly check in with yourself to recognize when you need them.

Do you have triage techniques for when you’re feeling sad and overwhelmed? I’d love to hear about them. I will compile more for a future newsletter. Let’s help people find new ways to feel better. Send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Bloom Drops

Getting help: If you are chronically feeling sad, depressed, or like you may harm yourself, please tell a loved one, doctor, or call or text the Crisis Text Line: Simply text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live crisis counselor. (They’re there for you if you’re feeling lonely, too.)