Anxiety
Somatic Grounding Technique Menu and Effectiveness Log
This tool helps a client systematically test and identify the most effective grounding techniques.
Many clients know about grounding techniques, but when an anxiety spike hits, they either forget them or find the usual suggestions ineffective. A technique that fails in a critical moment can increase the client’s sense of helplessness, making them less likely to try again. The core problem is not a lack of options, but the lack of a tested, personalized plan for what actually works for their system.
This log formalizes the trial-and-error process, guiding the client to systematically identify which somatic methods are most settling for them. Instead of fumbling for a strategy during a crisis, the client builds a reliable, pre-approved menu of their own go-to techniques. They finish with a concrete shortlist of actions they can trust to de-escalate their physical anxiety.
Somatic Grounding Technique Menu and Effectiveness Log
When anxiety is high, use this log to test different physical grounding techniques. The purpose is to identify which ones are most effective for you.
Here is a menu of techniques to try. Place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Press your feet firmly into the floor. Hold a piece of ice. Run cool water over your wrists. Tense and then release a muscle group, like your fists or calves. Slowly chew something with a strong flavor. Trace the outline of your hand with a finger from your other hand. Notice and name three different textures you can touch right now.
When you feel a spike in anxiety, follow these steps. In the log, note the date and time. Rate the anxiety’s intensity from 1 (low) to 10 (high). Choose one technique from the menu and perform it for 60 seconds. After, rate your anxiety again on the same 1-10 scale. Record the new rating and a brief note about the effect in the final column.
| Date/Time | Anxiety Before (1-10) | Technique Used | Anxiety After (1-10) & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Generated with Rapport7 — rapport7.com