Go Touch Grass

I’m sure you've heard it before, especially in these trying times, from your friends, family, and social media: "Go touch grass!" I've even said it a few times to clients (and to myself). For many, this eye-roll-inducing statement doesn’t solve the issue at hand. How could it? There is no tool, technique, or meditation that can undo the dismantling of our government or the future we thought we were building. We're all navigating a kind of anxious mourning, struggling to make sense of overwhelming emotions. So why do I still say it? Because it can help. Help, not solve.

Here are three reasons why I tell people (and remind myself) to “go touch grass!”

1. We’re Overstimulated by Technology
The constant bombardment of information from our phones and screens is more than our brains are designed to handle. Many of us have heard the claim that the data we consume in a single day is equivalent to what a person in the 15th century would experience in an entire lifetime. While that might not be scientifically exact, we can't deny the fact that the amount of information we're exposed to daily has exponentially increased, even in just the past century. The reality is that our brains struggle to process it all, which leads to chronic overstimulation or complete mental shutdown. So when I tell my clients to “go touch grass,” I’m encouraging them to step away from the constant flood of information and engage in something real. Take a break from media, phones, and endless streams of content—go do something that grounds you in the present moment.

2. Mindfulness Through Tangible Actions
When you step away from the digital noise and engage with something real, your mind is forced to focus. This is what we call mindfulness, and it’s a powerful tool to help you feel more connected, present, and focused. For those of us with ADHD, mindfulness can be especially helpful in training our brains to focus on one thing at a time. It takes practice, of course—our minds are naturally wired for anxiety—but that's a topic for another post. When you’re mindful and engaged with something tangible, you reconnect with what you can control, which is key for managing anxiety. Anxiety thrives on the fear of losing control. By knowing what’s within your sphere of influence and focusing on it, you can reduce that sense of helplessness. To do this, you need to be grounded, engaged, and connected with real world things and activities. So, go touch grass.

3. The Power of Nature
No, literally. Go outside and touch the grass. Connecting with nature is an essential part of my therapy practice, and study after study has shown the mental and physical health benefits of being in nature. Spend time outdoors, feel the sun on your skin, and listen to the birds chirping. Nature offers a unique kind of grounding that helps us reconnect with the earth, which we are intrinsically part of. We come from the earth, and eventually, we will return to it, making this connection vital to our sense of contentment and wellbeing. Winter isn’t an excuse to stay inside. One of my favorite activities is going on snow walks, where I bundle up and take a mindful stroll through the snow. You can hear and feel the stillness, especially during the first snowfall of the season.

So, whenever you feel overwhelmed by everything happening around you these days, go do something real to force your brain to engage, even better when it’s with nature. In essence, remind yourself: go touch grass.