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Emma McAdam

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety in their life, and for some people, traumatic experiences take that stress and anxiety to an even higher level in the form of PTSD or Panic Attacks.

In this course, I teach you how to turn on your body's natural calming response, the parasympathetic response, and train your mind and body to calm down, relax, and turn on the "rest, digest, and heal" response.

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Everyone experiences stress and anxiety in their life, and for some people, traumatic experiences take that stress and anxiety to an even higher level in the form of PTSD or Panic Attacks.

In this course, I teach you how to turn on your body's natural calming response, the parasympathetic response, and train your mind and body to calm down, relax, and turn on the "rest, digest, and heal" response.

The Stress and Anxiety response is a natural reaction to danger and it shows up in our Body through the Fight, Flight, Freeze Response. You feel your stomach go tight, hands cold and sweaty, your heart starts beating faster and your body tenses up. This is your nervous system preparing you to fight off physical danger. But this reaction isn't helpful when you're having problems in your work, school, relationships or if you're struggling with chronic stress or anxiety.  When that reaction is severe, you may develop PTSD, Panic Disorder or Anxiety disorders.

In this course you'll learn:

  • How your stress response works

  • How to turn on the calming part of your nervous system (the parasympathetic response)

  • Over 20 easy activities to turn on calm

  • Essential skills for managing Stress, Anxiety, PTSD and Panic Attacks

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What's inside

Syllabus

Understand the importance of working with their personal medical provider for personal treatment information
Disclaimer
Grounding Course Intro
Introduction to Grounding Activities for PTSD, Anxiety and Stress
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers over 20 practical activities designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, providing a diverse toolkit for calming the mind and body
Explores the fight, flight, freeze response, which is a foundational concept for understanding the body's reaction to stress and anxiety
Teaches skills in self-regulation, such as diaphragm breathing and softening the gaze, which are techniques used in therapeutic settings
Requires learners to acknowledge the importance of consulting with their personal medical provider for individualized treatment information and guidance
Includes activities like 'Safe Place Activity' and 'Drawing Safety,' which are commonly used techniques in trauma-informed care and therapy

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Reviews summary

Practical grounding skills for calm

According to learners, this course provides practical and effective grounding techniques to manage stress, anxiety, panic, and PTSD symptoms. Students widely report that the exercises taught are easy to follow and can be immediately applied in real-life situations. Many find the instructor's approach calm and soothing, which is particularly helpful given the sensitive subject matter. While the course offers a solid foundation in grounding and self-regulation, some reviewers suggest it serves as a starting point, and further professional guidance might be needed for more complex or severe cases, aligning with the course's initial disclaimer.
Good starting point, not a complete cure.
"This course is a great introduction to grounding techniques, but it's not a substitute for therapy or medical advice."
"It gave me a solid foundation, but I understand that deep-seated trauma might require professional help alongside these tools."
"As mentioned in the disclaimer, these skills are helpful but are best used in conjunction with other treatments if needed."
"Good for learning initial coping mechanisms, likely need more for severe, chronic issues."
Content is easy to understand & follow.
"The course is structured clearly, with bite-sized modules that make it easy to absorb the information."
"I liked how the concepts were explained simply without overly technical jargon. Very accessible."
"Everything was presented in a straightforward way, making it easy to follow along and practice the skills."
"It's concise and gets straight to the point, which is great when dealing with difficult emotions."
Instructor's style is soothing & helpful.
"The instructor's calm voice and gentle guidance made me feel safe and relaxed throughout the lessons."
"His approach is very reassuring. It's clear he understands the struggles associated with these conditions."
"I appreciate the instructor's calm and knowledgeable presentation. It made complex topics easy to grasp."
"The soothing delivery really helped me engage with the material without feeling triggered."
Develops skills for nervous system calm.
"Understanding the fight, flight, freeze response and how to activate my parasympathetic system was a game changer."
"The course helped me learn how to self-regulate and calm my nervous system when stress levels rise."
"I feel more in control of my body's reaction to stress after practicing the self-regulation techniques."
"It taught me tangible ways to switch on my body's natural calming response."
Learn exercises for immediate relief.
"I found the techniques very practical and easy to implement when I felt myself getting overwhelmed. They really work!"
"The exercises provided are simple yet incredibly effective. I can use them anywhere, anytime I feel anxious."
"The grounding activities like the 5 senses and square breathing are skills I use daily now."
"This course gave me tools I can actually use right away to manage my anxiety spikes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Grounding Skills for PTSD, Stress, Panic and Anxiety with these activities:
Review the Autonomic Nervous System
Reviewing the basics of the autonomic nervous system will help you better understand the physiological basis of stress, anxiety, and grounding techniques.
Browse courses on Autonomic Nervous System
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining the autonomic nervous system.
  • Create a diagram illustrating the two branches and their functions.
  • Summarize the key differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.
Read 'Declutter Your Mind'
Reading this book will help you develop strategies for managing negative thoughts and reducing anxiety, complementing the grounding techniques learned in the course.
View Declutter Your Mind on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read a chapter each week.
  • Practice the techniques described in the book.
  • Reflect on how the techniques impact your thoughts and feelings.
Practice Grounding with a Partner
Practicing with a partner will provide valuable feedback and support in developing your grounding skills.
Show steps
  • Find a friend or family member who is also interested in grounding techniques.
  • Take turns guiding each other through different grounding exercises.
  • Provide constructive feedback on each other's technique.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Square Breathing Daily
Practicing square breathing regularly will help you develop a consistent grounding technique for managing anxiety and stress.
Show steps
  • Set a timer for 5-10 minutes each day.
  • Follow the square breathing technique: inhale, hold, exhale, hold, each for 4 seconds.
  • Focus on your breath and any sensations in your body.
Develop a Personal Grounding Plan
Developing a personal grounding plan will help you proactively manage stress and anxiety by identifying specific techniques and triggers.
Show steps
  • Identify your personal stress and anxiety triggers.
  • List grounding techniques that you find effective.
  • Create a plan for using these techniques when you experience triggers.
  • Practice your plan regularly.
Read 'The Body Keeps the Score'
Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the neurobiological effects of trauma and the importance of grounding techniques in healing.
Show steps
  • Read a chapter each week.
  • Take notes on key concepts and insights.
  • Reflect on how the information relates to your own experiences or understanding of trauma.
Create a Grounding Techniques Guide
Creating a personalized guide will help you consolidate your knowledge of grounding techniques and identify the ones that work best for you.
Show steps
  • List all the grounding techniques covered in the course.
  • Describe each technique in your own words.
  • Note when and where each technique is most effective for you.
  • Add visuals or diagrams to enhance your guide.

Career center

Learners who complete Grounding Skills for PTSD, Stress, Panic and Anxiety will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Crisis Counselor
A Crisis Counselor provides immediate support and intervention to individuals experiencing acute emotional distress. This often involves de-escalation techniques, active listening, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources. The grounding skills taught in this course may prove invaluable for helping clients to manage overwhelming emotions and regain a sense of control during a crisis. Specifically, the sections on grounding with 5 senses, breath counting, and posture, paired with activities like progressive muscle relaxation, drawing safety, or finding a personal safe place may be most helpful. A crisis counselor encountering individuals with PTSD, panic, or anxiety may find that this course helps build a foundation for their practice.
School Counselor
School counselors provide support to students facing academic, emotional, and social challenges. This course, which provides grounding skills for managing stress, anxiety, and panic, equips school counselors with practical techniques to help students regulate their emotions and cope with difficult situations. The bonus video on school and social anxiety might be especially relevant, as would the activities involving grounding with 5 senses, breathing activities, and progressive muscle relaxation. School counselors may find it helpful to take this course to help improve their skills.
Psychiatric Technician
Psychiatric Technicians assist in the care and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders, often in inpatient settings. A key aspect of this role is helping patients manage acute anxiety or distress. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may be useful for equipping psychiatric technicians with practical tools to support patients. The course's content on the fight/flight/freeze response and differentiating between perceived danger and actual safety helps build a foundation for technicians to understand the physiological and psychological aspects of anxiety. Those who aim to become psychiatric technicians may find this course helpful.
Life Coach
Life Coaches empower clients to achieve their personal and professional goals by providing guidance and support. Many individuals seek life coaching to overcome anxiety and stress that hinder their progress. The grounding skills taught in this course, such as breathwork, progressive muscle relaxation, and sensory awareness exercises, may prove invaluable for helping clients manage these challenges and build resilience. The course content on the parasympathetic response and self regulation techniques forms a solid foundation for coaches who work with clients experiencing anxiety and stress. Individuals seeking a career as a life coach may find this course valuable.
Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselors support individuals recovering from addiction, many of whom also struggle with co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety and PTSD. This course, with its focus on grounding techniques and managing stress responses, may provide valuable tools for substance abuse counselors to help clients cope with triggers, cravings, and emotional dysregulation. Understanding the body's stress response and learning activities to promote calm, like mindful breathing and body scans, might be very helpful. Substance abuse counselors may find it helpful to take this course to better serve their clients.
Meditation Teacher
Meditation Teachers guide individuals in mindfulness and meditation practices to promote relaxation, focus, and emotional well-being. This course, with its emphasis on grounding techniques and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, may prove invaluable for meditation teachers seeking to enhance their offerings. The course's inclusion of mindful breathing exercises and body scan activities directly complements meditation practices. Understanding the fight/flight/freeze response and the importance of grounding can deepen a meditation teacher's ability to guide students through anxiety and stress. Individuals who wish to become meditation teachers may find this course helpful.
Yoga Instructor
Yoga Instructors lead individuals and groups in yoga practices for physical and mental well-being. Many yoga classes incorporate breathing techniques and mindfulness practices to reduce stress and anxiety. A yoga instructor may find that this course enhances their knowledge of the parasympathetic nervous system and provides additional grounding exercises, such as progressive muscle relaxation and body scans, that they can integrate into their classes. The course's emphasis on stress reduction and calming techniques helps build a foundation for creating a more therapeutic yoga experience. Individuals who seek to become yoga instructors may find it helpful to take this course.
Reiki Practitioner
Reiki Practitioners use energy healing techniques to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support the body's natural healing processes. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may provide complementary skills for reiki practitioners. The course's content on mindful breathing, body scans, and progressive muscle relaxation supports the principles of reiki by fostering relaxation and promoting a sense of calm and well-being. The course may help build a foundation of knowledge around stress reduction. Those who aim to become reiki practitioners may find this course helpful.
Massage Therapist
Massage Therapists use manual techniques to manipulate soft tissues, relieving pain, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation. This course, with its focus on grounding techniques and managing the stress response, may provide massage therapists with additional tools to enhance their clients' experiences. The course's content on progressive muscle relaxation and the parasympathetic nervous system can inform a therapist's approach to promoting relaxation and addressing tension patterns in the body. Those who aim to become massage therapists may find this course helpful.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalists support employee well-being and manage workplace stress. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may equip HR professionals with tools to promote employee resilience and manage stress. Understanding the fight/flight/freeze response and offering techniques like mindful breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can contribute to a more supportive work environment. The HR generalist may use this to find ways to mitigate stress and anxiety among employees. HR generalists may find this course helpful.
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work to empower communities to address social issues and create positive change. This often involves working with individuals and groups who have experienced trauma or are facing high levels of stress. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may equip community organizers with tools to build resilience and promote well-being within the communities they serve. The course's content on grounding in the present moment and creating a safe place can be particularly valuable in helping individuals cope with challenging circumstances.
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency Medical Technicians provide immediate medical care in emergency situations. This role can be incredibly stressful, and EMTs often encounter individuals experiencing extreme anxiety and panic. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may prove useful for providing EMTs with techniques to manage their own stress and help calm patients in crisis. The course's content on the fight/flight/freeze response and breathing exercises can be particularly helpful in high-pressure situations. EMTs may find this course helpful.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives interact with customers to resolve issues and provide support. This role can be stressful, dealing with frustrated or angry customers. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may provide valuable tools for customer service representatives to manage their own stress and de-escalate tense situations. Understanding the fight/flight/freeze response and practicing techniques like mindful breathing can help representatives remain calm and professional. Customer service representatives may find this course helpful.
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinators recruit, train, and manage volunteers for various organizations. This role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to handle stressful situations. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may provide useful techniques for volunteer coordinators to manage their own stress and support the well-being of their volunteers. Understanding the fight/flight/freeze response and practicing techniques like mindful breathing can help create a more supportive and positive volunteer environment. Volunteer coordinators may find this course helpful.
Security Guard
Security Guards maintain safety and security in various settings. Security Guards often experience stressful situations in the workplace. This course, which teaches grounding activities and ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, may provide useful techniques for security guards to manage their own stress and respond effectively in challenging situations. The activity to find a safe place could also prove to be useful. The course may help build a foundation of knowledge around stress reduction. Those who aim to become security guards may find this course helpful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Grounding Skills for PTSD, Stress, Panic and Anxiety.
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of trauma on the brain and body. It explores various therapeutic approaches, including grounding techniques, for healing from trauma. It offers a deeper dive into the science behind the techniques taught in the course. This book is commonly used by therapists and mental health professionals.
Offers practical strategies for managing negative thoughts and reducing anxiety. It complements the grounding techniques taught in the course by providing tools for addressing the underlying thought patterns that contribute to stress. It useful resource for developing a more positive and resilient mindset. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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