#63: Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques for Busy People with Elizabeth Gilbeault
I sat down with my dear friend Elizabeth Gilbeault (meditation teacher, clairvoyant, and someone who’s been practicing this work for over 20 years) to talk about staying present and grounded when life gets busy. We covered simple grounding techniques (like the grounding cord), the power of a deep breath (yes, really), and why even 30 seconds can completely shift your day. If you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly running on autopilot, this conversation is for you.
I’m so excited to share this conversation with you.
Elizabeth Gilbeault is the first guest I’ve had on the Find Yourself, Change Your Life podcast, and I couldn’t think of a better person to kick things off. She’s a meditation teacher, a clairvoyant, and one of the most grounded people I know… which is saying something because she’s also got a full-time job, a business, and four kids at home.
If anyone knows how to stay present in the middle of chaos, it’s Elizabeth.
We talked about presence, grounding, and the practical tools you can use when you’re in back-to-back meetings or your kids are melting down or you just realized you zoned out for the last five minutes of a conversation and have no idea what anyone said.
Elizabeth shared something that really stuck with me: even after 20 years of practicing meditation and working with energy, she still goes unconscious sometimes. She still reacts. She still finds herself out of her body in the middle of a meeting.
The difference is she’s practiced coming back. And that’s what we’re all learning to do… not be perfect, but notice when we’ve left, and gently bring ourselves back.
What It Means to Be Present
Elizabeth and I started by talking about presence, and why it’s something so many of us struggle with.
It’s not that we don’t want to be present. It’s that we forget. We get pulled into the next thing, the to-do list, the worry about what’s coming later. And before we know it, we’re living completely in our heads instead of actually being here.
Elizabeth shared: “Worry comes from living in the past or the future. If you can come back to present time, often it can be an instant way to calm and relax and release.”
That’s the whole point of these practices. They bring you back. Back to your body. Back to this moment. Back to what’s actually happening right now instead of the spiral your mind wants to take you on.
The Grounding Cord (Elizabeth’s Go-To Practice)
One of the first things Elizabeth taught me years ago was the grounding cord. It’s become one of my go-to practices too.
It’s so simple, but simple doesn’t mean it’s not powerful.
Here’s how it works: You visualize a connection from your body to the center of the earth. That’s it.
You can imagine it however feels right to you. Elizabeth shared a few options:
Ways to visualize your grounding cord:
A cord connecting your hips to the center of the earth
Sitting on a tree trunk with roots growing down
A slide that goes all the way down to the earth’s core
Standing barefoot on the grass (even if you’re actually in a building)
There’s no right or wrong. It’s really about letting yourself see and feel that connection. Grounded. Anchored. Here.
When you bring yourself back to present time, so many things can shift. The anxiety eases. The overwhelm doesn’t feel quite so heavy. You remember you’re actually okay right now, in this moment.
Elizabeth said she does this constantly. After a meeting. After an interaction. Coming home from work. Just 30 seconds to ground, come back, reset.
It’s not something you do once and check off the list. It’s a constant practice.
The Power of 30 Seconds
This was something Elizabeth kept coming back to, and I think it’s so important: You don’t need a lot of time.
30 seconds. That’s what she recommends for a reset.
I know for me, when I first started trying to meditate or be more present, I thought I needed to carve out 20 minutes or an hour or it didn’t count. And that pressure just made me not do it at all.
But 30 seconds? I can find 30 seconds.
Between calls. After a stressful conversation. When I notice I’m starting to feel anxious or scattered.
Elizabeth said if you can notice it in the moment… okay, there’s a lot happening, I’m picking up on energy around me, I’m starting to feel a certain way. Give yourself that permission to pause. Pull back. Ground.
And if you can’t do it in the moment, do it after. Come in after a meeting and take 30 seconds. It all counts.
The more you practice, the easier it gets to notice when you need it. And the faster you can come back.
Yes, Breathing Actually Works
I loved this part of our conversation because Elizabeth was like, “I know, I know. Everyone says breathe. And I get it.”
She’s been teaching this for 20 years and she’s still a little skeptical every time. But then she does it and it works.
Every. Single. Time.
Here’s the practice she shared:
Simple breathing reset:
Breathe in through your nose for a count of four
Pause for a count of four
Breathe out through your nose for a count of four
You can also do in through the nose, out through the mouth. You can add sound on the exhale (like an “ahhh”). You can reach your arms up as you breathe in and fold forward as you breathe out.
Make it your own. Whatever you need.
But don’t skip it just because it sounds too simple. A deep breath really can change the energy of a moment. It brings you back into your body. It signals to your nervous system that you’re okay.
Step Outside (There’s No Substitute)
Elizabeth and I both agreed on this one: if you can step outside, even for a couple of minutes, it’s a total reset.
Fresh air. Nature. Just being in a different space.
I try to do this even in the winter. Even if it’s just for two minutes. The air, the change of environment… it completely shifts something.
Elizabeth said the same thing. There’s no substitute for it.
So if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, spinning… step outside. Walk around the block. Stand on your porch. Sit in your backyard.
It doesn’t have to be a hike or a long walk. Just get outside for a moment.
Micro Moments Add Up
One thing I really appreciated about this conversation is that Elizabeth was so real about the fact that most of us don’t have huge chunks of time.
She’s got four kids. A job. A business. Clients. Life.
She doesn’t have an hour to meditate every morning. And neither do most of us.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t practice.
Micro moments count. 30 seconds here. A minute there. A deep breath between tasks.
Elizabeth said to let those micro moments be healing. Don’t discount them just because they’re small. It all adds up.
Sometimes linking the practice to something you’re already doing helps you remember.
Times to practice micro resets:
Grabbing coffee or water
Bathroom break (yes, really)
Switching between tasks
Before or after a meeting
Waiting at a red light
If you have something you already do regularly, attach the grounding or breathing practice to that. It makes it easier to build the habit.
Being Gentle With Yourself
At the end of our conversation, I asked Elizabeth: For anyone navigating change right now, what’s one piece of wisdom you’d share?
Her answer was simple and perfect: “Be as gentle as possible on yourself.”
We’re all practicing. We’re all learning. We’re all going to forget and zone out and react and get pulled out of present time.
The practice isn’t about being perfect. It’s about noticing. Coming back. Giving yourself grace.
Elizabeth’s been doing this for over 20 years and she’s still practicing. Still learning. Still being gentle with herself when she goes unconscious.
So if you’re new to this, or if you’ve been trying for a while and it still feels hard… that’s okay. You’re exactly where you need to be.
Just keep coming back. 30 seconds at a time.
What You Can Try This Week
If you’re new to grounding and presence practices, start here:
Pick one practice to try:
The grounding cord
Visualize a connection from your body to the center of the earth (30 seconds, anytime)
4-4-4 breathing
In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4 (repeat 3 times)
Step outside
Even 2 minutes of fresh air resets everything
Link to a habit
Attach grounding to something you already do (coffee break, bathroom, etc.)
You don’t need to do all of them. Just pick one. Try it for a week. See what you notice.
And if you want to go deeper, check out Elizabeth’s work. She’s got a book, oracle cards, and she does beautiful clairvoyant readings. You can find her at EverydayEnergyWithElizabeth.com.
I’m so grateful she was willing to share her wisdom with all of you. This conversation reminded me that the practices don’t have to be complicated. They just have to bring you back.
And we could all use a little more of that.
Find Elizabeth here:
Website: www.everydayenergywithelizabeth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-guilbeault-3b16942/
Ready to go deeper?
Check out Mind Body Connection Unlocked—Part 4 is entirely dedicated to understanding your body, with practical tools, exercises, and guided meditations. You can also explore the Decision Making Series starting at Episode 48 to learn how your unique body is designed to make aligned decisions.
Links & Resources
Get Your Free Human Design Chart
Download the Decision Making Workbook
The Decision Making Accelerator: Book a Decision Making Accelerator Session Here
Connect with Mary:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mary-clavieres-19917a7/
Instagram: @mary.clavieres
Voxer: @maryclavieres
Read Mary's Book:
Mind Body Connection Unlocked is now available! Order your copy and dive into how mind and body alignment can support lasting change in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve tried meditation before and my mind won’t stop. Does grounding actually work if you can’t “clear your mind”?
Yes! That’s the beautiful thing about grounding… you don’t need to clear your mind. Elizabeth has been practicing for 20 years and her mind still wanders. Grounding isn’t about stopping your thoughts; it’s about anchoring yourself back to your body and the present moment even while thoughts are happening. The grounding cord gives your mind something to focus on (the visualization) which naturally calms the mental chatter without forcing it to stop.
How do I know if I’m actually grounded or just imagining it?
The visualization IS the practice. There’s no “just imagining it”. Your intention creates the effect. You’ll know it’s working when you feel more settled, calmer, or more present. Elizabeth said even if you’re skeptical (and she admits she still is sometimes), it works. Trust what you notice in your body: Do you feel less scattered? More anchored? That’s it working.
I don’t have time for 30-second resets throughout my day. Is there a faster option?
Elizabeth would gently challenge that. We all have 30 seconds. That’s the time it takes to walk to the bathroom or grab water. But if 30 seconds truly feels impossible in the moment, even three deep breaths (about 10-15 seconds) helps. The key is actually doing it rather than waiting for the “perfect” amount of time. Link it to something you already do and it becomes automatic.
What if I forget to ground until after I’m already stressed/overwhelmed/reactive?
That’s totally normal and actually still helpful! Elizabeth does this all the time… she comes in after a meeting or interaction and takes 30 seconds to ground and reset. It’s never too late. Grounding after helps you process and release what just happened so you don’t carry it forward into the next thing. It’s all practice.
The grounding cord visualization feels silly or “woo” to me. Do I have to visualize something?
If the visualization feels too woo, try the most concrete version: imagine standing barefoot on grass or dirt, feeling the earth beneath your feet. Or skip the visualization altogether and just do the breathing practice… that’s completely grounded in physiology and there’s nothing woo about it. Use what works for you.
How is this different from just taking a break or stepping away?
The intention makes it different. When you ground, you’re consciously bringing yourself back to your body and present time. A break might help, but if you’re still mentally spinning or processing stress, you haven’t actually reset. The grounding cord, breathing, or going outside with the intention to come back to yourself… that’s what creates the shift. It’s the difference between distraction and actual presence.
Can I practice grounding for my kids or teach this to them?
Absolutely! Elizabeth and I both do this. I teach my daughters the energy bubble practice (which is similar to grounding) for crowded spaces. Kids are often more open to visualization than adults. You can make it playful: “Let’s imagine roots growing from our feet like a tree” or “Picture a bubble of light around you.” Keep it simple and let them find what feels right. Don’t force it… just offer it as a tool when they’re overwhelmed or scattered.
I work in an open office. How do I ground without it being obvious or awkward?
You can do this with your eyes open, sitting at your desk, and no one will know. Just visualize the grounding cord while you’re working. Or do the 4-4-4 breath quietly… it just looks like you’re breathing. Elizabeth mentioned doing this in meetings all the time. The bathroom is also your friend for a quick private reset. You don’t need to close your eyes, sit cross-legged, or make it obvious. It’s an internal practice.
