You finally sit down at the end of the day, but instead of sinking into rest, your body still feels on edge.
You’re replaying a tough conversation or tomorrow’s to-do list.
Your leg won’t stop bouncing, or your chest feels heavy.
Even in the quiet of your own home, it feels impossible to switch off.
That’s what happens when your nervous system is dysregulated.
When I first learned about dysregulation, I was shocked at how often it shows up in everyday life. It doesn’t take a car accident or a major trauma to throw the body off—chronic stress can do it too. In fact, researchers estimate that 70–90% of primary care visits are stress-related. Which means the headaches, digestive issues, and constant fatigue so many people struggle with aren’t “random”—they’re signs of a nervous system that’s stuck in survival mode.
To be dysregulated means your body is locked in alert mode, and it can’t always tell the difference between actual danger (like a car swerving toward you) and everyday overwhelm (like clutter piling up, noise, or being behind on deadlines). Even sitting comfortably on your couch, your body may still react as if you’re being chased by a tiger.
And here’s why that matters: if we’re walking around chronically dysregulated, what role is our home playing? Is it adding to the overwhelm—with piles of stuff, harsh lighting, and nowhere to truly rest? Or is it designed to support your nervous system, helping you re-enter your body’s calm zone?
This series is about helping you answer that question.
If any of these terms are new to you, read Part 1: Calming Sensory Overload Through Orienting, where I break down nervous system basics and give you a visual of the Window of Tolerance—your body’s “calm zone.”
The Science of Grounding (In Plain English)
Grounding is a way to help your body realize, “I’m here, I’m safe, I can calm down.”
Physiologically, grounding activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s built-in calm system. The technical nickname for it is rest and digest. But let’s make that concrete:
It slows your breath and helps you take full, steady inhales and exhales.
It lowers your heart rate so your chest doesn’t feel heavy or tight.
It supports digestion, since your gut can only work properly when the body isn’t in survival mode.
It relaxes your muscles, releasing that jittery leg bounce or tense shoulders.
This shift is what allows your body to re-enter the Window of Tolerance. If that term is new, I will explain it fully in Part 1 of this series.
How to Ground Yourself at Home
When you notice overwhelm rising, here’s a process to try:
Pause and name it. Say to yourself, “I’m noticing I’m anxious” or “I’m noticing my body shutting down.” It’s important to name the state, as it helps your brain recognize it in the future.
Reach for an anchor object. Pick something in your home ahead of time so you don’t have to think in the moment. (We’ll cover what to choose below.)
Engage your senses. Hold the object, and notice its texture, weight, or temperature. Take slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Repeat a calming phrase. Say, “I’m safe here”—either aloud or silently—5–10 times while maintaining focus on the object. The combination of singular focus, touch, and repetition helps your nervous system reset.
Design Tips: Choosing Your Grounding Anchors
Here’s why design matters in grounding: the objects you choose should give your body multi-sensory cues of safety.
A side chair — Make this your go-to calming chair. The right chair offers a textural fabric for your hands, a supportive structure that helps your body feel held, and is easy to get in and out of—which is critical for proprioception (your body’s sense of position and movement in space). Sitting here becomes a ritualized cue of safety. Explore our accent chairs collection.
Marble candle holders & objects — Marble is a natural material (visual calm), it’s heavy (muscles register the weight), and it’s cool to the touch (temperature cue). Three sensory signals in one object. Shop marble decor.
Small vintage planter, pot, or object — The patina and texture of aged clay or metal give your eyes and hands something interesting to notice, pulling you out of anxious loops. See our vintage decor.
Cozy throws or pillows — A favorite pattern provides a joy cue for your eyes. Add softness or texture, and now your hands have something soothing to focus on. Shop our throws and pillows.
Your bed — Not just a place to sleep, but a grounding anchor. Climbing into it can cue rest, safety, and recovery—if you’ve chosen one that feels good in both look and feel. See our beds & headboards.
Why This Matters
Grounding is about more than stress relief. It’s about teaching your body a new baseline: safety. Every time you use grounding to bring yourself back into regulation, you strengthen your nervous system’s ability to stay in that calm zone—or to return more quickly the next time stress pushes you out.
And your home can either make that process harder or help you immensely. Through the RUTED™ Method, I design for nervous system regulation, combining somatic science, heritage, trauma-informed design, and sensory balance so your home actively supports your healing.
If you’re curious about how to apply this in your own space, you can book a Virtual Session with me for personalized guidance or hire me for full-service design if you’re ready for a complete transformation.
Next week in this series, I’ll share Part 3: Using Texture and Weight to Reset Your Body. And I don’t just mean physical weight—I’ll explain why visually weighted design elements (like a chunky wood table or a bold vintage pot) can ground your body too.
