Welcome to #selfdiscoverysaturday, where I share something simple you can use to get better acquainted with the beauty that is you. 💖 Today, we’re talking about self-soothing, or our capacity to “reset” from a place of distress.
While you may have heard this term before in reference to crying babies, therapists teach us that self-soothing is important for adults too. This is doubly true for those of us who have encountered trauma or those of us who may never have had the skill role-modeled for us before. Self-soothing helps us to feel more comfortable in our bodies, to better understand our feelings, and it gives us practice with relying on ourselves in times of need. This in turn allows us to better show up in the world and in our relationships with other people.
Being able to soothe ourselves rather than relying on other people or substances takes practice and compassion. Luckily, self-soothing is a skill that can be done anywhere and in nearly any situation.
The next time you’re feeling out of sorts, try one of these practices and see how you feel. And stay curious! What works for me might not quite be the right fit for you. What you need might change from situation to situation. Just keep experimenting until you find what helps – I promise it’s worth it.
How does self-soothing play a role in your life? What self-soothing tools do you find helpful?
PS – If you’re into self-discovery, check out my post on approaching discomfort.
Resources From Other Self-Soothing Professionals
While this content comes from my personal experiences with self-soothing, I wouldn’t have gotten where I am today without the help and resources of many experts. Here are a few resources I’ve found helpful that you might like as well:
- Terri Cole: The art of self-soothing (podcast)
- Self-Compassion: Supportive touch (exercise)
- OCAD U: Self-soothing strategies that engage all senses (list)