How do you self-soothe?

[Wonder Woman]

Sleep, melatonin gummies, screwdrivers (if it warrants).

Hi, Truthful_whispers. Thanks for your suggestions.

Sleep is something I crave. If only I could calm myself enough to drift into a refreshing sleep.

Hugs. ?

 

[Strangelongtrip]

I listen to those positive vibrations videos on YouTube. It's like 3-7 hours each of meditation music. Or I listen to the Grateful Dead (hence my misquoted handle haha). I like their live shows the best. There's a whole archive but I also have CDs.

I play music and sing along to the piano or guitar I'm playing. Although sometimes, like today, playing music frustrates me more than helps when I can't get it "right".

This is probably my most out there one, but it helps me the most: I make up stories of characters being helped in exactly what I'm experiencing by some outside figure. Then, I say the things I'd want that outside "authority" figure to say to myself.

I escape into shows I know are safe, or skip hard episodes.

I listen to podcasts I've heard before (new ones sort of are a gamble unless they have trigger warnings). I have a whole library of podcasts I love to listen to.

I write.

I journal.

I pet dogs or cats.

I clean up my room or rearrange things.

I open a door and let the nice outside air into my house.

I make lists. I love making lists.

I think that's all right now. I'm doing some of these now, because I'm currently in an anxiety spell!

 

[mynameisvictory]

Hello, this is a great idea.

* I have some stuffed animals that I love.
* I have a couple of candles -- I don't light them, but I just pick them up and smell them because their scents are comforting
* I will watch my favorite things no matter how many times I've seen them. (I'm in my thirties, but I love Henry Danger; also, Nailed It)
* For my birthday, I went to a class and made my own blanket so now I can wrap up in that.
* If I have the energy (mental energy), I will clean up an area in my apt, makes me feel more in control
* Go for a drive
* Yoga
* I've just started dance fitness with videos on Youtube (again, only if I have the mental energy)
* Listening to music is really big for me.
* I'm about to get into some Korean romance/dramas (it distracts me and some are really fluffy)
* Sometimes, I sleep to rain/storm sounds or with the light on without guilt about running my utility bill up
* I think another big thing is watching what I say to myself -- I give myself the room to be not perfect and not at all -- I even feel better saying, "I'm a basket case right now, and that's okay." Sounds bad, but I think of it in the 80s way, lol.
* And a lot of you already know about how I love to blow bubbles.

I'm sure there is more but that is what I could think of right now.

 

[Wonder Woman]

I listen to those positive vibrations videos on YouTube. It's like 3-7 hours each of meditation music. Or I listen to the Grateful Dead (hence my misquoted handle haha). I like their live shows the best. There's a whole archive but I also have CDs.

I play music and sing along to the piano or guitar I'm playing. Although sometimes, like today, playing music frustrates me more than helps when I can't get it "right".

This is probably my most out there one, but it helps me the most: I make up stories of characters being helped in exactly what I'm experiencing by some outside figure. Then, I say the things I'd want that outside "authority" figure to say to myself.

I escape into shows I know are safe, or skip hard episodes.

I listen to podcasts I've heard before (new ones sort of are a gamble unless they have trigger warnings). I have a whole library of podcasts I love to listen to.

I write.

I journal.

I pet dogs or cats.

I clean up my room or rearrange things.

I open a door and let the nice outside air into my house.

I make lists. I love making lists.

I think that's all right now. I'm doing some of these now, because I'm currently in an anxiety spell!

Love your suggestions.

I especially like the suggestion in which you make up stories to help you process and help yourself through tough times.

When I daydream, my stories are fantasy based. On another planet, where I have a body with wings. In my stories, I fly to help people who are in trouble. Basically, I get to be a super-hero in my stories.

Hello, this is a great idea.

* I have some stuffed animals that I love.
* I have a couple of candles -- I don't light them, but I just pick them up and smell them because their scents are comforting
* I will watch my favorite things no matter how many times I've seen them. (I'm in my thirties, but I love Henry Danger; also, Nailed It)
* For my birthday, I went to a class and made my own blanket so now I can wrap up in that.
* If I have the energy (mental energy), I will clean up an area in my apt, makes me feel more in control
* Go for a drive
* Yoga
* I've just started dance fitness with videos on Youtube (again, only if I have the mental energy)
* Listening to music is really big for me.
* I'm about to get into some Korean romance/dramas (it distracts me and some are really fluffy)
* Sometimes, I sleep to rain/storm sounds or with the light on without guilt about running my utility bill up
* I think another big thing is watching what I say to myself -- I give myself the room to be not perfect and not at all -- I even feel better saying, "I'm a basket case right now, and that's okay." Sounds bad, but I think of it in the 80s way, lol.
* And a lot of you already know about how I love to blow bubbles.

I'm sure there is more but that is what I could think of right now.

Those are great ideas.

So long as I have a calm enough state if mind, I like to take drives, too, and sing along with my favorite songs.

Blowing bubbles is a good idea; we use this with children for a way to relax, and do focused breathing. Don't know why I didn't think of it, myself.

 

[Overcoming]

When feeling anxious, depressed, or unsafe, I cross my arms over my chest and press my body face first into a corner. It feels like being hugged. I imagine a loving mom.

 

[Wonder Woman]

When feeling anxious, depressed, or unsafe, I cross my arms over my chest and press my body face first into a corner. It feels like being hugged. I imagine a loving mom.

Hi, Overcoming.

I've never tried that, but I can imagine how that might feel comforting. I can relate to wanting a loving mom.

Sending warm thoughts and safe hugs. ? ? ?

 

[Lulu95]

This is a great thread! For me, I like to make a cup of tea and wrap up in a heated blanket. Sometimes I will watch funny YouTube videos of cute animals while I do that or look at Pinterest crafts I want to try.

 

[Wonder Woman]

This is a great thread! For me, I like to make a cup of tea and wrap up in a heated blanket. Sometimes I will watch funny YouTube videos of cute animals while I do that or look at Pinterest crafts I want to try.

Getting cozy with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea feels like giving myself a hug at times.

Youtube is a good resource for distraction. I love animals, but I've never sought out animal videos before; I'll have to give it a try next time I'm inundated with traumatic memories and feelings. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Shi]

Sketching/painting with my oil pastels is huge for me: i have a comfy chair that i sit in the sunshine next to the big windows in our family room. Its also a rocking chair. The most basic thing, just rocking sometimes is the biggest soother. And escaping into my pictures.