How to SOOTHE Yourself During HARD TIMES!

Apr 14, 2020

We all experience times when we are stressed, worried, nervous, scared or even anxious. It is important to know that even though you are an adult, you still need love, nurturing, and all the things you received as a child.

People will tell me what they are worried about, and unfortunately, what they do not realize is that they have been programmed through repetition to continue down the road of worry and negativity. Being aware that you are bringing yourself down a dark hole will help you to begin to start soothing yourself.Being able to soothe yourself is essential to being healthy. It is the ability to calm yourself down and take care of yourself during uncomfortable times.In this article, I will give you some ways you can begin soothing yourself from how to speak to yourself and handle negative stories in your mind, to what you can physically do to ease yourself.

Hand on Your Heart

Something mothers often do to console their babies is rub the baby's belly or back. They will place their hand on the back or place their hand on the child’s chest and slowly move their hand around. This feeling of physical touch then soothes the child from what they are internally experiencing.

This is a very nurturing technique as physical touch soothes all of us. Since you are not able to rub your own back, just placing your hand(s) on your heart and breathing slowly will automatically begin to give you a sense of ease.

Depending on how sad, worried, or scared, you feel will determine how quickly you feel the ease wash over you. Just like when someone hugs you as you are crying and you begin to cry more, there is a sense of relief in that feeling of physical touch that someone is giving you and who you release your tears onto their shoulder. By putting your hand on your heart, you are connecting to your higher self to ease your heart and soul. Through this process, you are helping ease the pain you are feeling.

Another great soothing bedtime tip is to have a very small pillow on your bed that becomes your “stuffed animal.” Whether you had stuffed animals as a child or not - hugging something as you fall asleep is soothing. Some people hug their second pillow, and some grab onto a large chunk of blankets, regardless, cuddling up against something helps ease the body and calms us before bed.

Mantras

A mantra is something that is said repeatedly. It can be a word or a short sentence. The purpose of a mantra is, so you begin to feel what you are saying or thinking vs. letting your thoughts run wild.

When we have no control over our thoughts, we can create overthinking, stress, worry, anxiety, and eventually panic. It is not until you begin the practice of staying present to your thoughts that you will find ease.

The situation will determine the mantra you speak to yourself. This thought needs to be one that feels right and will ease your mind. It will make you feel safe and comfortable.

If you suffer from anxiety or social anxiety, saying something to yourself, such as “I am safe. I am OK” is a great choice to calm yourself down through anything you are doing.

You want to be able to tap into the logical side of your brain to see that you are not actually in any danger and begin choosing your thoughts vs. letting fear take over.

The danger you are feeling is perceived danger, and being logical will allow you to see that. It is then the job of your higher self to remind your scared inner self of that. The reminder will cause your worry, sadness, or fear to subside.

Noise Levels

Just like when you were small, noise plays a significant role in your mood, especially if you are highly sensitive. We live in a very active world, and slowing down needs to happen to get to a place of self-soothing yourself through what you are going through. If you are always listening to loud music or in crowded areas, then you will never be able to calm your nervous system down enough to ease your pain.

The same goes for distractions. Waking up each day and living for the distractions of the day will not help your worries, fears, or stress. All of the feelings you have will still be there waiting for you when the noise drops, and the distractions go away.

While a little noise can be soothing, like the sound of ocean waves or the sounds of classical music being played, it always becomes a matter of knowing what you need in each moment to help yourself through this thing we call life.

Foods That Calm the Nervous System

Diet plays a significant role in how you feel. The right foods help ease your body.

Magnesium

Magnesium has been shown to help stabilize mood by reducing serotonin levels. It helps to maintain your body’s melatonin production, which is a hormone that promotes good sleep.

There are not a lot of foods that are high in magnesium; some include almonds, spinach, cashews, peanuts, black beans, yogurt, tofu, bananas, dark chocolate, avocados, flaxseed, pumpkin and chia seeds.

Aside from foods, you can also use magnesium supplements and powders that are added to your beverages daily. These two options will give you the daily dose of magnesium your body needs to maintain a healthy balance.

The most important thing when learning how to soothe yourself is to know yourself and what you need that will nourish and help you feel better while you are going through something difficult.