I don't know if you've noticed, but things have been a little crazy in the world lately (Thanks, Covid). On top of that, it seems like no sooner do we finish one thing, we have to start dealing with another... Over and over, day after day. Keeping up with everything and everyone is a lot of work, and it can be difficult figuring out how to manage our own needs during these times.
Bottom line, it's time for a little self-soothing.
Self-soothing is the practice of taking care of ourselves in healthy ways when life gets tough. When we're stressed and overwhelmed, providing ourselves with comfort and relaxation becomes essential for our physical
and mental health. Self-soothing helps us ground and care for ourselves in healthy ways when life feels out of control or unmanageable.
"Okay, great, but how do I do that?" I hear you ask in a slightly frazzled tone... Self-soothing is like a security blanket that protects you. It can give you calming feelings of security. Are you on board yet?
No worries. Today I'm giving you six ideas for self-soothing in an increasingly crazy world:
Take a self-care day
Schedule time for yourself, however long you need it to be. Then, spend that time doing whatever makes you feel special and loved. For you, that might mean cooking yourself something nice to eat (homemade green curry
with tofu FTW), wrapping up in a blanket and watching your favorite show, or taking a long nap. For some of us, this might involve sitting in a quiet room... doing absolutely nothing. Whatever it is, use this day to take care of
yourself and make sure you feel pampered.
Practice mindfulness meditation (5-10 minutes)
I've said it about mindfulness before, and I'll say it again: It's amazing.
Here's what you need to know: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention and being present in this exact moment. It can help us better accept and process difficult thoughts or emotions, and it's incredibly relaxing.
For a quick practice, take 5-10 minutes for yourself. Sit down, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Practice inhales and longer exhales. If your mind wanders to other thoughts or anything that happens outside of this
moment, just bring it back to your breath. Continue this for 5-10 minutes, and give yourself a pat on the back for practicing mindfulness!
Spend some time in nature
Spending some time in nature is a fantastic way to refresh and rejuvenate ourselves. Like mindfulness meditation, spending time in nature may help us become more aware and present when we feel frazzled or overwhelmed.
Listen to calming music
Listening to soothing music can be incredibly relaxing. So, spend some time listening to music that makes you feel at ease. For me, it's a mix of new-age pianists and Florence and the Machine. Music in general will help take
your attention away from thinking. The bottom line... If you just can’t bring yourself to hang with slower tunes, anything from your playlist should do the trick.
Take a bath with lavender oil or salts
Did you know that just inhaling essential oils can have health benefits? Try filling your bath with warm water and a few drops of lavender oil or calming bath salts of your choosing. Soak, sip a glass of wine, and let the stress melt away. A warm glow of candlelight can also be calming so don’t forget to light a candle or two!
Go to bed early for a well-deserved night of shut-eye
Sometimes we need a little extra sleep to feel rejuvenated. Try going to bed early one night this week. Maybe have that soothing lavender bath we talked about earlier to set the mood. Put on something fuzzy and cozy and
curl up for some healthy shut-eye. You deserve it! The bottom line on soothing your soul (or you, at the least...) Taking the much needed time to care for ourselves in healthy ways is vital to our physical body, mental health,
and emotional wellbeing. In addition, we need this time to relax, regroup, and rejuvenate ourselves so that we can continue taking care of everything else this life throws our way.
So, what are you waiting for? Stay calm and find something soothing for yourself today!