self-soothing
Comforting oneself alone
Self-soothing is calming oneself down without external help.
The term appears most often in discussions of infant sleep training—whether babies should learn to self-soothe or be comforted by parents—and in psychology, where it describes techniques for managing anxiety or emotional distress: deep breathing is a common self-soothing technique, she rocked back and forth, self-soothing.
Oscillating on curved base
- hummingContinuous low-pitched sound
- strokingRubbing softly, repeatedly
- aromatherapyTherapeutic use of plant essences
- lavenderFragrant herb, pale violet
chamomile · massage · swaddling · cozy · tactile · warmth · pressure · fidgeting
Inducing a settled state
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
- copingManaging under strain
- groundingConnecting to earth
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
mindfulness · breathing · reassurance · centering · relaxation · decompressing · unwinding · settling
Connection or fondness
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- blankieChild's comfort fabric
- teddyOne-piece intimate garment
settling · nighttime · nursery · crib · parenting · co-regulation · independence · fussing
Therapy for emotional regulation
- trauma-informedAware of wounding's effects
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
maladaptive · healthy · unhealthy · psychoeducation · worksheet · toolbox · strategies · practice
rocking
Oscillating on curved base
- hummingContinuous low-pitched sound
- strokingRubbing softly, repeatedly
- aromatherapyTherapeutic use of plant essences
lavender · chamomile · massage · swaddling · cozy · tactile · warmth · pressure · fidgeting · hand-wringing
calming
Inducing a settled state
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
- copingManaging under strain
- groundingConnecting to earth
regulation · mindfulness · breathing · reassurance · centering · relaxation · decompressing · unwinding · settling · inner-peace
attachment
Connection or fondness
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- blankieChild's comfort fabric
teddy · settling · nighttime · nursery · crib · parenting · co-regulation · independence · fussing · colicky
DBT
Therapy for emotional regulation
- trauma-informedAware of wounding's effects
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
adaptive · maladaptive · healthy · unhealthy · psychoeducation · worksheet · toolbox · strategies · practice · ACT
- body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, nodding
- self-controlrestraint, willpower, composure, moderation, temperance
- baby sleepcrib, bassinet, swaddle, swaddling, nap
- coping skillscoping skills, coping strategies, coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, impulse control
- infant developmentbabbling, developmental milestones, crawling, first steps, developmental delay
- therapy skillsmindfulness, meditation, anger management, emotional regulation, stress management
self-soothingself-harm
Deliberately damaging one's body
self-destructive behavior · rumination · acting out · catastrophizing · spiraling