The art of self-soothing
Self-soothing is one of those fundamental skills that everyone can benefit from, as it provides us with the skills to be there for ourselves when we feel emotionally overwhelmed or flooded.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL FLOODING?
Emotional flooding, also known as emotional overwhelm or being overwhelmed by emotions, refers to a state in which an individual experiences an intense and overwhelming surge of emotions. It is characterized by a feeling of being flooded or overwhelmed by emotions to the point where it becomes challenging to think clearly or cope effectively.
When someone is emotionally flooded, they may feel an intense and rapid escalation of various emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, or anxiety. These emotions can be triggered by a particular event, or situation, or even by internal thoughts and memories. The person may feel a loss of control over their emotions and find it difficult to regulate or manage them effectively.
Emotional flooding can be associated with physiological responses such as increased heart rate, sweating, shallow breathing, or tense muscles. The cognitive faculties can also be affected, making it harder to concentrate, make decisions, or engage in effective problem-solving.
HOW CAN SELF-SOOTHING HELP?
Self-soothing is important because it allows us to regulate our emotions and find inner calm and comfort, particularly during times of stress, anxiety, or distress. It involves engaging in activities or techniques that promote relaxation and provide a sense of security and well-being.
Self-soothing can help us improve our emotional regulation, lower our stress, improve our well-being, increase our self-awareness, increase our coping skills, and improve our relationships with others.
SOME IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED:
Self-soothing is typically achieved by engaging one or more of our senses - sight, sound, touch, taste and smell - in a purposeful and mindful way. The activity itself can last anywhere from just a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the level of emotional flooding and overwhelm.
SIGHT taking a walk, watching the sunset or sunrise, art, colouring books, low lighting
SOUND calming sounds, your favourite music, talking with a friend, listening to audiobooks
TOUCH taking a warm shower or bath, cuddling, blankets, wearing comfortable clothing
TASTE warm drinks, nostalgic flavours, eating slowly and savouring every bite
SMELL fresh air, comforting scents, aromatherapy
Remember that everyone is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Take your time and experiment with some of the above activities to see which one works for you.
