I often use meditation, yoga, and aromatherapy. I particularly like child pose, rag doll, and downward facing dog poses for calming and soothing. I can almost always count on using breath following meditation. And the scents of lavender, mint, and geranium (among others) help soothe. A hot bath using fragrant bath salts helps, too.

If your situation doesn't allow for these, simply closing your eyes (or partially closing) and taking five to ten deep, slow breaths can also help.

These are things that I find helpful. I think that as far as developing self-soothing skills, it's good to try out suggestions from others or from workbooks, lists, etc. and start creating your own "self-soothing took-kit" of what works best for you, since we're all different.

Good luck,

gg