[Eleny]

I struggle to cope with my emotions and cry and fall apart quite easily. Recently I've been thinking I need to start getting on top of this. I am really interested in looking at ways I can self soothe or reassure myself so that I don't keep breaking down and looking to others for reassurance.

Has anyone ever felt the same? Does anyone have any methods they use to self soothe or tips they could share?

Thank you

[Sunflower123]

I definitely hear you there although mine has gotten better as I've gotten older. DBT and CBT skills help with emotional regulation. You could look into that. Good look and best wishes.

I wish I could give you more advice, but I'm just learning this myself. I do agree that DBT and CBT both can work wonders. Best of luck to you.

[BlueCrustacean]

As obvious and simplistic as it may seem, I've come to really discover the power of just BREATHING. I stop whatever I'm doing and breathe in, slowly through my nose... then breathe out of my mouth, twice as slowly...... and continue the cycle a few times. If you don't feel it working, just keep doing it a bit longer. Take your time just doing nothing else but breathing; paying attention to how it feels physically in your body to breathe, in, and out.

If you have more time, and somewhere to relax, you can do progressive muscle tension and relaxation exercises. Stretch your arms out, tense them as much as you possibly can, making them tighter and tighter as you count to 7...... then relax totally, shaking them out a bit... noticing how those muscles feel when they're let go and relaxed. Do the same with your legs, feet, chest, face, etc. Sometimes I just do one full body tense, and then relax. It really helps with insomnia.

I use YouTube guided meditation videos to self sooth (for anxiety or depression or any other issue I am facing) and refer often to self affirmations and/or positive psychology/positive mental health quotes I can find online. I also read a lot of self-help books in the areas I am struggling with the most. ((((hugs)))) I hope you can find some peace and resolution to your struggles.