Knowing how to comfort yourself is one of the most useful skills you could have in life.
Unfortunately, as much as I hate to say it there will most likely be quite a few times you need some comforting.
As good as it is to lean on a support system through these times it is important to know how to take care of yourself.
You never want to be in a situation where you feel like you’re spiraling and you don’t know how to calm yourself down.
That is why I am going to give you several tips on how to comfort yourself so you are ready for the next time life hits you with an unexpected event.
Tips on How To Comfort Yourself
#1: Self Reflect
It is healthy to self reflect because it teaches you how to put things in perspective.
By reflecting you remember what is important in life which can make you feel better in situations.
You will have the ability to tell yourself “this problem does not matter because it is not important to my overall life”
#2: Make a safe space
Create an environment that you feel relaxed and comfortable in no matter what you are going through.
This could be in any space in your home. You could put some candles out, a cushion to sit on, some pictures, turn on some music, and anything else that you enjoy.
Spaces like these can be vital during times of need so it’s important to create a safe space.
#3: Give yourself a gift
Who doesn’t like a gift? When you feel down it’s healthy to buy a few gifts to make yourself feel better.
But the keyword here is a few, try not to go overboard with this one.
#4: Focus on the positives
There is always a silver lining.
Yes always. I know sometimes it seems impossible to find one but you can comfort yourself by seeing the positives in a situation.
Try to focus on the positives instead of focusing on the negatives. Trust me, it will make a big difference
#5: Listen to music
Music can completely change your mood.
If you’re feeling down then put on some happy and empowering music. You would be surprised at how much better you’ll feel.
So put on some Lizzo and see what happens.
#6: Focus on hobbies
Hobbies are a good way to keep your mind off troubling thoughts.
Try to pick out a few hobbies you love doing and use them as a creative outlet to soothe yourself. So focus on cooking, sewing, writing, hiking, whatever it may be.
#7: Create a routine to follow
There is a sense of comfort in following a routine.
It’s like no matter what happens to you, you can count on your routine being the same. Consistency is soothing.
So create a morning routine, night routine, gym routine, etc.
#8: Help someone
Helping someone else gives you such a fulfilling feeling.
So take it upon yourself to help the next person you see in need, it will help you and them.
#9: Breathing exercises
When panicking it’s easy to forget to take some deep breaths.
Whenever you find yourself freaking out, try to stop and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down.
#10: Get outside
Nature makes people happier and feel more grounded.
It’s a calming and comforting environment, so I suggest getting outside as much as possible when you’re feeling down.
#11: Get physical activity
Exercise is a great way to brighten your mood.
It doesn’t have to crossfit or anything crazy, it could be as simple as walking.
Yoga is always a good option for relaxation but feel free to do whatever feels the most comfortable.
#12: Talk about how you feel
Just get it off your chest.
Sometimes the best remedy is to do a feelings dump. You could tell a person, write it down, or just say it out loud.
Say everything you are feeling so you can feel more relaxed.
#13: Eat Comfort food
Food can solve all problems, ok fine just most problems.
If you feel a bit down, try grabbing some of your favorite food. Eat some pasta, steak, or you could go down the classic route and grab a pint of ice cream.
#14: Say Positive Affirmations
Words are powerful, which means it matters how we talk to ourselves.
If you are ever in a bad mood try saying some positive affirmations. They will be motivating and they will make you feel better.
#15: Journal
Journaling is a great way to release negative emotion.
Sometimes we are self conscious about how we feel and we don’t want to share them with anyone else.
That is where journaling comes in, it gives you a medium to express yourself without fear of judgment. So if you ever feel like you need to emotionally unload. Grab a pen and paper.
#16: Meditate
Meditation is a great way to get yourself to slow down and calm down.
It is a soothing practice that is hundreds of years old, it’s still around because it works wonders when trying to relieve anxiety.
So next time you feel anxious just close your eyes and clear your mind for a few minutes.
#17: Dress Nice
You would be surprised how dressing nice makes you feel 10x better.
It’s like the old saying goes, when you look good you feel good.
So dig out that gorgeous dress you bought months ago, put it on, and run some errands just so other people can see you in it.
#18: Garden
Gardening is very therapeutic and has been life changing for some people.
It gives you a sense of purpose and gets you out into nature. So pick up a few plants from a local store to help you feel better.
#19: Take on a home project
There’s nothing like a home project to get your mind off of things.
Do something to your space that will benefit you. Reorganize your closet, paint a wall, put together a new bookshelf, do whatever your heart desires.
#20: Go shopping
Buying things makes you feel good, it’s psychology.
So try to give yourself a little retail therapy, it could be clothes shopping, furniture shopping, or even just grocery shopping.
#21: Create a Vision Board
Vision boards are a great way to motivate you.
They keep you focused and give you a reason to keep working hard.
During troubling times they can help you remember your big life goals and lift your spirits so you can keep striving towards them.
As a matter of fact, I have a great post on how to make a vision board.
#22: Clean up
Cleaning up your space can be a good distractor.
Not only is it good at distracting it can help calm you down. Sometimes when we feel anxious and overwhelmed an uncleaned space makes it worse.
You should try to make your space as relaxing as possible so try cleaning it up and you might feel better.
#23: Cuddle with a pet
It’s amazing how much better animals can make you feel.
If you have a pet and you feel sad just cuddle with them. I’m sure they will like it just as much as you will.
#24: Try Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is overlooked.
Essential oils can change around your entire mood. They can make you sleepy, happy, more energetic, you name it.
So try buying a few essential oils of your choice and an oil diffuser and I guarantee you will start to feel better. If you don’t know where to start I always suggest lavender.
#25: Get Creative
Release your creativity.
Getting creative is a great way to comfort yourself, its a way to express yourself.
Everyone should have a creative outlet and if you don’t try something new. You could try painting, writing, cooking, you name it.
Just be sure it is something you love and enjoy.
#26: Define your emotions
Properly labeling your emotions can make you feel better.
Half the time we are so distressed because we are confused about what we are feeling. Sometime it’s best to pull out a feelings wheel to define what you feel so you have more clarity.
#27: Take a vacation
Sipping out of a coconut can solve any problem.
Think about taking a vacation, somewhere you have always wanted to go. Traveling allows us to realize that the world is a big place and your problems aren’t as serious as you might think.
#28: Talk to a friend
Getting a second opinion on a situation can make you feel so much better.
Call up a friend or family member and share what you have been going through. Just talking about your issue can make you feel much better because you aren’t bottling it up anymore.
#29: Give yourself a spa day
Nothing a good spa day can’t fix.
Doing something for yourself will always make you feel better. So go get a massage, get your nails done, and get that facial you’ve been wanting for months.
You deserve it.
#30: Watch a movie
Movies are great because the right movie can lift your spirits.
When I need some comfort, I usually turn on a comedy movie and laugh until I forget what I was sad about.
So if you feel like you are in a rut, turn on a feel good movie so you can get out of that bad mood.
#31: See a new sight
New sights can be exciting and interesting.
They can really brighten up your day and take your mind off of things.
You can go to a new restaurant, see a new museum, walk through a park, it could even be as simple as driving through a nice neighborhood you have never looked at before.
New sights excite the mind, so go out and experience something new.
#32: Close your eyes
Sometimes you just need to block out the world.
Close your eyes for a few minutes to collect your thoughts and feelings. Don’t open them until you feel you have calmed down a bit.
#33: Drinks some herbal tea
Hot drinks are calming but the right tea can make all the difference.
Herbal teas cure all types of problems and that includes stress. My favorite herbal tea is lavender and chamomile. The tea just relaxes me and calms me, it’s a miracle how well it works.
Do some research on herbal teas, go to the grocery store and keep it on hand for whenever you need it.
#34: Clear your mind
Just clear your mind.
Sometimes we are overwhelmed because we are thinking about too much at once. Our brains can only take so much, after all it is a muscle.
Muscles get tired and they need a break. If you feel overstimulated try clearing your mind for a little to soothe yourself.
#35: Remove Triggers
Do you have a trigger in your life? Ya know something you experience that causes a negative emotion and now your mind recognizes it as a threat.
If you have a trigger then try your best to avoid it at all cost. Triggers can cause constant feelings of anxiety and can be detrimental to your mental health.
#36: Find a solution
Finding a solution to the problem can make you feel better.
Once something is solved then you won’t have much to worry about and you won’t even need to comfort yourself.
#37: Realize the importance of the issue
Put the issue into perspective.
Is it something that will affect you in a year? 5 years? 10 years?
If the issue will not affect you long term then find some peace in that fact. The issue will eventually go away on its own.
#38: Play a video game
Video games are a good distraction.
It is another form of expression and can be extremely fun for some people. So go pick out a good video game and pig out on it.
#39: 5 4 3 2 1 Method
The 5-4-3-2-1 method is an anxiety relief method that works wonders.
When you feel overwhelmed, list 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
You will feel calmer by the time you are done with the activity.
#40: Apply pressure to relaxation points
There are pressure points on your body that can help relax you in a time of need.
Just apply some light pressure to these relaxation points and you will feel relief in no time.
Conclusion on Comforting Yourself
I hope you found a few new ways to comfort yourself the next time you are feeling down.
There are hundreds of ways to comfort yourself so hopefully you never feel like there is nothing you can do to feel better.
We all get sad and anxious at times but it’s important to know how to pick yourself back up.
If you enjoyed this post and you think it could help others then feel free to share it. I do this so I can help as many people as possible so I would greatly appreciate it.
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