This is the last post in the self-soothing series. I have one last post I will put out next week in the overall self-care series. It will be a series of questions to ask yourself, when you get some quiet time, over the holidays. It may help you set some new goals for 2017 or build some new habits. Either way, I hope it gives you something to think about.

The things to try below I felt didn’t fit under one sense but used many of them together. The more we engage our senses the greater our self-soothing practice will be. That is why I have encouraged you to take one thing off each list week by week. It also helps to build some good habits. I hope you have enjoyed this series and have taken time out of yourself every day. Rest, relax and be happy in your lives.

1. Do something new or at least something you haven’t tried before.
2. Buy something – it doesn’t have to be expensive but it has to be just for you.
3. Get out of debt or at least get financially honest with yourself.
4. Journal –always a good way to get rid of all your thoughts, slow down the washing machine effect in your brain and help you sleep.
5. Remember 3 things you’re grateful for – add this to the end of your journal as a great way to remind yourself how much you do have.
6. Take up a hobby, again something you have never tried before
7. Go fishing, golfing etc.
8. Exercise –go out for a walk; make an appointment with yourself to do this!
9. Have sex
10. Think about sex – not only for the boys’, yes we girls think about it too.
11. Daydream –this isn’t just for kids, even better write them down.
12. Sit at a sidewalk cafe and just watch everything around you.
13. Have a day off – no work, no kids, just you and what you want to do.
14. Plan a holiday –even if it’s far off into the future. It can start to be a dream holiday you plan for.
15. Reflect on how you have improved in that last week, month, year
16. Meditate –mindfulness: always so good for you. Check out the following video on YouTube: gives an outline of what mindfulness is.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWaK2mI_rZw

And if you want to practice, try a 10-minute mindfulness session

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5uaDoOCMb4

17. Have lunch or coffee with a friend
18. Play cards or learn a new card game
19. Do crossword puzzles, Sudoku etc
20. Shoot pool or snooker
21. Dress up nicely
22. Wear makeup
23. Plan your career or retirement
24. Collect things
25. Recycle things, or upcycle them
26. Relax
27. Recall good memories
28. Meet new people
29. Volunteer
30. Save money
31. Plan a day out
32. Remember the love and good deeds of others
33. Have a quiet evening in.
34. Take care of your garden or plants
35. Doodle like you are a kid!
36. Play with your children or grandchildren, bring out that inner child again.
37. Go to a party or have one –ask others to bring a dish to share.
38. Play a sport or watch some at a match
39. Have a get together with family/friends
40. Go camping
41. Lose weight
42. Thank someone
43. Pay a compliment, even to a stranger.
44. Smile at someone you meet on the street

Self-soothing Using the senses: Touch part 5

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