selfsoothe

Self-soothe refers to the process of calming oneself in response to distress, arousal, or heightened emotions. The term is used in child development and psychology to describe strategies people use to regain a sense of calm without external help.

In infant development, self-soothing describes a pattern in which a child learns to calm after waking or crying. Common behaviors include sucking on a pacifier or a finger, holding a comforting object, gentle rocking, or gradual self-distraction. The emergence of self-soothing varies with temperament and with sleep practices; debates surround sleep training and its long-term safety and outcomes.

In older children and adults, self-soothing encompasses a broader set of techniques for emotion regulation. Examples include controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises (noting sights, sounds, and sensations), mindfulness, listening to soothing music, taking a warm bath, or engaging in gentle repetitive movement. When used adaptively, self-soothing can reduce acute stress and improve sleep.

Self-soothing can be part of a broader self-care plan or therapy and may support resilience, emotional awareness, and coping skills.

Potential drawbacks include over-reliance on avoidance of underlying issues or the development of habitual patterns that may be hard to break. In clinical contexts, self-soothing strategies are usually used alongside other approaches and tailored to individual needs.

See also related terms such as self-regulation, emotion regulation, sleep training, and coping strategies.