Cuddle up with a fluffy pet or stuffed animal
Use the diving reflex (face in cold water for 30 seconds)
Choose happy or self celebratory activities that help you feel calm and safe
Jiggle to your favourite music (if you are very weak, you can do this lying down)
Take a hot bath
Go on a mini walk round the garden and find some lovely flowers to smell/gaze at
Take your inner child on playdates... skip a little, pick daisies, dance in the living room, do a puzzle, make a drawing or finger painting
Doing math sums (engage the pre-frontal cortex)
Physical Distraction of calming sensations can also be helpful. Here are some you can use (you can also invent your own):
Move head side to side slowly, noticing everything your eyes see as you move
Arm sweep, stroke one arm from tips of fingers to shoulder with the opposite hand
Look at your toes wiggling!
Cross over thumbs on chest. Lift one thumb up slowly then the other. Focus on the sensations
Close one eye and look across at your nose, do the same on the other side
Invent your own :-)
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