Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Self-soothing can help you calm your nervous system, regulate your emotions, and cope with stress without turning to self-numbing. In this episode, I explain the difference between self-soothing and self-numbing and share practical self-soothing techniques you can use when you're anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally activated.
I'll also show you how to create your own self-soothing and stress relief toolkit using your senses, movement, nature, meditation, breathing, and self-compassion.
📝 Create your soothing kit: terricole.com/the-art-of-self-soothing-guide
📚 Too Much Book: hfcbook.com
📩 Newsletter: terricole.com/newsletter
🔑 Ready to build healthier relationships? Join: terricole.com/tcm
Time Stamps
00:00 Self-Soothing vs. Self-Numbing
00:57 What Is Self-Soothing?
02:02 Why It's Hard to Soothe Yourself
03:05 How Your Senses Can Help You Feel Calm
04:02 Why Smell Can Trigger Calm
05:12 How Your Senses Affect Stress & Trauma
06:59 Build Your Own Self-Soothing Toolkit
07:53 Movement, Nature & Energy Work
09:46 Why a Warm Bath Can Calm You
10:52 Using Meditation to Soothe Your Nervous System
11:54 How Partners Can Help Each Other Feel Safe
13:52 Self-Soothing vs. Self-Numbing Behaviors
14:54 Find What Actually Soothes You
16:10 A Simple Breathing Technique for Stress
17:10 Create Your Stress Relief Toolkit
18:09 Practice Self-Compassion
If You Enjoyed This, Watch These Videos
youtu.be/B3TvegfnVg8 - Are You Self-Soothing or Self-Numbing? (How to Tell + Why It's Important!)
youtu.be/aF2xbwKdgi8 - Transforming Your Inner Critic: Real Self-Care, Self-Soothing and Self-Regulation
youtu.be/DBFZb2Sk9uI - How To Feel Calm Again When Anxiety Takes Over
youtu.be/zU2cQkItN0g - Why Empaths and HSP Highly Sensitive People Are Constantly Exhausted
🪔 Meditate with me: insighttimer.com/terricole
📸 Instagram: terricole.com/ig
About Terri Cole
Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, global relationship and empowerment expert, and the author of Boundary Boss-The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free, The Boundary Boss Workbook, and Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency.
For over two decades, Terri has worked with a diverse group of clients that includes everyone from stay-at-home moms to celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs.
She has a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable so that clients and students achieve sustainable change. She inspires over a million people weekly through her blog, social media platform, signature courses, and her popular podcast, The Terri Cole Show. For more, see terricole.com
BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/terricole
I’m not currently taking any new one-on-one therapy or coaching clients, but highly recommend using BetterHelp to find a therapist that fits your needs. As a team, we have fully vetted BetterHelp's resources.
terricole.com/gethelp -- If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger, the resources on this page can provide you with immediate help.
Please note: If you choose to sign up for BetterHelp or Insight Timer or buy through my Amazon links, I will receive a commission. Please know that I only recommend services and products that I know & trust.
Self-soothing can help you calm your nervous system, regulate your emotions, and cope with stress without turning to self-numbing. In this episode, I explain the difference between self-soothing and self-numbing and share practical self-soothing techniques you can use when you're anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally activated.
I'll also show you how to create your own self-soothing and stress relief toolkit using your senses, movement, nature, meditation, breathing, and self-compassion.
📝 Create your soothing kit: terricole.com/the-art-of-self-soothing-guide
📚 Too Much Book: hfcbook.com
📩 Newsletter: terricole.com/newsletter
🔑 Ready to build healthier relationships? Join: terricole.com/tcm
Time Stamps
00:00 Self-Soothing vs. Self-Numbing
00:57 What Is Self-Soothing?
02:02 Why It's Hard to Soothe Yourself
03:05 How Your Senses Can Help You Feel Calm
04:02 Why Smell Can Trigger Calm
05:12 How Your Senses Affect Stress & Trauma
06:59 Build Your Own Self-Soothing Toolkit
07:53 Movement, Nature & Energy Work
09:46 Why a Warm Bath Can Calm You
10:52 Using Meditation to Soothe Your Nervous System
11:54 How Partners Can Help Each Other Feel Safe
13:52 Self-Soothing vs. Self-Numbing Behaviors
14:54 Find What Actually Soothes You
16:10 A Simple Breathing Technique for Stress
17:10 Create Your Stress Relief Toolkit
18:09 Practice Self-Compassion
If You Enjoyed This, Watch These Videos
youtu.be/B3TvegfnVg8 - Are You Self-Soothing or Self-Numbing? (How to Tell + Why It's Important!)
youtu.be/aF2xbwKdgi8 - Transforming Your Inner Critic: Real Self-Care, Self-Soothing and Self-Regulation
youtu.be/DBFZb2Sk9uI - How To Feel Calm Again When Anxiety Takes Over
youtu.be/zU2cQkItN0g - Why Empaths and HSP Highly Sensitive People Are Constantly Exhausted
🪔 Meditate with me: insighttimer.com/terricole
📸 Instagram: terricole.com/ig
About Terri Cole
Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, global relationship and empowerment expert, and the author of Boundary Boss-The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free, The Boundary Boss Workbook, and Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency.
For over two decades, Terri has worked with a diverse group of clients that includes everyone from stay-at-home moms to celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs.
She has a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable so that clients and students achieve sustainable change. She inspires over a million people weekly through her blog, social media platform, signature courses, and her popular podcast, The Terri Cole Show. For more, see terricole.com
BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/terricole
I’m not currently taking any new one-on-one therapy or coaching clients, but highly recommend using BetterHelp to find a therapist that fits your needs. As a team, we have fully vetted BetterHelp's resources.
terricole.com/gethelp -- If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger, the resources on this page can provide you with immediate help.
Please note: If you choose to sign up for BetterHelp or Insight Timer or buy through my Amazon links, I will receive a commission. Please know that I only recommend services and products that I know & trust.
