Repetitve motions as self-soothing techniques

[Wife#2]

I've always, as long as I can remember, used small repetitive motions to self-sooth. I noticed recently that I still do this. I was a little surprised at how often and the variety of small movements I use.

Today, I was triggered and ended up getting emotional while at work. Since then, after I calmed back down, I've been stroking my chin, fiddling with my ears, kicking my feet against my chair wheels, or tapping my shoe-covered toes on the floor mat. When I am almost calm, the chin rub is enough. When I feel myself getting more excited or emotional, the wheel or floor taps start, or I feel compelled to rub one forearm with the other hand. When I was full EF and near loosing it again, my feet were all over the place under my desk. If anyone could have seen it, it would have looked like a child's tantrum up under there.

Sometimes, I can use the repetitive motion - especially tapping - to bring myself back to now and get my job done. Today was not one of those days.

Does anyone else do these types of things to self-sooth when you are getting, or have become, agitated?

[Three Roses]

yes, and when it's really bad i can find myself even pacing from room to room!

when i am like that, i feel jumpy, nervous.

[Dee]

I rock with my leg.  Repetitive motion is recommended for self soothing.  I didn't realize I did this until both my psychiatrist and psychologist independently mentioned it.

[movementforthebetter]

I have repetetive motion habits as well. Rubbing my feet together, rubbing my arms or shoulders, stuff like that. I used to fidgit with my jewelery but I rarely wear any these days.

[Wife#2]

I rock with my leg.  Repetitive motion is recommended for self soothing.  I didn't realize I did this until both my psychiatrist and psychologist independently mentioned it.

How cool of us to come up with this on our own, then!

I used to fidgit with my jewelery but I rarely wear any these days.

Same here! I had this one ring that I could poke my thumb fingernail into the design. It gave a nice tug as I pulled the nail back out. That ring got me through my parent's separation and divorce - well, it helped a lot anyway.

yes, and when it's really bad i can find myself even pacing from room to room!

The pacing at home is what gave my agitation away to my husband. I don't normally pace. He got me to talk about it and spent the rest of the weekend helping me to calm down or keep calm.

[Boatsetsailrose]

Yes I relate - I've done this thing since a child where I run my nails into material and move them up and down, jeans being the best and my pillow - it is so soothing
Also I do a similar thing with my scalp feeling about for bumps and bits
When I'm really agitated the leg goes up and down also when socially anxious I blink a lot

[Spirals]

Yes. I'm very much into physical comfort. I do these type of things a lot, lol.

I chew the inside of my cheek. Or I pet one of my eyebrows. Or sort of examine my eyebrow with my fingers for lack of a better term. I also pet my lips, lol.

It helps me focus 

[Wife#2]

Spirals, that reminds me that my husband 'pets' his eyebrows and palm rubs his face. When he does either of these, I know to try to help alleviate his nerves. He (also ucPTSD) was having a tough night last night, so when we were relaxing for the evening, I rubbed his eyebrows and temples for him ~ he says that really helps a lot to calm him. The first time he asked me to do that, it was strange to me. I was cautious about being so close to his eyes. But, when I saw how much it relieved and relaxed him, I got over my worries. It's now a tradition between us when I see him very stressed.

[mvp]

I've experienced these before--I rub my palm with my opposing thumb, and rub my earlobes.

[Kittysnotthere]

I don't think the repetitive movement is all that unusual. In my experience it helps calm you down because it's a constant when your brain is making everything swirl around you. I rock back and forth with my arms across my chest. Even when it's a slight trigger I find myself with my hands in my lap and rocking gently. It's helpful.

[Spirals]

 

Yeah, I think I read in a book somewhere that it helps your nervous system re-regulate itself.

[Wife#2]

I'm just a little surprised that folks like me - who didn't get the nurturing we deserved as babies and toddlers, have figured out things that work for us. I think it's pretty cool that we're wired to find these things even in the absence of anyone to teach us.

[LovelyLindsey]

I've noticed the same things in myself, but they seem almost destructive... I have Trichotillomania; it's a compulsion to pull your hair. It's not pretty. I've gotten better as an adult but I still find myself doing it when I'm having a particularly bad day. Or I'll pick at my cuticles. I'm looking into finding a hobby where I use my hands a lot, to distract from picking at myself. Like, knitting, or something.     

[Wife#2]

Lindsay,

I've taken to the hot trend of grown-up coloring books. I will say that the cheaper books are just repetitive patters and they get boring after a while. But, even those are fun to go back to when I need to 'not think' for a while. The more expensive books (I only have 1 so far) are a LOT of fun and I feel very creative while coloring in them. I have no drawing or even coloring talent, but I still get to feel creative and to make something pretty.

My son will join me sometimes. He feels more grown-up coloring with me like that.

[Dee]

A messy, feel good hobby is ceramics.  I am not talking about using molds, free clay.  It feels good in my hands and I can make things.  I started a class on the community college.