The MindFitnessDr
Soothing and Supportive Touch
Soothing and Supportive Touch is the first micro-self care practice that is taught in the mindful Self-Compassion course.
The physiology of our inner critic is that we activate our flight or fight nervous system through self-criticism.
This leads to fight (self-critic), flight (sense of isolation), and freeze (rumination).
When we practice soothing touch, we generate a sense of safety through our mammalian caregiving system, which releases oxytocin and opiates and contracts the stress response, by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. We generate self-kindness rather than self-criticism.
Also, our brains do not know the difference between others hugging us, or giving ourselves a hug, which is really important in these COVID times!!!!