Healing Your Inner Child: A Guide to Finding Anxiety Relief Through Self-Soothing

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Healing Your Inner Child: A Guide to Finding Anxiety Relief Through Self-Soothing

Do you ever find yourself feeling stuck in your anxiety and unable to shake it off? Does it feel like no matter what coping mechanisms you try, nothing seems to work? If so, you may be missing a crucial piece of the puzzle — your inner child. What is an inner child? Our inner child is the part of us that holds onto our past experiences and emotions, both positive and negative. It's the part of us that can make us feel small and helpless or joyful and free. Inner child work is one of the very powerful modalities I use in my practice to combat anxiety. By reconnecting with and healing our inner child, we can find relief from anxiety and learn how to self-soothe. So, let's explore how to do just that.

Get To Know Your Inner Child

The first step in healing your inner child is to get to know them. Think back to your childhood and try to identify moments where you may have felt hurt, scared, or neglected. These experiences can shape the way we think and behave as adults. Try journaling your thoughts and feelings about these experiences and notice any patterns emerging. Remember, this is a safe space to explore and heal, so be gentle with yourself.

Validate Your Inner Child

Once you have identified some experiences that may have contributed to your anxiety, it’s important to validate your inner child's feelings. This means accepting and acknowledging that those past experiences may have been difficult or painful for them. Try saying something like "I understand why you feel that way" or "It's okay to feel angry/sad/fearful about that." This validation can help your inner child feel seen and heard, which can be incredibly empowering.

Practice Self-Soothing Techniques

Now that you have connected with your inner child and acknowledged their feelings, it's time to apply some self-soothing techniques. This can include anything that helps you feel comforted and cared for. Some people may find comfort in warm baths, soothing music, or cuddling with a pet. Others may find it helpful to recite affirmations or practice deep breathing exercises. The key is to find what works for you and practice it regularly. Asking your inner child directly what they need and providing that is also incredibly healing. 

Embrace Self-Compassion

Alongside self-soothing techniques, it's important to embrace self-compassion as you heal your inner child. This means treating yourself kindly and avoiding self-judgment when things don't go as planned. It's okay to make ‘mistakes’ and stumble along the way. Remember, you are doing the best you can.

Seek Support

Remember, healing your inner child is not a one-time event, but rather a journey. It's incredibly beneficial to seek out support and guidance from a mentor if you feel you require it. You don't have to go it alone.

Finally…

In conclusion, healing your inner child can be a powerful tool in finding relief from anxiety and learning how to self-soothe. By getting to know your inner child, validating their feelings, and practicing self-soothing techniques, you can start to shift your mindset and find peace within yourself. Remember to embrace self-compassion and seek support when needed. Your inner child deserves to be heard and held.

Inner Child work and the process of deepening your connection within is extremely powerful in healing wounds.

If you’re ready to dive deep or would like support on your journey, book a session below!

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