How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self

by Nicole LePera

Soothing activities: Taking a bath. Soaking in warm water can help calm the body. (If you have Epsom salts available, throw some in if you’d like some added muscle relaxation.) Doing self-massage. This can be as simple as rubbing or massaging your feet or lower legs. There are YouTube videos on different pressure points that can help relieve stress. Reading. Catch up with that book or article you’ve been meaning to read. Listening to, playing, or writing music. It’s your choice! Snuggling. This can be with anyone or anything, including your pet(s), your kids, your friends, your partner, or a comfy bed pillow. Moving (if possible). Any kind will work! Expressing your emotions. Try screaming into a pillow, in the shower, or outside in a large empty space (so as not to activate a neighbor’s nervous system!). Writing. Write a letter, a journal entry, a poem about what you’re feeling. (Try not to use this time to write about the activating event, or you