Treats and Comforters

I thought I would make a list of alternative treats and comforters.  As adults, we tend to look for the easy option when in need of either and often use food or alcohol to fulfil that need.

For me the below are TREATS :

• A bunch of flowers
• A walk in the park/by the sea/in the countryside
• Cinema or theatre visit
• Coffee with a friend
• Having a massage
• Getting a manicure
• Buying a scratch card/lottery ticket (be careful this doesn't become a habit)
• A foot soak
• A swim
• A face mask
• Sitting in the garden
• Time to read a book

And for COMFORT :

• A hot water bottle
• A cuddly blanket
• Stoking a cat, dog or large soft teddy
• A hot bubble bath
• Engaging in a hobby
• Writing - letter to friend, journal, blog
• Lighting a scented candle
• Yoga/Thai chi
• Attending a church service

I am sure you can think of others - please add to the list in the comment box below.

Self-soothing is a forgotten activity for adults, children engage in this practise more easily - sucking a thumb or pacifier, cuddling a blanket or toy, staring at a mobile or loosing themselves in imaginative play.

Adults tend to replace the thumb/pacifier with cigarettes, alcohol, food or chewing gum.  Perhaps joining a choir and singing would be a soother for our mouth?  Or perhaps we just need to modify what foods we choose to pacify us.  Here are a few suggestions :

Change

• Ordinary chocolate to dark chocolate, a cup of hot drinking chocolate, Alpro Soya Chocolate drink, or chocolate whipped dessert.
• Bread to Crackers - (there are a large variety available)
• Take Aways and Ready meals to home cooked foods
• Large plate to medium sized plate
• Puddings to yogurt and/or fresh fruit
• Snacks to nuts, dried fruits, drinking water or juices
• Biscuits/Cakes to breakfast bars

Again you can probably think of others that work for you.  Do share your ideas below.