This New York Times article has some useful tips for self-soothing in times of distress. With COVID, we are in the middle of an emotional marathon, but some of these strategies will work when everyday life is back to normal. Here are some key takeaways.

1. Pacing your breath.  Slowing down your breathing to six breaths a minute has shown to decrease anxiety.
2. Practicing Anchoring. Notice if you are engaged in thinking that isn’t helping you, often our interpretations of events supercharge the intensity of what’s happening around us.
3. Cool-off — literally. By lowering your body temperature with water, you activate your body’s dive response, a reflex that happens when you cool your nostrils while holding your breath, dampening your physiological and emotional intensity.