Using Your Sense of Vision to Self-Sooth

What better gift did God provide than our vision?  A large percentage of our brain has been set aside solely for our sense of vision.  What we see can have a very powerful affect upon how we feel about ourselves, others, and our world (both positively and negatively).  So, it is an important tool for self soothing and calming our nerves when stressed.  What you use visually to self-sooth depends upon your individual preferences and taste.  Here are some questions to help you in your journey of using visual stimuli to self-sooth:

What do you find calming and enjoyable visually? Do nature scenes calm you down? Does watching a fish tank, fireplace, the ocean or even clothes spinning in the dryer help you move to wise mind? How about looking at the clouds or stars in the sky? If you’re in a lengthy crisis, you may be able to go to the ocean, a park or a wooded area and look at the scenery. If you’re in the middle of an argument with someone, take a brief moment and look at the sky, look at the wind rustling the leaves on a tree. Inside look at a nice picture on the wall, or if you’re wearing some jewelry or clothing that you find pleasing, glance at them.

Or some other ideas:

• Lower the lights
• Light candles
• Go to the park, lake or beach to view the beauty of nature
• Clean house or organize a messy area.  Restoring a sense of order can be calming.
• Create art (paint, draw, color a mandala) If you are intimidated by art, try a coloring book.  Many of my clients find that simple coloring is very, very calming.
• Sit at an outdoor cafe or the hotel of a beautiful old hotel and watch people
• Go to an art gallery
• Watch a favorite movie or television series that always makes you laugh
• Watch a favorite comedian that always makes you laugh
• Go for a car ride in the country or some other beautiful scenery

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Kevin Leapley, MA, LPC, CSAT

Sexual Addiction Therapist at Front Range Counseling Center

Kevin Leapley specializes in both marriage counseling and sexual addiction therapy for men. Kevin has received specialized training by Dr. Patrick Carnes and obtained his CSAT (Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist). Kevin has also received extensive training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and is a certified Emotionally Focused Therapist .

Latest posts by Kevin Leapley, MA, LPC, CSAT (see all)

• Relationship Panic & Attachment - September 18, 2018
• Anger Management Coping - January 22, 2017
• How Do People Behave In Anger - December 31, 2016
• Anger Management Distortions: Overgeneralization - December 3, 2016
• Two Basic Traits That Help Relationships Last - November 22, 2016