Comfort starts with awareness of the mind-body connection.  Pay attention to the fact that all of you is connected – your social, emotional, cognitive and physical systems – and each of them impact each other and how you move through the world.  

• Become a stress detective! 
• Recognize the signs and sources of stress and how it impacts your physical and emotional states as well as your behavior.  
• Reduce stress by becoming aware of what it feels like when you are just starting to feel stressed, as well as what it feels like to be calm.  
• Reframe stressors so that you can develop personalized strategies for self-care. Take “me” time and develop self-care routines.  You are positively modeling for your child how to modulate emotions when you use strategies to self-soothe and seek balance. 
• De-stress and stay active.  Eat, play, move, and sleep.  Walk, meditate, dance, chant, do yoga – whatever you enjoy!  Take the time, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block.
• Finding comfort takes time.  Be patient with yourself as you practice.  Once you are comfortable, you can be a powerful source of comfort for your child.