self-soothe

[ self-sooth ]

verb (used without object)

1. (of an infant or child) to stop fussing or crying, especially at naptime or bedtime, without receiving comfort from a parent or other caregiver:

   Don’t expect all babies to self-soothe as readily as this little sweetheart.

2. to comfort oneself when experiencing sadness or distress:

   I need to go home and self-soothe with a comfy blanket and a large glass of wine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-soothe¹

First recorded in 1980–85; self- ( def ) + soothe ( def )

Example Sentences

Deep breath in, slow breath out… Isn't it odd that we can self-soothe by slowing down our breathing?

From Science Daily

And then people often self-soothe with food.

From Los Angeles Times

While some people perfected their sourdough or TikToks during the pandemic, I took everything out on my face, obsessively picking apart my appearance to self-soothe through the months of blinding sameness.

From Los Angeles Times

“Carnelian” uses this catchiness to address society’s impulse to self-soothe through cheap hits of social media.

From New York Times

She couldn't eat, shower, or leave her house in Melbourne - but says prescription antidepressants left her "zombie-like, unable to cry, self-soothe or feel better".

From BBC