🔼: [[⭐️ Self-Care]], [[☀️ Connection]] ##### 🕯️ Loving Touch Our parts respond to touch, whether that's from another person or from us, like a self-hug or a gentle stroke on the cheek. We can experiment with light or firm pressure, proximity, movement. We might even treat ourselves with care when we get dressed in the morning. The intention is to both [[🕯️ Being With|🕯️ Be With]] the [[💡 Parts|Part(s)]] who show up somatically so they don’t have to be alone with their [[⭐️ Emotions]] and to create an attuned space where it’s okay to feel them. It’s the difference between rushing to someone to stop them from crying ([[💡 Protector Parts|Protector Parts]]) compared to rushing to someone so they can be held through their tears by someone who cares for them ([[💡 Presence|Presence]]). [[🔑 Parts can use our minds and bodies to get or distract our attention|🔑 Parts can use our bodies and minds to get our attention]], and when we give them that attention they often don’t have to be as loud — they tend feel safer knowing they aren’t alone. Not all [[💡 Parts|Parts]] want physical contact, and that’s okay. ###### The Practice Place the palm of one hand over the sensation with steady, firm, but gentle pressure – not to change it, but to be with it. If touching the sensation directly doesn't feel comfortable or safe, touch around the edge of it, as close as is comfortable. We can stay as long as we like. If it feels a little scary, maybe create a container and stay with it for the length of a few slow, deep [[💨 Belly Breath]]s. ###### See Also - [[🛠 Heart-Hug]] - [[🛠 Butterfly Hug]] - Cradling yourself [^1]: