Worksheet
Supportive Touch for Self-Compassion: A Simple Way to Soothe Stress in Your Body
Touch activates the body’s care system, helping us feel calm and safe. This guide, created in collaboration with self-compassion expert Kristin D. Neff, Ph.D., teaches the Hand-on-Heart practice and invites clients to find the soothing touch that suits them. It offers a simple, body-based way to meet stress with warmth and kindness.
by Insight Timer in collaboration with Kristin Neff
How to Use This Worksheet
Introduce this practice when a client is under stress or struggling with self-criticism. Walk through the five Hand-on-Heart steps together in session. Then have the client check which soothing touches feel right for them, since not everyone is comfortable with a hand over the heart. Encourage them to use their chosen touch whenever stress shows up between sessions.
Who This Worksheet Is For
This worksheet is designed for therapists, counselors, and mindfulness and self-compassion facilitators looking for a simple somatic tool to teach clients. It also suits individuals who want a gentle, accessible way to comfort themselves during stress, low moods, or moments of self-criticism.
Expected Outcomes
- Greater self-compassion during stress
- Improved ability to soothe distress through touch
- Increased comfort with receiving warmth and care from oneself
- Greater awareness of which forms of touch feel soothing
- Reduction in bodily tension and emotional reactivity
Related Topics
References
Neff, K. D. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. William Morrow.
Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2018). The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. Guilford Press.
Dreisoerner, A., Junker, N. M., Schlotz, W., et al. (2021). Self-soothing touch and being hugged reduce cortisol responses to stress. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 8, 100091.
Frequently Asked Questions About Supportive Touch for Self-Compassion: A Simple Way to Soothe Stress in Your Body Resources
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