copeswipe

    copeswipe

    PTSD
    Panic
    Anxiety
    ⚡ Quick

    Butterfly Hug

    PTSD illustration

    Cross your arms over your chest and alternately tap your shoulders, a self-soothing bilateral stimulation technique.

    Why it works

    The bilateral stimulation helps process distress while the self-hug position activates self-soothing neural circuits.

    Arms

    Cross your arms over your chest. Each hand rests on the opposite shoulder, like giving yourself a hug.

    Take about 1-2 minutes for this step.

    copeswipe has dozens of free, evidence-based coping skills for anxiety, panic, stress, sleep, and low mood.

    Explore more coping skillsLooking for a therapist? Find clinicians who use copeswipe

    In crisis? Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or text HOME to 741741.