Sometimes you do not know how much your life is spent trying to control yourself in silence. Try to stay calm, focus, mentally balanced – even when things inside are getting more and more intense.
Thus, the body develops its own silent resistance mechanism, also known as “self-stimulating behavior.” Whether your feet are shaking under the table or you are running your toes through a soft cloth that provides a strange feeling of comfort, these are examples of self-stimulating behaviors.
These are small and repetitive, and can sometimes convey invisible feelings and emotions that you have stored for longer than anyone knows. But first, let’s explore in detail what a self-motivating attitude is.
What is STIMS?
Self-Arousing Behavior or ‘Stimulation’ Is a repetitive attitude that seems to be able to give you a sense of spiritual satisfaction. These may be some sounds or habits that give you emotional comfort. It can look like playing with your hair, jumping on your knees, chewing on a pen, playing the same song, touching your fingers, or walking around while thinking.
These behaviors occur almost automatically. Sometimes they help to release stress or nervous energy, while sometimes they can also help strengthen your concentration and focus, balance your excitement for your mental processes, or help you feel emotionally rooted in an overwhelming environment.
Trembling behaviors usually serve a specific purpose for people, so it is not something to “fix” or “stop” unless it harms them or those around them. In many cases, it is simply a natural way for your nervous system to relax itself or create a sense of comfort and anticipation.
Types of self-stimulating behaviors
There are three main types of self-stimulating behaviors:
- Physical movements such as hand tremors.
- Self-stimulation using objects for emotional input, such as twisting wires between fingertips, spinning wheels, rotating objects, and so on.
- Rituals and meditations, such as sorting things, make rules, and insist that everyone follow them.
Next, we move on to the 9 most common self-stimulating behaviors and how they manifest in your daily life.
9 Most Common Examples of Self-Motivating Behavior
1. Hair rotation
You may find yourself holding a few open hairs close to your face, and turning it gives you a strange feeling of comfort. It often occurs during times of stress, overthinking, or feeling unwell without even noticing it.
There seem to be some tricks in these repetitive movements to make you feel calm. It can even help to relieve your anxiety or stress.
2. Clicking the pen
As you continue to press the pen, it creates repetitive sounds and small movements that give your brain something predictable to focus on during times of anxiety or boredom.
In this way, it helps you to express the anxious feelings you are experiencing and create a sense of emotional relief.
3. Gentle humming
When working or relaxing, you may notice how your familiar vocal chords relax you and increase your concentration. This is one of the positive attitudes that creates the energy to move forward.
It can also increase your motivation for the task you are doing, especially if it seems dragging or uninteresting.
Read more here: 8 Ways to Relax Yourself to Reduce Stress
4. Chew
Whether you have “gum” or even ice (you know you do that if you are a low-iron girl) or bite your nails or lips – it can become a habit of natural comfort during times of stress or anxiety.
The repetitive emotions it creates tend to help your body feel grounded and in control of the mood as the world around you becomes more crowded and cluttered.
5. Swing to one side
Gentle physical activity is another exciting example that can provide natural relief for you during times of overweight, stress or discomfort.
It makes you more physically present with yourself and your needs, which often helps to create an atmosphere of calm and security based on this content of physical comfort.
6. Knee jump
This often happens when your body is carrying too much stress, anxiety, anxiety or mental energy inside.
Waiting for your interview call or just a moment before your opening? This can be your motivating attitude that helps to release the stress created to temporarily improve your concentration.
7. Doodleling
Doodling during a phone call or meeting is one of the most attractive examples that can keep your focus on the present and help you record the information you have been receiving from there in a clearer manner.
Recently, there is a trend where students practice writing on paper while trying to keep notes and important information as it creates active engagement with their material along with their muscular memory.
Read more here: Can’t focus like before? 10 Steps You Can Take It Back
8. Repetition of sounds or phrases
You may not know how to listen to this repetitive song after a tiring day of relief.
It is because repeating certain words, sounds, or songs can make you feel emotionally relieved during times of sadness or anxiety. Familiar repetition puts your brain in a state of predictability and mental security.
9. Finger touch / cracking / weakness
Touching your fingers, your wrists, or even gestures of wonder are small, repetitive hand movements that often occur during times of stress or deep thought.
It can also occur during boredom or exhaustion. These substances help your nervous system stay focused and help you get the whole feeling of mental settlement.
How to manage stress without forcing yourself to stop
Managing your stress by not forcing yourself to stop being tired is not a great thing that will bring immediate results. Instead, it is in these basic things:
- You do not have to wait until you are completely satisfied, take a break before your body starts asking for help.
- Keep “safe adhesion” nearby, whether it be your gum or rings or textured fabric, instead of blocking the push completely.
- Try to reduce the chaos in the background whenever you can, otherwise it can quickly create stress.
- Move your body a little when your mind feels cramped – whether it’s speed, stretching or walking, these can ease your concentration.
- Take a look at the driving sensations before judging your habits – your body is just trying to comfort you, not destroy you.
Try to incorporate it slowly into your life and see the changes it makes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do self-stimulating behaviors always point to autism?
No, absorption (short for self-stimulating behavior) does not mean that someone has autism. While it may be strongly associated with people with autism and their diagnosis, these are just repetitive movements, sounds or actions, and everyone has certain behaviors.
2. Is it okay to stop a child from recovering?
If recovery becomes an obstacle to your child’s learning or hurts yourself, it is important to understand that goals should not be to stop the behavior from happening. Children are more likely to engage in other forms of stimulation, which can be worse. Therefore, it is important to understand their urgency behind such needs and help them with compassionate relief.
