Cuddling with a body pillow when falling asleep gave me more than zero warmth when I was craving it. Same with really clasping some part of bedding as if I'm holding hands with it. I know it's fake, but I still feel my body/mind reacting positively, so, whatever, I'll take what I can get.
In the same fake cheativities category: Sometimes when traffic stresses me out I take a fake puff of a cig. I stopped years ago, but it gives me something. Fun stuff
do you game or do other hobbies that keep your hands busy but your ears open? throw up some of those self love affirmation videos off youtube, the ones you're supposed to listen to while sleeping. i can't speak for if they work while you sleep, they'd keep me up, but they work great as essentially background noise and help your mood and self compassion improve over time
A pet. If you're not up for living with one, find a shelter that accepts volunteers. They need people to walk/cuddle/play with the dogs and cats.
The only way out is through. Do whatever you feel like doing. Just pay attention to the information you’re getting from your emotions, and make good choices.
Don’t expect yourself to be perfect. Nobody is. Despite that fact, we all still have the right to pursue happiness.
Ngl, a cuddle buddy really is optimal for that. The problem is that if you don't already have cuddly friends that are only cuddly, it's not necessarily going to be great. Not every friend is going to be a good cuddle buddy, even if they're the best friend ever to exist. Cuddling just isn't something that everyone can do with a friend. Then there's the other side where not everyone can just cuddle, without it turning romantic or sexual.
People have suggested pets, but that's another situation where if you don't already have one, it's a bad solution. Just picking a pet quickly to serve as a safety blanket is a horrible idea. Pets are a commitment that shouldn't be made lightly. Doing so isn't healthy for the humans or the pets involved.
Do you have anyone in your life that can give you comfort and support with physical contact?
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