Habits from Childhood

I’ve noticed how, at times of stress, people do the things which once comforted them when they were a child, or other things which feel certain to give them pleasure.
Sure, we use this as a general mechanism to protect oneself, for prolonged stress and some other negative states are damaging to one's health. People usually do something which is distracting, or something which feels good, by virtue of having positive associations attached to it...or by habit, doing something which they once enjoyed doing (but may no longer provide them any utility).
Rubbing one's face, Curling up or having a bath if it is raining, Eating one's favourite food, Biting one's nails, Sucking thumb, Re-watching old movies that they loved or re-reading old books, Praying, Touching genitalia?, Slurping soup, Watching/listening to comedy they find funny, Lying close to the fireplace cuddling the dog. Or other manic behaviours to relieve other conditions, like checking email in times of boredom.

The problem is, that doing all of the above does not solve the problem, and sometimes creates others (eg in the case of eating to make oneself feel happy). Oone needs to analyse the cause of why one become stressed in the first place, and correct that.Treat yourself to things that are guaranteed to cheer you up every now and then. But it's better if you do so after you've achieved something, so you will come to associate achievement with positive feelings.