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Mental Health Box Ideas

S

silver-watercolors

Well-Known Member
#1
#1
I used to have a box full of things to distract myself/cheer myself up/calm myself down when feeling depressed/anxious, but I moved a few years ago and haven't seen it since. I want to make a new mental health box, and I'm trying to get more ideas for things to put in it; I figured maybe someone here would have an idea I hadn't thought of yet. For box size reference, I'm thinking around 7” x 5” x 2.5” or a bit larger/deeper--like those fabric covered storage boxes used for storing letters/papers. Here are the ideas I have so far (not sure if I'll actually include all of this--just trying to get ideas):
  • Mini lotion + eye cream
  • Fidget toys (like a tangle fidget, nee-doh nicecube, pop-it fidget, etc)
  • Regular coloring book and/or Scratch & Sketch etching coloring book
  • Crayons/watercolor markers
  • Essential oils (lavender/mint/eucalyptus)
  • Mini crossword and/or word search
  • Mini puzzle
  • Letters/cards from friends/family
  • DBT cards for coping skills
  • Mini bubble wand
  • Stickers
I think what I've brainstormed is good for distracting myself, but I'd like to have more calming sensory things like the fidget toys/bubbles/essential oils. I tend to get overwhelmed easily by sensory input, so oftentimes if I'm having a really hard time mentally I'm also in sensory overload, but it's hard to think of small things that could help with that.
 
LumberJack

LumberJack

Huggy Bear 🐻
#4
#4
Love the idea. Especially cards with DBT coping skills. I know these have helped me in the past.
I have a list of things that cheer me up (in the reminders app on my phone), but I'm also prone to forgetting to look at it when I feel awful. I have a fidget spinner somewhere around my apartment, but I lost it. Kind of interesting that my ADHD predisposes me to tendencies to be unable to access things that would help, grrr.

For sensory overload I like to listen to ASMR recordings. Lucky for me I respond very well to those. Heck just thinking about it gives me some mild tingles. There are a couple on my meditation app. Although these are also sensory input, it's calmer and nearly puts me to sleep. If you have the symptom of audio dysphoria, though, I would not recommend. Many of the ASMR sounds are also sounds that can trigger audio dysphoria in affected individuals.

Another go-to for me is tactile stimulation. When dissociated or feeling numb it helps me get back into my body. I recently found out that rubbing a soft, luxurious towel on my skin (even when it's dry) is soothing. I also have a couple brushes with soft bristles that I have set aside to brush over my arms. They have boar's hair bristles and one each that are soft, softer, and mildly scratchy. It's important go easy on the pressure because you don't want to scratch yourself. Should probably be avoided by those with self harm tendencies. When I'm nervous in a meeting or other conversation, I will hold my hands out of sight and rub one palm with the opposing thumb, which definitely calms my anxiety in those situations.

These are not physical objects, but hopefully might give you some related ideas. :)
 
S

silver-watercolors

Well-Known Member
#6
#6
LumberJack said:
Love the idea. Especially cards with DBT coping skills. I know these have helped me in the past.
I have a list of things that cheer me up (in the reminders app on my phone), but I'm also prone to forgetting to look at it when I feel awful. I have a fidget spinner somewhere around my apartment, but I lost it. Kind of interesting that my ADHD predisposes me to tendencies to be unable to access things that would help, grrr.

For sensory overload I like to listen to ASMR recordings. Lucky for me I respond very well to those. Heck just thinking about it gives me some mild tingles. There are a couple on my meditation app. Although these are also sensory input, it's calmer and nearly puts me to sleep. If you have the symptom of audio dysphoria, though, I would not recommend. Many of the ASMR sounds are also sounds that can trigger audio dysphoria in affected individuals.

Another go-to for me is tactile stimulation. When dissociated or feeling numb it helps me get back into my body. I recently found out that rubbing a soft, luxurious towel on my skin (even when it's dry) is soothing. I also have a couple brushes with soft bristles that I have set aside to brush over my arms. They have boar's hair bristles and one each that are soft, softer, and mildly scratchy. It's important go easy on the pressure because you don't want to scratch yourself. Should probably be avoided by those with self harm tendencies. When I'm nervous in a meeting or other conversation, I will hold my hands out of sight and rub one palm with the opposing thumb, which definitely calms my anxiety in those situations.

These are not physical objects, but hopefully might give you some related ideas. :)
Click to expand...
the list idea is really good! I should start one of those. I feel that about ADHD though xD I've got that too and I always forget to actually use my coping mechanisms, especially if there's steps involved (like I have to open my phone, open my notes app, find the note...). I'm hoping that having a box with stuff will help me remember to use these tools since they'll all be in one place.

Hmm, ASMR might work for me--I've actually found a couple ASMR channels recently that feel calming, but I'm very picky about what ASMR I like. I could bookmark those for when I'm overwhelmed though

I actually have a dry brush that I sometimes use for calming input, so that's a good idea for me to add! I totally forgot I had that. I've seen some small silicone brushes online (usually used for sensory integration therapy I think?) that could be good--they give a little sensory input but are too soft to be used in a harmful way as far as I can tell
 
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