Monday, 24 November 2014

Emergency coping skills tool-box!



Emergency coping skills tool-box!
This is essentially a box that you fill with various items that you find useful as coping skills to aid you in dealing with triggering situations in order to utilize self-care and bring yourself to a calmer, safer emotional place.
Everyone has their own likes and has certain things that work better for them. I’m still working on my box, but this is what I have so far:
  • Sensory: lotion, soft blanket, granola bars, bubbles, candles and matches, bath salt mix, smooth stone, perfume, stress ball, tea (Note: some of the best calming teas are kava kava, chamomile, and St. John’s Wort).
  • Distractions: markers, sudoku, coloring books, word searches, rubber bands
  • Reframing thoughts/mindset: positive affirmation cards, DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) worksheets (xx) inspirational book, favorite/helpful quotes, phone list of supportive people I could call and hotlines (xxxx)  self injury hotline: 1 800-366-8288, SARK inspiration line: (415) 546-3742
Recommended additional items:
  • A mix cd— either intense music to help you get rid of all your excess energy, or music that feels calmer to you to help you mellow out
  • A favorite DVD
  • Extra cigarettes, if you smoke and are not trying to quit
  • Candy, gum or lozenges 
Inspired by:
"Oh shit box" by Self Care After Rape

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