Bad days happen to everyone. We can have a really stressful day with the kids, at work, with our family, etc. These kinds of days zap your energy, your mood, and your sense of self-esteem and confidence to low levels.

Days like this can be very tough and can create a lack of motivation that sends us into a downward spiral. We want to avoid that spiral at all cost. Creating a self-care kit in advance will help you feel that you are at least supporting your mental and physical health even on these days. It will help you reduce your stress. Plus you will fill that you have still completed something to support your self-care.

Remember To Bring It Back To Basic Self-Care.

Bringing it back to your basic self-care will help re-centre you. But you also need a little extra TLC too. That is where having the self-care emergency kit’s prepared in advance will come in handy. The idea behind the kit is that they are filled with items that help us feel comforted and validated again.

It’s a good idea to use a physical box to keep things together. But some items may need to be kept virtually also. A physical box is a visual reminder that this kit is already set up and available at any time. Make sure to make it as tactile and stimulating to as many senses as possible.

What Do You Put Into An Emergency Self-Care Kit?

1. Books Movies or TV shows: Online lists or a physical copy kept in your box. You can also keep a copy of your favourite Show/Film on DVD or box set in your box.
2. Music: Playlists or cds/records, yes some of us still like those. All of these lists must be positive and you can have several. For example: one for a workout, one for your power hour, one for work (when possible), one for relaxing (definitely have this, even if it only plays in the background), one particularly up lifting one, full of songs that always make you feel good.
3. Physical Treats in a box: Chocolate, mints, or favourite sweets, candles, bath/body products or pamper items you like to use. Try to incorporate all your senses. You might get some ideas from my posts on healthy habits using the senses.
4. Favourite recipes or comfort food recipes. Keep these recipes on hand in one place. Again either in an online or in your box. It is also a good idea to have the main ingredients in your fridge and cupboard so you can make these meals at any time. Sometimes you just have to get practical. Especially, when you haven’t much time and you have kids to feed. Make sure you have some easy meals in the freezer to help on the more stressful or tiring days.
5. Comfort Items. These items might not fit into your box. But keep them where you can get them quickly. So include: warm blanket/throw, sweatshirt/jumper, warm fluffy socks, sweat pants, etc., you get the idea.
6. My Positive Supporters List. These people must be positive and supportive to you. Include phone number, address and email in your physical box, as you mightn’t have access to you mobile or tablet when you need it. Reach out and talk to one person on that list who can give you the support you need right now.
7. Favourite Places to Visit List. This list can be used if you want to get out in nature. Which can be very uplifting. But when we feel down we might not think about going to these places. Keeping a list on hand will allow you to access that information quickly for inspiration.
8. Mantra’s or Affirmations. These are copies of positive phrases that replace your negative self-talk. You should be using them daily until you feel them deep within you. You can also you them as passwords. As reminders that pop-up on your screen. So you are constantly reminded of them. But you can also keep positive quotes that cheer you up. Or remind you to stay motivated, inspired, etc.
9. Journal and pen. You’ll probably already have one by your bed. So don’t forget to grab it and journal out all your thoughts. Even doing a brain dump can help release some of the pressure and allow you to relax more.

Don’t forget to replace the items as you use them. Now it’s over to you.

My Book.

Did you know I talk about basic self-care in my workbook The Building Blocks Of Self-Care? The steps in this workbook will help you lay the foundations to rebuilding a more balanced life. You can purchase it on Amazon or here in my shop.