What is an emergency self-care kit and why you should have one for yourself.
We’re finally getting closer to the state of Illinois re-opening and subsequently trying to resume our new normal. Even though the time for the Illinois stay-at-home order is coming to an end, I still want to talk about this useful technique: an emergency self-care kit. That is because it is specifically designed for dealing with tension and stress you may experience on a day-to-day basis. Thus keeping your tension and stress levels low in the long-term.
…it is specifically designed for dealing with tension and stress you may experience on a day-to-day basis.
At the very beginning of the shutdown, and what seems like a lifetime ago, I created an emergency self-care kit for myself. I did this because I knew I was not going to be able to pursue my self-care routine as usual. Typical self-care such as receiving monthly massage therapy, weekly workouts at the gym, spending time with friends, etc. was no longer an option. This kit is designed to be a catch-all for a collection of items that help the owner (YOU) personally cope. Refer to this kit as soon as you are feeling anxious, tense, upset, confused, stressed, etc.
Now that we’re on the verge of lifting parts of the stay-at-home order, we may be have similar feelings as we had in the beginning. One thing in particular can be feelings of anxiety due to the anticipation of getting back to a normal routine. This is where having an Emergency Self-Care Kit can come in handy. It’s contents are personalized to offer you physical and emotional relief. Perfect while we’re itching to get back to life as normal.
What should you put in your own kit?
For example, in my own kit, I have a tennis ball, stretching strap, a favorite essential oil, good book, headphones, and more. I know these items will serve me when I’m not feeling my best. A tennis ball for releasing knots . A stretching strap for unwinding tight areas of my body. A favorite essential oil to diffuse that will put me in a good mood. A book and headphones to temporarily escape my surroundings. It doesn’t need to be complicated or elaborate. Just create a go-to catch-all of your favorite things.
Need ideas of how to assemble your own kit and what to put in it? Take a look at this quick video I made about what is in my own kit. It may give you some ideas about how to assemble your own.
Want more tips on how to relieve tension and stress during this difficult time or ANY difficult time? Refer to my list of self-isolation self-care tips.