Finding Support from Anxiety Relief Kits

Ever since you were a child you have been taught to be prepared for emergencies. Schools taught emergency procedures for every type of emergency from a fire to an earthquake. We prepare for winter by covering outdoor faucets on our homes and putting snow tires on our cars. But we aren’t taught how to prepare ourselves for when anxiety hits. Irvine Christian Counseling can help guide you through these challenges.

If you’ve lived with anxiety for any length of time, you know that those moments of panic, that hot sensation creeping up your chest and flushing your face, can strike at any time and any place. The truth is, we can prepare for an anxiety attack by creating an anxiety relief kit tailored to our own unique needs.

Your mental health emergency kit should be filled with tangible items and ideas that bring you comfort, curated by you as a gift to your future self. Here are some ideas to help you create your own kit.

Something for Each Sense

One strategy to help manage anxiety is to distract each of your senses, so be sure to include an item that can be enjoyed through each of your senses in your mental health first aid kit.

Sight:

Fill your kit with images that bring you joy. A photo of your family or a favorite pet is a good place to start. You could also add postcards from favorite destinations or something interesting to look at like a kaleidoscope or binoculars to look through if you want to enjoy nature. A pair of sunglasses or an eye mask may help if your anxiety is coming from overstimulation.

Sound:

Add a set of noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones or even simple ear plugs into your kit in case you want to drown out the noise of the world. You might also want to add a list of songs that are encouraging, such as praise and worship songs or tunes that are just plain fun to listen to.

Smell:

A small vile of lavender essential oil can bring peace to an anxious heart. You could also include scratch and sniff stickers, potpourri, or a scented candle. A small bottle of a loved one’s perfume can also bring comfort.

Taste:

Include a small, tasty treat in your anxiety relief kit. Some chewing gum, peppermint candy, or flavored water all help distract you in a moment of stress.

Be sure to add an item that offers a tactile experience. You might include a piece of soft fabric or satin ribbon, a fidget toy, a smooth stone, or a stress ball. If practical, you could also include homemade slime or clay for an enriched tactile experience.

Having these items at your disposal at the onset of an anxiety attack will bring comfort and help you deal with your emotions immediately.

Other Items to Include in an Anxiety Relief Kit

To make a comprehensive kit, you should consider adding anything you may need in a moment of stress. Here are a few more ideas:

Comfort Item:

This could be a teddy bear or familiar blanket or anything that mentally and emotionally connects you to a comforting place.

Scripture References:

Fill a notebook with some comforting Bible verses you can access when you’re feeling anxious.

Provisions:

Sometimes anxiety can be sparked by dehydration or hunger. Include a bottle of water and a healthy snack such as a granola bar into the kit. Think about other needs you may have, too, and include items to meet them such as a phone charging cord, lip balm, or pain management medicine.

Management Technique Reminders:

Do you have a phrase that brings you comfort such as “Nothing is as bad as it seems” or another phrase that might remind you that you are safe? Consider writing these phrases down on a piece of paper and putting them in your anxiety relief kit. If you have a tried-and-true breathing technique or thought process that brings you peace, write that down too to remind yourself in a moment of anxiety.

Creative Outlet:

Include a coloring book and crayons, a sketch pad, or a notebook in your kit. If you knit or crochet consider keeping yarn on hand. The next time you are feeling stressed, take a moment to focus on a creative endeavor instead of your anxiety.

Unpreparedness can trigger anxiety, so the very act of having a kit at your disposal will give you a sense of preparedness and reduce feelings of anxiety. And what a beautiful gift you can give to yourself when you’re at your most vulnerable.

Seek Professional Help for Anxiety Relief in Irvine

While these ideas can help you manage your anxiety, if you are experiencing anxiety that is hampering your daily life, it’s time to talk with a professional mental health specialist in Irvine. A therapist in Irvine, California can offer unique ideas tailored to your specific needs and situation to help you live a more peaceful life. To make an appointment with one of the counselors at Irvine Christian Counseling, give us a call today.