DIY Self-Care Kit
Whether it's for yourself or someone that you know that struggles with a mental illness or lack of confidence, a self-care kit is a really easy, affordable way of looking after yourself wherever you are. A self-care kit can be an assortment of different things. They may be items that are practical and useful at the time or objects that are surrounded by comforting and reassuring memories that may help you to secure, comfortable and calm when you are in a difficult situation. Here is a super simple 'recipe' that you can follow to create your very own self-care kit.
First, it's important to figure out who you are making this kit for. It could be for yourself, a friend or family member. If you are making it as a gift, try to incorporate some of that person's favourite things and items that they will enjoy and find useful in stressful situations.
Choose the container that you will keep your kit in. It could be a decorated box or pretty pouch that you can slip into your bag when you're on the go. You can even make slightly smaller and larger versions of your self-care kit for different situations like school, work, and travel depending on what you or the person you are making this for's situation is.
Now you have to choose the items to add to your self-care kit, starting with the basics. Here is a list (yes, I love lists!!) of some things that I have found really helpful to have on me when I'm on the go and when I need some downtime.
1. My Phone
You may be surprised, but my phone has been a huge game changer and still is when it comes to my mental health. It is now my personal planner, contains all my healthy habits like meditation, healthy eating, yoga and working out through apps and can distract me from stressful and emotionally draining situations with music, organising my blog and designing posts for social media. As long as you are not spending to much time on your phone or computer, they can be great game changers for looking after yourself. Make sure to bring earphones and a charger as well.
P.S. I want to write a blog post on apps and websites that every girl boss should have to help organise and get their lives together. Comment down below, DM me on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook or send me an email if you have any apps or extensions that you have found helpful and useful when it comes to breaking and making habits and planning out your time so you can use it productively.
2. Essential Oils
Essential oils have so many amazing health benefits and healing powers (another blog post!!). Essential oils reduce stress, relax your body, soothe muscles, balance hormones, improve digestion, heal skin conditions, fight illnesses and have an instant effect on your physical, emotional and mental health. Some oils that you should definitely keep in your self-care kit are orange, lemon, sandalwood, lavender, vetiver, frankincense and ylang-ylang. Blends that are worth buying are peace, breathe, beautiful, clary calm, motivate, balance, cheer, passion, elevation and citrus bliss. All of these single oils and blends can be bought on the doTERRA website. I really recommend buying a few of these oils and using them, researching how to diffuse, rub them on your skin and use them properly for the best results.
3. Journal and Pen
If you haven't read my other post about journaling, then I really recommend it. Journaling can help you express your feelings, organise your thoughts and plan what you're going to do next and what steps you have to take. Use different techniques like lists, mind maps, flow charts and drawings. Track your triggers, habits or even routines and visualise your goals and intentions for the next day, week, month and year. Some new, cute stationary is also a fun and motivating way to start journaling if you want to get into that routine.
4. Colouring Book
You may have seen or heard of the adult colouring books that became a trend a few years ago. Apart from being super aesthetic, colouring is a therapeutic, calming and relaxing method that helps you to ground yourself into your surroundings and release the tension that could be building inside your thoughts without you realising. You can easily purchase affordable, pocket-sized colouring books with pretty pictures and patterns for you to colour in on the go.
5. Warm Clothing
There's nothing better than getting into some warm socks, an oversized jumper and fluffy rug at the end of the day with a warm beverage. Make sure to include something warm in your pack, depending on the size and add some tea bags or hot chocolate mix with a travel mug so you can stay warm.
Image by rocknwool.
6. Beauty Products
Hand lotion, face mask, lip balm or concealer, always keep a few things in your kit that you can use when you need to touch up your makeup, soothe your dry lips or to stay clean. I always feel more refreshed and motivated when I'm clean and comfortable so include some natural, skin-friendly items to your beauty pouch that's inside your self-care kit.
7. Snacks
Healthy, wholesome snacks like nuts, muesli, fruit, crackers, popcorn, raw produce and homemade, organic slices are good options for the health conscious people out there like me who like to keep their energy up with food that will nourish your body and support your bodies digestive system. Blend up a smoothie with a protein kick or chop up some fruit or vegies to dip into a fresh pot of hummus for some extra nutrients in between meals.
8. Books and Magazines
Your favourite books and magazines are awesome alternatives to movies and TV shows that can become addicting and distracting. Grab a book before you leave the house or add your favourite issue of the magazines to your kit for entertainment and education.
9. Yoga Mat
Depending on the size of your bag or box, a yoga mat is something that can be bought at stores like Kmart and Target, online or in activewear stores, the price depends on the quality that you want your mat to have. There is a huge range on the market that all offer different performance standards, based on the style that you want. Add your rolled up yoga mat into your self-care kit and start taking yoga classes at practice it at home. For more ideas and inspiration purchase Lola Berry's book The Yoga Body.
10. Tissues and Bobby pins
Two things I always seem to need but never have on me.
I really hope that you can get creative with this list and add in your own things. There are so many ideas, the list could just go on!! Decorate the bag or box, write little positive notes and messages to go with each item and fill the whole thing with confetti and glitter!! If you do DIY your own self-care kit, make sure to take a photo and tag me on Instagram at happy_thoughts_blog.
See you next Monday xox