Fill a box or bag of items that are meaningful to you and give you hope. It can also be a good idea to put in things that soothe your senses and help you to care for yourself. Self-care is not just necessary, it is essential. 

It is a good idea to include things that help to keep you distracted if you are experiencing distressing thoughts. Decorate your box as you wish – get creative! If you can’t put the item in the bag or box, then use a reminder of the item in the form of a picture. 

We’ve put together some example of things you could include but feel free to add anything that helps you. 

  • Pictures of friends and family
  • Magazines
  • Puzzle books
  • Positive coping statements
  • A prompt to go into nature
  • DVDs
  • Prompts for your favourite YouTube videos

  • A soft blanket
  • A grounding object
  • A fidget toy
  • Nail varnish
  • Bubble bath
  • Hand cream
  • Fluffy socks

  • Helpful numbers to call
  • A guided meditation
  • Some music to play or a picture of an instrument
  • Prompts to listen to a playlist that fills you with hope
  • An audio book

  • A cake mix
  • Popping candy
  • Camomile tea
  • Your favourite snack
  • Cuppa soup
  • Hot chocolate sachet

  • A spray of perfume on something from someone you love
  • Scented candle
  • Lavender spray