I thought I would share a list of those things that help me regulate and provide comfort.
– Weighted Blanket. Best investment ever!
– Weighted lap pad which I use while driving and working/studying. It helps me focus a little better, and provides some comfort and deep pressure stimulation.
– The Rose Quartz stone my therapist gave me.
– Aroma dough. It’s like play-dough for adults, with the added benefit of healing essential oils. π (Website: http://aromadough.co.za)
– Hot Chocolate sachets.
– Pillow Mist (Lavender & Patchouli oils).
– Cuddly (soft toy).
– Baby blanket.
– A set of candles in beautiful crimson and azure blue glass containers.
– A pair of thick, fluffy socks.
– Lavender and vanilla hand lotion.
– A book of pictures of cute puppies.
– Vanilla soft-lips lip balm.
– Photo’s, letters and notes from those I love and care about.
– Essential oils and a diffuser: Peppermint, Lavender, Jasmine, Chamomile, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang. Will use one of these or a combination for specific purposes.
– USB drive with a couple of my favourite movies.
– Various fidget toys. I have the habit of playing with my hair, which isn’t a problem, but my dad used to yell at me when I do it around them, he hates it, so that’s where the fidget toys come in handy. Skin picking, chewing my fingers, etc… These toys all help. Wish I had had these while growing up.
– Noise cancelling headphones. I never leave the house without this.
– Chew toys (eg. Chewigem). I have a habit of chewing the inside of my cheeks and my lips, so I’ve found this helps when I feel the urge, or find myself unconsciously started. For some reason chewing gum doesn’t really work, as I still find myself chewing my mouth with the gum. I try to stay away from chewy sweets as the sugar, just like caffeine, makes me more worked up.
– Rainbow bubbles. These are awesome; they have this beautiful shimmer and different colours depending on the light and direction.
– Bullet Journal and favourite stationary. I started a bullet journal earlier this year, and it’s been so much fun and very helpful. I use it to keep track of my moods, habits, sleep, books, series, movies, favourite quotes, daily reflections, pre-therapy and post-therapy notes etc. If you don’t know what a bullet journal is and would like to learn more, here’s a nice link: https://littlecoffeefox.com/ultimate-bullet-journal-cheat-sheet/
So, these are some of my favourite things that help me cope with life and the world around me. What are yours?
12 responses to “My Self-Care/Self-Soothe/Sensory Kit”
Thats a really wonderful list, Rayne. I am going to use some of these suggestions. I just love my music and books of poetry and foot bathing, but I had not thought of some of these other things.
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I’m glad it could give you some ideas. π
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My therapist gave me a rose quartz stone too! I carry it everywhere. Is this some kind of therapy thing that they do?! Thanks for your support with my blog
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The reason my therapist gave me that specific thing was because there’s a quartz lamp in her office that I touch everytime I went into her office in the beginning. So this stone she gave me looks exactly like that just a tiny version. I have problems with object constancy (with attachment figures) so that’s the purpose the stone serves. To remind me of her and that shes there.
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You have so many great options. Good for you, Rayne. You gave me some great ideas! β€οΈ
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This list is amazing!! I honestly donβt know how I survived almost 40 years without my weighted blanket, but Iβm grateful to have had mine for the past 3. Truly a complete game-changer! And some of the other items on your list like the weighted lap thingy I didnβt even know existed! Looks like I have some shopping to do lol ππ
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Glad you liked it! π Oh yes, weighted blankets are one of the best “inventions” ever!
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Oh yes, I really did, and thank you so much for posting it! ππΌπ. Hehe truth about the weighted blankets! ππΌππΌ. I remember getting under mine when it first arrived, and thinking βoh my! So this is what itβs like to feel calm without being sleepy!β ππ
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I’m trying to build my own sensory kit. So far, I also have a chew toy (but it’s from Chubuddy because the chew necklace shape I wanted is half the cost of the same design on Chewigems), a fluffy spherical pillow my husband found when he bought me new headphones, and a weighted blanket that hasn’t been used lately. However, due to grad school stress, I started getting headaches from clenching my jaw, so last week I decided to use my kickboxing mouthguard so I can still clench my jaw without causing any pain.
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Sensory kits are the best. Great idea about the mouth guard… I should remember that one! Thanks for your comment. π
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You’re welcome. The mouth guard isn’t a typical part of my sensory kit since I need it for kickboxing, but I have always been an oral sensory seeker as it helps me calm myself.
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I’m with you on that. I did Muay Thai so still have mine as well. The best thing about sensory kits is that it can include anything we want, no matter how strange it may seem to others.
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