Not too long ago, many individuals have been discussing Psychological Well being First Support kits.
These emergency kits have been round since October of final yr. They had been created by three paramedics, Brad Sadat-Shafai, Dylan McAteer and Kyle Raffo, founders of MERE [Medical Emergency Response Equipment].
It was a stable thought. However the precise Psychological Well being First Support Kits had been somewhat lackluster. They contained simply fundamental gadgets like a stress ball, sensory dice, and Cognitive Behavioral Remedy playing cards.
I liked the concept itself although. And it did get me considering. What would I put in my very own Psychological Well being First Support Equipment? Properly, my three cats, clearly. However past that…?
Let me present you what I’d put in my very own Psychological Well being First Support equipment. And observe that the majority of these items is completely free and you’ll simply put the equipment collectively your self, which I like to recommend you do when you learn. Then, if you happen to ever undergo a tough second, you possibly can attain to your Psychological Well being First Support equipment to get the reduction you want.
Let’s Make Our New Psychological Well being First Support Kits
Only a observe earlier than we begin. I’ve intentionally stuffed this listing with low cost or free gadgets you possibly can simply get your fingers on. And I’ve tried to restrict the dimensions of the “Equipment” so you possibly can simply carry it round with you. Lastly, each merchandise on this equipment is confirmed to assist with psychological well being.
1: Photos of household and buddies smiling [No, not those ones]
Now, all of us have completely different ideas and emotions about our household. And never all of them are optimistic. Nevertheless, it’s a good suggestion to have photos of household and buddies readily available. And solely photos of people that make you are feeling optimistic.
Select a couple of photos of individuals you’re keen on smiling, and maintain them with you. You possibly can take a look at these photos to remind your self of comfortable instances and to recollect your assist community.
Now, you is likely to be considering, “I have already got pics on my telephone and on social media. Why do I must print them?”
Factor is, if you happen to look by the photographs in your telephone or, heaven forbid, on social media, additionally, you will be flooded with all kinds of different photographs, a few of which might produce destructive ideas and emotions. You don’t need that. You need to solely take a look at the photographs that make you are feeling heat inside.
Print some comfortable photos of household and buddies that make you are feeling good. Carry these with you.
2: Stress-free music with nature sounds, plus headphones [BUT…]
Analysis from the Nationwide Academy of Sciences reveals that listening to nature sounds can enhance temper, lower stress, and reduce ache. And different analysis reveals that listening to enjoyable music can relieve anxiousness and even steadiness blood stress.
Have some enjoyable music with nature sounds downloaded to your telephone, and maintain headphones with you. Bonus factors if they’re noise canceling headphones so you possibly can block out background noise.
Once more, you is likely to be tempted to simply bounce on Youtube and seek for enjoyable music. For those who do this, additionally, you will have to look at advertisements and be uncovered to a flood of different data. Bear in mind, for our Psychological Well being First Support equipment, we need to restrict ourselves to solely enjoyable and optimistic issues. So obtain some music to your telephone so you possibly can take heed to it with out being uncovered to anything.
3: Merchandise of jewelery that reminds you of your beliefs / values
There’s one merchandise that I all the time have on me. It jogs my memory of my values and jogs my memory to remain aware. That merchandise is my meditation mala.
Private items of jewelery like my mala will help to remind us of what issues. As an illustration, a bracelet or watch engraved with a quote that issues to you possibly can make it easier to to see the larger image. It will possibly remind you of your values and of what actually issues in life, and that light reminder can do wonders once you hit a tough patch.
Simply by sporting my mala, I’ve a continuing reminder to meditate and to be aware.
You can too obtain the identical factor with a tattoo someplace in your physique the place you possibly can simply see it anytime it is advisable.
4: Merchandise out of your childhood for nostalgia
Amazingly, years in the past nostalgia was thought-about a psychological well being situation. As we speak, nevertheless, specialists recognise that nostalgia has an exquisite impact on psychological well being.
Constantine Sedikides, a researcher on the College of Southampton, states that nostalgia will help cut back loneliness, boredom, and anxiousness.
That’s why it’s best to put a childhood merchandise in your Psychological Well being First Support Equipment. Make it one thing small however vital to you, one thing that reminds you of your childhood.
For me, it’s my little assortment of gem stones that I purchased throughout one of many happiest instances of my life: once I was touring England onstage as an actor. The stones are sufficiently small to maintain in my pocket, they usually convey up some fantastic reminiscences.
So, select a small merchandise that makes you are feeling nostalgic.
5: Small notepad and pen
Once you’re feeling blue, among the best issues to do is to jot down down your ideas and emotions.
Once you write your ideas down on paper you launch these ideas into the world. You additionally improve your mindfulness as a result of you may be verbalising what’s in your thoughts.
Lots of my meditation college students prefer to maintain a meditation journal, and you’ll select to jot down your journal within the enlightened means. That’s, by practising aware writing.
6: Much more gadgets to your Psychological Well being First Support Equipment
The above are my private favourite gadgets to incorporate in a Psychological Well being First Support Equipment. However listed here are some extra gadgets you would possibly like to think about:
- Floral essences
- Pocket statue of your deity (e.g. Buddha)
- Stress balls
- Cognitive behavioral remedy playing cards
- Health watches that monitor stress ranges
- Varied instruments for meditation
7: Me
Okay. So you possibly can’t match me in your pocket. However you possibly can carry your telephone on you, entry this web site, and e book a personal on-line meditation lesson with me anytime you want. Once you need assistance, I’m right here for you.
And that’s it!
With this Psychological Well being First Support equipment, you’ve loads of little gadgets which you could carry with you and use anytime you want them.
Paul Harrison is a passionate meditation instructor who believes in real, genuine meditation. He has greater than 15 years expertise in meditation and mindfulness. He studied meditation in stunning Oxford, UK, and Hamilton Ontario Canada, and earned his diploma at Staffordshire College.
“My aim is to supply probably the most genuine meditation periods so you possibly can harness the ability of your personal thoughts for private transformation” – Paul Harrison