What’s an anxiety kit and a calm box?
An anxiety kit is a lot like a tool kit. It has the tools that you need to feel better in any stressful or overwhelming situation you may face in public settings. A calm box has a similar to the anxiety kit but is something that you’d keep and use when your feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. Both the anxiety kit and the calm box are tools to help you beat anxiety caused my overwhelming or stressful situations. You can choose to carry an anxiety kit in your purse or stash a few comforting items in their car or keep a box of comforting items at home.
Why should you have an anxiety kit or a calm box?
Anxiety isn’t something you can predict. Sometimes you’ll be waiting in line at the grocery store and have an unexpected panic attack. Other times it might be a comment from someone that brings up past trauma, and you’ll find yourself struggling to get past it. Whatever situation it may be, having an anxiety kit or calm box comes in handy.
What should you keep inside your anxiety kit or a calm box?
It’s up to you to determine what comforting items to include in your anxiety kit or calm box. You can choose to create a list in a notebook or your phone of things to do when your feeling overwhelmed. Or carry around comforting items. When you’re creating an anxiety kit or calm box, think about the ways you deal with your anxiety. Do you stop eating, fidget, bite your nails, think negatively, or turn to self-harm?
By identifying the ways you deal with anxiety, you’ll be able to create a calm box or anxiety kit, that is effective and tailored to your needs. But if you are unsure of how to start here are some useful items, actions, and reminders to include in your anxiety kit or calm box.
Fidget Toys
Fidget toys can help you stay grounded and reroute anxious energy. If you find yourself biting your nails or picking at split ends fidget toys can give your hands something else to do.
Candy or Granola Bars
When things start to become overwhelming, we tend to forget to eat. Consider keeping a granola bar or a few pieces of your favorite candy in your kit or box. Having something to eat when you’re feeling overwhelmed may help you calm down.
Headphones
Headphones and music can help drown out the rest of the world when you’re having a break down in public. So pull up your hoody and close your eyes and go to your happy place.
Journal
Bottling up your thoughts and feeling can be toxic. So consider carrying a notebook and pen so you can write get your thoughts on paper so you can sort out and process difficult thoughts.
Crossword Puzzle, Coloring Book or Word Search
Having something to work on is a great way to shift your focus from an anxiety attack. Consider keeping crossword puzzles, coloring book, or a word search inside your kit or box, and pulling them out when your anxiety hits. It may help take your mind off what’s bothering you.
Tissues
List of Resources
You don’t have to go through things alone, and It’s ok to reach out for help. Keep a list of phone numbers you can call when you need help. In my post Ways to Help People Struggling With Their Mental Health, there’s a free printable that has a list of suicide prevention resources. You can print it out an carry it with you and reach out if you need extra help getting through an anxiety attack.
What to leave out your anxiety kit or calm box?
Extra Anti-Anxiety Medication
Drugs & Alcohol
Any type of alcohol or drugs can be far more harmful than helpful. They may offer instant relief from anxiety, but that relief is only temporary. The more often you drink or use drugs, the higher your chances are to develop a substance use disorder.
If you are currently having suicidal thoughts or are considering hurting yourself or others, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and representatives can help you understand and overcome suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
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Love this idea but with 2 kids I think I’ll need a bigger box
For sure! The great thing about anxiety kits and calm is there’s no right or wrong way to put one together. So you can even use a storage tote or a backpack.
My daughter struggles with anxiety. This is a least an actionable way for me to “do something” for or with her to help. You feel so powerless as a parent. Thank you.
It’s my pleasure, and thank you for stopping by. It’s tough dealing with that feeling, but these tools can help with that feeling and being able to do something to ease the symptoms of anxiety.
Absolutely love this idea! It is something I should have had long ago, but it’s better late than never.
Thank you so glad you like it.
That’s right better late than never.
Good ideas. I like the crossword puzzle. I just did an easy one yesterday an it was fun.
Thank you, and crossword puzzles are a great way to pass the time.
These are great ideas! My phone and book never fail to calm me in such situations.
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Thank you!
That’s great, both come in handy for me too, in stressful situations.