Creating a Wellness ToolBox

One of the best things that you can do for yourself when you have a mental illness is to create yourself a toolbox for when you are having a rough time. The toolbox is essential to maintaining good mental health even when depression is trying to suck you in and bring you down. WRAP by Mary Ellen Copeland is a great program for building a toolbox for yourself. However, if you can't get to a WRAP class, which I highly recommend, I have some ideas for you to make your own self- care toolkit. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be bringing you new projects and ideas to add to make your own toolbox.

The first thing that I think is important to do is to create a list of self-care ideas. It is best if most of the ideas are free or low-cost so that you don't have to depend on the money when you are feeling at your lowest. Having something great on your list but not having the money can even make you even more depressed.  Below are some ideas to put onto your own self-care list. Pick ones that you like and write them down. I recommend at least twenty or more ideas so that there is at least one thing you can feel comfortable picking when your mood has you really low.

Go for a walk                       Watch a fave Movie                     Eat a Fave snack
Snuggle a blanket                 Call a friend that you trust           Journal
Paint your nails                    Listen to calm/uplifting music     Meet a friend for coffee
Do a craft project                 Read a book                                 Have a friend come sit with you
Dance to some music           Text Friend(s)                              Play on Pinterest or other sites
Go for a Drive                      Window Shopping                       Read Sunday Comics
Pet an animal                        Eat dark Chocolate                      Do a puzzle
Call A crisis Line                  Call A Warm Line                       Volunteer
Go to a support Group          Have a Cry                                  Take a Nap
Watch a Funny Movie          Make a Gratitude List                  Watch YouTube
Punch a Pillow                     Meditation                                    Pray
*Write a love list                  Review Safety Plan                      Cooking

*Check out what a Love List is!
Alright, go create your list and hold onto it. It might be a good idea to find something like a small shoebox size tub to keep your tools in.