When you’ve had a long week and you’re finally at home resting, one of the best things you can do is pull out a DIY self care kit. Whoever came up with the idea of a DIY self care box deserves a big high-five. These emergency self care kits can pull you out of the worst weeks or days and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to hit the ground running. And let’s be honest… ain’t nobody got enough money to go to the spa or get a massage every time we have a bad day…
What to put in a self care box or DIY self care kit
These are things to include in a self care kit. This post is based around ideas though. So if you don’t like what I’ve suggested for your mental health self care kit, replace it with an item that works for you!
I wanted to cover all the basic elements of a DIY self care kit that have worked for me. If something I suggest doesn’t sit with you, then replace it with an item that does. After all, it’s about your self care!
Scent
Fun fact – your nose is a genius. It can understand up to 10,000 different orders.[ref]Complete Health – Deepak Chopra[/ref]. When we smell things, it goes through the nasal tissue, into our brain to an area called the hypothalamus and the limbic system. Why is this important?
- Hypothalamus System: This part of the brain manages SO many of our bodies functions such as temperature, thirst, hunger, growth, sleeping, waking, and emotions such as anger and happiness. When we smell something, it literally sends a message straight to your brain. To this small part that controls just about everything!
- Limbic System: The limbic system “processes emotions to an area called the hippocampus”. This is where our memory is controlled. Hence why certain smells always remind us of certain memories
So when we’re smelling something, we’re feeling good because we’re helping our brain feel better. There’s so many benefits to scents and aromatherapy which is why it’s number one in the DIY self care kit list.
What smells do you like? What do you find calms you down? Do you prefer more of a woods/tree, freshness? Or maybe you’re more a citrus gal. Either way, your DIY self care box needs some aromatherapy and essential oils to show your body and your brain a lil’ love.
Here are some aromatherapy and essential oil ideas for your DIY self care kit:
ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Essential Oil and Diffuser Gift Set
Ceramic Tea Light Candle Holder/Essential Oil Burner
Related content on self care
Self Care Sunday Date – How To Reset For The Week Ahead
My Mental Health Self Care Kit
15 Self Care Activities To Get You Out Of A Mental Health Rut
11 Self Care Ideas To Improve Your Mental Health (With A Free Printable!)
Sound
When I think of sound and self care I think of spa places. They always have just the right music to get us to wind down and relax.
So if you’re thinking of how to create your own DIY self care kit, don’t forget music! Studies have shown that music is one of the best ways to promote natural healing.
But music, because of its ubiquity in our society as well as its ease of transmission, has perhaps the greatest potential among alternative therapies to reach people who do not otherwise have access to care.[ref] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/brick-brick/201402/does-music-have-healing-powers[/ref]
In Ayurvedic medicine, music is known to help realign your body by adjusting our frequency of vibration. When we listen to music and feel amazing, it’s not just in our heads. Our bodies and minds can feel it too.
It’s an especially important part to have in an emergency self care kit or a mental self care kit.
Research demonstrates that adding music therapy to treatment improves symptoms and social functioning among schizophrenics (link is external). Further, music therapy has demonstrated efficacy as an independent treatment for reducing depression (link is external), anxiety (link is external) and chronic pain (link is external)[ref]https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/brick-brick/201402/does-music-have-healing-powers[/ref]
To find the best music for your DIY self care kit, it’s really what works for you. In Ayurveda medicine, it’s about what you find healing for yourself. But if you’re not sure, I use YouTube and search healing music (results are here).
[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvIIGZB2ww4″ /]
Ambience/Environment
Sometimes I walk into a room and I stress out. Just being around mess is enough to throw us out (and lower our vibrations). So the next best thing for your DIY self care box is to include something to help add to the ambience or environment.
At the moment I’ve really been getting into plants. They not only make a room feel fresh and amazing, but also help purify the air around us.
If you’re tight for room, there are great small plants like cacti that you can use to add to the space without taking up too much of it up.
Another great idea for your DIY self care kit is crystals!! You’ll find them all over Pinterest lately for two reasons 1) they’re absolutely amazing to keep around the house for your energy 2) they are also beautiful to look at.
Again, crystals can be big or small so depending on how much space you have in your home and self care goodie bag.
If crystals or plants don’t do it for you, then find some piece of décor that resonates with you. Something that you see and instantly feel calm around. It’s about adding things to your environment that promote healing and relaxation. After all, this is what your DIY self care box is for!
Lighting
Out of all the areas of my DIY self care kit, this is one of my favorite. While lighting fits into the environment/ambience category, I really felt for a DIY self care box it deserved its own section!
There are so many things to include in a self care kit when it comes to lighting.
My first choice is a salt lamp! Salt lamps mimic the ocean air. So not only are you getting all the benefits of the sea, but you’re getting a calming, moody light as well. This is something I’ve added to my house recently and I love having it on. Especially at night. It just gives good night, relaxation vibes.
If you’re on a budget, the next best addition to your self care goodie bag is tea lights. I don’t know what it is about tea lights but they remind of self care in movies! Think baths, with tea lights all around it and instantly you’ll feel calm. Tea lights are seriously cheap and can be put anywhere! Just keep an eye on what you keep them around (I may or may not have had a towel light on fire once…).
I use then on each side of my mat while I practice yoga. It works for me and I love it. But remember, your emergency self care kit is about what calms you. So if neither of these options think about other lighting you can add to your area or space… like tea lights!!! I could really go on about lighting in a DIY self care kit forever…
Self Care Book/Self Care Journal
Finally, the last of the things to include in a self care kit is a book or a journal. There’s nothing like self care than sitting during quiet time to self reflect or read.
Use your aromatherapy, put your salt lamp on, sit in your room with plants or your crystals and boom… you have a DIY self care kit ready to go!
Here are two posts you can look at to find either a book or self care journal to add to your self care goodie bag or DIY self care box:
Radiate Self Love: 14 Self Care Journals To Transform Your Mental Health
25 Self Care Books To Improve Your Mental Health
9 Of The Best Books To Help You Love Yourself More
So get going! Now you have all the ideas on how to create your own DIY self care kit, it’s time to create that goodie bag or box and get going. You’ll thank yourself later!
