A safety box can be called in various ways: a box of safety items, a crisis box, a box of anxiety, first aid, hope, comfort, calm, or reassurance box. You can even come up with your own name for it. The most important thing is that it is filled with items that help you to calm down and feel safer. When you feel sad, anxious, or have thoughts of suicide, open the box.
Remember, the safety box is yours and only yours, so it is very important that it contains items that help you to distract yourself and provide security.
What should the box look like?
In fact, it can look like anything, it can be a box, a bag, or a ceramic container. You can decorate it and personalize it. It is useful to have one box at home and one for traveling.
What should you put in the box?
You can put any items in the box that calm your senses or any other items that help you to distract yourself from the thoughts that arise during a crisis.
Here are a few examples:
- For touch: a stress ball, Rubik’s cube, massage oil or cream, clay, elastic band, etc.
- For sight: your favorite movie, photos of loved ones, lava lamp, repeating patterns, etc.
- Hearing: a USB drive with soothing sounds, your favorite music album, a musical instrument, sound-producing toys, etc.
- Smell: incense, spice jars, your favorite perfume, essential oils, scented candles, etc.
- Taste: favorite chocolate, tea, long-lasting sweets, etc.
- Other: safety plan, board game or puzzle, coloring book, etc.
If you’re short on ideas, browse the internet and see what other people put in their boxes.
How to use the box?
When you feel sad, anxious, or have suicidal thoughts, open the box and pick up one item after another until you calm down and feel safer.
You can always add more to your safety box.