Emotional First Aid Kit: 45 cards for self-care

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According to Wiseman, many of us fall into the trap of being over-optimistic about what we can get done in a day and berate ourselves if we fall short. "We work late to try and get it done, exhaust ourselves, stop making time for other activities, and a downward spiral begins." Not every technique will] suit everyone, but there is something out there for everyone. Understanding what makes you feel better when your mental health starts to slip means you can go straight to it when you recognize the signs," says Dr. Ward. On completion, participants will have an understanding of what PFA is, be able to identify who would benefit from support and how best to give help across the different age groups and also for those who might need extra support because of different needs. According to Dr. Ward, allocating time for yourself is considered self-care. Easier said than done, right? Busy diaries send mental wellbeing to the bottom of the list, but scheduling in you-time is a brilliant way of reducing overwhelm and anxiety.

Define the soul however you want – spirit, essence, psyche, etc. – I personally believe that our soul is the unchangeable, indestructible part of us that breathes and lives us, the part of us that always was and always will be and that we often forget to consciously tend to in the minutiae of our everyday human lives. Connect with someone, such as a friend or family member, a therapist or neighbor, even a stranger on a local hot line. When is it that you feel the stirrings of your soul? What place, activity, sound, or action helps you feel this part of you?And many people find it helpful to learn how to increase mental strength. This is another name for resilience, or the ability to handle difficult situations. The practice is similar to meditation, developing a connection between your mind and body through your breath. 6. Get outdoors However, sometimes, you may have an emotional emergency and just like responding to a physical emergency, having the right Emotional First Aid Kit can help. Last, but not least, I believe that designing tools that nourish and support our soul is an incredibly important part of any emotional first aid kit.

Who in your life could you safely share your feelings with? A friend? A family member? Your therapist? (Yes, a therapist can be a tool in your emotional first aid kit!) Either read them at random, using the cards to pay attention to your inner thoughts and feelings, or focus on specific cards that you identify with - no matter your approach these cards will allow you to better understand how your mind works, and help you develop positive coping strategies. Collect together items that are meaningful, or those you know will be helpful. If you cannot put the item in the bag or box, then perhaps use a reminder of the item, for example, a picture of an iPod, mp3 player, computer or games machine. Include items that will help soothe all your senses: Dr. Rachel Ward says, "like everything in health, prevention is always better than cure, and the same goes for mental health. Knowing your feelings and identifying when your mental wellbeing isn't where it should be, allows you to put steps in place to gain control before you enter a negative spiral."So today I want to lead you through some inquiries to help you identify what might make it into your emotional first aid kit for those times when life just feels overwhelming. Emotional First-Aid Kit 101: What It Is and Isn’t: Your idea of a tool may just be the thing that sparks inspiration and creates support for someone else so please share generously. I can’t wait to hear what you come up with!