Distraction Box

[Stawberry_Lollipops]

It has been eight months since I've Sied.

What occurred to me the other day is that rather than try and learn new coping methods during these past eight months & ways to deal with urges, I've merely just been repressing everything instead which I don't think is good if I want to continue SI free.

I've decided to make a 'distraction box' to help with the urges. I bought a lovely blue box yesterday but I'm unsure what to actually put in it. Any suggestions? Have any of you made distraction boxes before & what was useful for you? Or what distractions work well for you?

Ness

[Jamas]

Cool idea, Ness! And ... CONGRATS on the !

I don't have a distraction box, but I do have a "psych first aid" kit that I take with me everywhere, and it's got a little bottle of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, a little bottle of lavender essential oil that I can sniff to calm down & focus, and a tiny bottle of bubble solution with a loop-stick so that I can blow bubbles any time of the day, and blow all of my stressors and problems away. In the past, I had a smooth stone with the word "Courage" engraved on it, that I could "worry" at by rubbing it between my fingers. During the school year, I keep a small pocket Bible with me, written in Italian, so that I can take it out and try to read it whenever I need distraction. I also used to keep photos of loved ones in my wallet, so I could pull them out and think of them when I needed comfort.

Best of luck with your own box!

Wishing you happy distractions,

-Jamas

[Roxi]

I've made one before. Useful things I've put in it were a list of reasons I wanted to stop SI and a list of reasons why I do not deserve to be hurt to read when I feel I do. I also had bubbles like Jamas Bubble are AWESOME ! I had a printed out page of the before questions as well. I made it a long time ago so I can't remember what else; I think I had a slinky and some pretty crystals and stones. Something else which helped was printing that really long list of coping mechanisms. I highlighted all the ones which I had found helpful in the past / thought would be helpful in the future so that when I was overwhelmed looking at a 15 page list would not be even more overwhelming and the most helpful options stood out.
hope this helps

[Heidi4DBT]

I think that is a great idea. I learned about making one called a hope box.

[Jamas]

That sounds cool! Kind of like Pandora's box, in reverse...

What kinds of things would one put in a hope box?

[Stawberry_Lollipops]

Oh dear, it seems I have neglected this thread

However thanks all so much for your suggestions. Greatly appreciated! I did end up making a distraction box in the end. I put a lot of different things in it; a stress ball, list of reasons NOT to SI, a photo album of happy memories/people that meant a lot to me, a puzzle book, coloured paper and pencils, bubble wrap (this stuff could entertain me for hours ) some coloured beads and elastic to make bracelets/necklaces out of and I think I may even have put some chocolates in there too

I absolutely love the idea of the bubbles! I shall have to hunt some down to put in my box now!

The hope box sounds awesome too. Maybe you could put a list of dreams/hopes/aspirations/goals for the future? Or an object or something that symbolises hope to you...

Ness

[Stormy Llwellyn]

I have a polished rock at work that I rub when I am stressed. At home I have an old toy and I am not sure you can get them anymore. It's a Spirograph. It makes drawings by using different size gears.It's very relaxing. I never thought of bubbles! I will have to get some also.
Mike

[SplinteredGirl]

i love the spirograph idea! havnt seen one in years.

you could try some crayons, some paints. i like to melt was crayons sometimes (if candles arnt a trig for you) some scented candles, a coloring book, a notebook to vent in. something to mold with your hands. a picture or letter of/from a loved one. a picture of your pet. a picture of you as a child.

[mande]

I have pictures of my prom, C's college ID from '98 , the ticket stubs from a trip to Michigan, some currency from Jamaica C brought back for me. I should add some lists in there..

[Neviah]

i have a colouring book and crayons under my bed

[Stawberry_Lollipops]

The Spirograph sounds awesome Mike! I haven't seen one in agess, not since I was a kid I don't think. It must be such a good distraction

Melting crayons sounds like fun too
Will have to get myself some crayons and a colouring book I think.

Ness

[Neviah]

Melting crayons sounds like fun too

bet it smells vile though lol

[Stawberry_Lollipops]

lol yes, it probably wouldn't smell very nice but I still think it might be fun. Melting things has always intrigued me, god knows why

[Neviah]

m... i used to find burning tissues amazing. (DO NOT DO IT) mum still doesnt know where that burn in the carpet came from (oops)

[Annybelly]

I love spirograph! I had one when I was abour 5 or 6.. so that was, what, 8 or 9 years ago maybe? I had my mums old one as well!

[volta]

i have a mini-spirograph kit. you can get them from the toy section at the grocery store for under three dollars here.

[Stormy Llwellyn]

I had no idea that so many people would like the spirograph idea! I also love to color in a coloring book! Way cool ideas. Great thread!

[Neviah]

U used to have spirographs but i could never quite make it work

[angelic212]

i had an emergency box a long time ago.

i dont have one anymore , but just reading through this post , i think i will make another emergency box,

its always good and helpful to have one.
you never know when you need it.

thanks for the ideas


i would also include a cd of my favorite songs.
and a cd of songs that one of my pen pals sent me.

[SplinteredGirl]

wow i forgot about this.. i wonder where mine is..