Here’s my survival pack

I didn’t have a lot of time this week to work on a blog post, so I’m going to bring you something that will hopefully help anyone struggling with their own mental health. This is just a quick list of things that have helped me throughout my journey, but I know everyone else is different and not everything that works for me will work for you. Even so, I hope you find some of these to be helpful! I have a combination of ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, and PTSD so consider these tips useful for those disorders. But remember! We are not our disorder!

WHAT SHOULD I GET? THINGS TO INVEST IN.

·      Adult coloring books

·      Calendar/scheduler/organizer- apps, notebooks, and planners! MAP OUT YOUR DAY!

·      Compression socks/gloves

·      Fidget toys- playdough, silly puddy, stress balls

·      Games- apps, board games, card games, Gameboy, Nintendo DS, puzzles

·      Pill organizer- TAKE YOUR PILLS and VITAMINS.

·      PREGNANCY PILLOW

·      Tempur-pedic pillows

·      Therapy Binder- information, worksheets, and history

·      Weighted blanket

·      White board- WORK OUT YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, STRUGGLES.

WHAT CAN I DO? READ BELOW. SOME OF THESE YOU CAN DO LAYING DOWN IN BED.

·      ASMR therapy! This saved my life! Check it out on YouTube.

·      Buy something you’ve been wanting (bonus points if it’s not so much $$$ it’ll stress you out later).

·      Create a new board on Pinterest!

·      Go for a walk or drive.

·      Have a snack- it doesn’t have to be healthy!

·      Journal your thoughts and feelings. I use a journal app on my laptop, but a diary is useful too! Order yourself a new diary for an extra boost!

·      Listen to your favorite book. Or listen to your favorite podcast. Or if you’re feeling an extra boost, listen to a NEW book or podcast.

·      Object permeance (especially for PTSD)- hold an object in your hand and focus on every aspect of it for a minute or MORE

·      Make a new playlist

·      Text one person or if you’re up for it, call someone in your support circle. And then push yourself to visit with someone for 30 minutes. Next, invite a friend to a movie. And slowly, socializing again will get easier.

·      TIMERS- just do five minutes. that’s more than nothing. as a bonus, get an hourglass sand timer.

If I think of more tips, I’ll add them later. Hope this helps!