Theme: Looking Ahead
Saturday Senses: Day 22
Task: Mental Health First Aid Kit
Today I want you to make a Mental Health First Aid Kit. For some of you literal types you will need to get yourself a shoe box and start filling it up. For others you can make a handy list in case of a mental health crisis. The idea is that when you are in crisis you often can’t think of what you need so if you have your mental health first aid kit, you won’t have to rely on remembering what you should be doing.
In your Mental Health First Aid kit include something for each of your five senses. You can look for hints in the tasks we have already done. For example, your theme song likely belongs in your first aid kit.
Hearing: What songs/sounds would you need to calm yourself down? Can you sit and imagine it or do you need to have it on hand?
Taste: What are your comfort foods? Some junk food ones are inevitably on the list. The good thing is these are easily on hand. Try to also include a list of things that you love. Maybe a recipe for your Grandma’s peanut butter cookies or a particularly good roast.
Smell: What are comforting smells to you? For me it is Indian food. The smell just makes me happy. For some it is lotions or candles. Whatever it is put it in your kit.
Touch: What feels good? For my kids it is their PJs and their stuffies. It could be a pet’s fur (please don’t put your pets in the box), or a favorite sweater. Find something that can help ground you when times are stressful. In my office I keep Play-Doh and those dollar store squishy balloon animals for clients’ moments of unrest.
Sight: What do you like to look at to calm down? Can you go there in your imagination or do you need a picture to remind you? Put it in your First Aid Kit.
Don’t forget to include your positive affirmation from previous weeks and a reminder to take care of your basic needs first. If all else fails, look here for a pre-made kit.
Silly Sunday: Day 23
Task: People Watch
Here is a variation on our take a walk exercise. Living in the here and now is a hard task. Today I want you to people watch. Find a bench and sit. I used to do this as a child and make up stories about the people around me and their lives. There were many spies and secret affairs in my imagination. What is in yours?
Manic Monday: Day 24
Task: Take a Day Off
Most of us are doing too much. Our minds and bodies don’t have time to slow down and enjoy all that life has to offer. Today I want you to think about what is important in your life and what is not. Then I want you to figure out how you can simplify at least one thing just for today. That may mean playing a board game with your kids instead of cleaning the kitchen, it may mean ordering dinner instead of cooking. Maybe it means just not answering the phone. The answer is up to you. Just take the day off whatever it is. Keep it simple though, taking the day off work may or may not be possible. I don’t want your employers coming after me.
Tension Tuesday: Day 25
Task: Get Creative
I hope you have some crayons, finger paints or Play-Doh hanging around. If you don’t, a simple pen and paper will do. We are all creative souls. Today I want you to create something that represents your mental wellness. Don’t judge, just do. It doesn’t have to be anything. It is just for you.
Weird Wednesday: Day 26
Task: Eat an Apple
This is an exercise in mindfulness. The idea is to take your time and experience the apple. This should take 3-5 min. If you don’t have an apple then any piece of fruit or other food will do. Let’s get started. Notice the apple. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What is its shape? What does it taste like? Are you able to focus on the experience or are you distracted?
Take the few minutes to really be present. Eat it slowly and try to be present and in the experience, that means no reading, texting, or Facebooking while eating your apple. In a world full of busyness we often don’t take the time to really be present in the moment. One of the foundations of good mental health is being present for yourself and those around you.
Thoughtful Thursday: Day 27
Task: Make a Bucket List
Today I want you to sit down and come up with a list of things that you want to do before you die. These can be wildly outrageous or small and simple. The idea is to sit quietly with yourself and look forward to the future and decide what is important to you.
Forward Friday: Day 28
Task: Post what you have learned from this experience.
Gratitude starts with thoughtfulness. Today I want you to write down what you have learned about yourself and about mental health from this experience. Many of you may not have completed every task. Don’t judge, you did what you needed to do. Many of you did it all silently watching from the sidelines but engaged in your heart. Good for you. Some were here religiously jumping right in. However you experienced this Boot Camp, take a moment and think about how you made time for you. If you want to share, I would love to hear your thoughts. If you want to keep that personal, that is okay too. Just make sure to give yourself a pat on the back for taking care of you.
Thanks for coming along on this journey. I hope you enjoyed it!