How To: DIY Your Travel Sensory Kit
what is a sensory kit?
A sensory kit is something you keep with you; whether in your car, at work or at home, that you can use when feeling stressed & overwhelmed. It consists of things that specifically target your senses (touch, taste, sound, smell & sight) to help you come back to the present moment. Items like fidget toys, stress balls, squishy toys or even crystals/geodes are perfect for sensory kits.
WHAT’S THE POINT OF A SENSORY KIT?
Your sensory kit is your own personal self care kit that engages your senses & allows you to bring your focus into the present moment. Think about it: when you’re stressed, your mind races. You’re consumed with all the things you have to do and how little time you have to do those things. That rollercoaster can quickly spiral & make you feel like you don’t have control. When you take out any of the items in your sensory kit and play with them, even for just 5 minutes, you may notice a reduction in your stress level, a slowing of that mental rollercoaster, and may even feel you have more clarity. This is the goal: to lessen the shitty feelings.
HOW DO I USE MY TRAVEL SENSORY KIT?
Once you have your kit put together and you’ve decided where to keep it, you can practice using the pieces in your sensory kit any time you’re feeling like you’re losing your shit. When you’re overwhelmed at work, when you’re mad at your spouse or when the shit from the past is bubbling back up; those are the perfect times to take advantage of some self care.
Take out any item from your sensory kit. Give yourself permission to take your time as you hold that item. Notice the detail of that piece; the intricate colors, shapes, sounds, smells and even tastes. Pay attention to how that item feels in your hands (does it feel rough, smooth, soft, squishy, hard?). Are there certain sounds or smells this item has? Is it something you can taste, and if so, what does it taste like? Is it sweet or sour? Bring all of your senses into the present as you observe and describe each detail of the piece. When you do this, notice the relief in tension you may feel throughout your body. Allow your mind to slow and any worry to slip away naturally. The more you practice, the more equipped you will be at using your sensory kit.
WHERE CAN I FIND ITEMS TO PUT IN MY SENSORY KIT?
Good news! You don’t have to travel far to find items to add to your sensory kit. You can use anything you have at home! Scented lip balm, small candles, music, children’s toys…there really is no limit to what you can add to your own personal kit. Focus on what works for you.
The Dollar Store and other discount stores are great places to stock up fidget toys at cheap prices. There’s no need to go out and spend a fortune: this is your sensory kit and you can make yours in whatever way works best for you.
Ziplock bags are a great option for storing your sensory items. And they help with portability. Make multiple travel sensory kits so you can easily have them at your disposal no matter where you are. And if you have kids, your car is probably already filled with all kinds of interesting things to help both you & your family when you feel like you want to pull out your hair!
Last but not least, have fun with it. This isn’t a work or school project you’ll be graded on. Your sensory kit is designed to help YOU. It is okay to take a time out and do what you need to do to help your mental wellness.