A wellness toolbox is a list of any and all of the tools that an individual has found to be helpful from their own personal life experience. Everyone’s wellness toolbox is different because they are based on personal experience. A wellness toolbox can be edited as you learn new helpful tools and/or cross of ones that no longer work for you. My wellness toolbox contains the following tools:
- Blog
- Clean the house
- Talk to or meet up with a friend
- Cook (organize ingredients and make a whole meal)
- Listen to Jennifer’s Rabbit by Tom Paxton (a song from my childhood)
- Take the dog for a walk
- Call friends from support groups
- Organize anything I can find
- Play the piano
- Workout and eat healthy
- Go to therapy or a support group
- Watch old family videos
- Look through old photos
- Avoid caffeine
- Light candles that smell good
- Stay away from crowds
- Watch a funny video or movie
- Color in my adult coloring books
I have done several of the things in my wellness toolbox, so at least I know I’m on the right track. I’m also planning on cooking tonight, so that’s another thing I’m doing for myself. There are some things I’ve tried, but wasn’t able to do, such as coloring. I tried but couldn’t do it for some reason. I guess I’ll try it again a little later.
This is the reason I completed the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), to help me and my loved ones when I’m struggling with either mania or depression. I’ve already found it useful. I’ve even added something to my toolbox; the coloring is a new tool. I will keep my wellness toolbox handy so I can reference it whenever necessary.
My Side of the Pole 