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Sensory box

Unknown userMember26 Jan 2018, 12:44 am AEDT

Sensory box

Has anybody heard of them?
Its a box you keep and has lots of different things for different situations or feelings it can be helpful sometimes when thing become a bit full on

You can put a bunch of stuff in for all different things ill just rattle off some examples and maybe some others will have suggestions also.

For relaxing you can have candles to burn or oils to use. A nice soft toy to feel touch and cuddle. You could place a pictue of something that makes you feel calm.or even put some tea bags in.

Some people often keep coloured pen and paper inside to write things down on.

For people who 'zone out' you can had super sour things to eat or suck on to help kind of 'jolt' you back to the hear and now.

Some people use playdoh or bouncing putty to play with or mold in their hands.

Im struggling to think of more right now and i hope i have semi explained it. You can get creative with your box and it dosnt have to be big at all. Just thought this may be useful for some

Sorry if im out of line with this!

22 replies

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In response to: Sensory box

Unknown userMember26 Jan 2018, 1:45 am AEDT

Re: Sensory box

Hi @Former-Member

I have never heard of a sensory box but it sounds very helpful in aiding in relaxation. I going going to put one tobether and try it. Thanks so much for sharing of positive ways to help unwind. I particularly liked the burning of candles and oils and placing a picture in view that makes me feel calm! Really has helped. Thank you 😊

In response to: Sensory box

Unknown userMember26 Jan 2018, 12:36 pm AEDT

Re: Sensory box

You are welcome, sensory boxes can be fun to put together it dosnt have to be expensive stuff and you can be creative with what goes in your box:) i am glad it was helpful:)

In response to: Sensory box

Unknown userMember26 Jan 2018, 12:40 pm AEDT

Re: Sensory box

Hi @Former-Member

I have a sensory box I use all the time. Have filled it with calming things and things I like. Always adding things and changing things too.

I find I use it alot in times of distress. They are such a good idea

In response to: Re: Sensory box

outlanderSenior Contributor26 Jan 2018, 2:40 pm AEDT

Re: Sensory box

hi @Former-Member i have a sensory box though i call mine a coping box

thanks for sharing

In response to: Sensory box

utopiaSenior Contributor26 Jan 2018, 9:54 pm AEDT

Re: Sensory box

@Former-Member - I have a sensory box - except I call it my Comfort Box - but same principle.
I have in mine:
* gum nuts
* eucalyptus leaves
* sudoku puzzle book
* beaded braclet
* big box of Malteses
* super soft material
* colouring book and pencils
It's great to use when I need to focus my attention on something calming. It helps alot. I just have to remember to use it at the time.

In response to: Re: Sensory box

NatalieSSenior Contributor27 Jan 2018, 8:45 am AEDT

Re: Sensory box

Hi @utopia @Former-Member @outlander @Former-Member @Former-Member

My "self-soothe"/distraction kit was an idea suggested to me by a counsellor a few years ago, and since then its size fluctuates between a large suitcase (I kid you not) to a small plastic crate, because during the times when trauma and caring issues dominated my life, my brain was a mushy fractured mess, so my kit also contained relevant phone numbers and support services written on butchers paper, and items have been added and removed over time and have included:

various soft toys, including Boogie Bear, who is my absolute all-time favourite, and now alot of my toys have been donated to the charity shop so others can enjoy them......but NOT Boogie
pampering items like bubble bath, fragrant shower gels and body lotions, bath mitts and a loofah
puzzles, crosswords and numbers books
plastic building blocks (bigger than Lego)
favourite cds
mohair rug, patchwork throw rug, anything textured or "feely"
journals
a large selection of books (nothing too heavy or serious)
funny books or pictures that make me laugh
and anything that helped me feel safe and secure

In response to: Sensory box

utopiaSenior Contributor27 Jan 2018, 11:33 am AEDT

Re: Sensory box

@NatalieS - I have to remember to put in some of my favorite cd's in my soothing box. I keep forgetting

In response to: Sensory box

Unknown userMember27 Jan 2018, 11:54 am AEDT

Re: Sensory box

@NatalieS oh yes i forgot about numbers that i may need during time of upset! Thank you for that!

In response to: Re: Sensory box

QueenieSenior Contributor01 Feb 2018, 9:41 pm AEDT

Re: Sensory box

My sensory box has things that deal with the five main senses (did anyone know there are actually seven senses?). I learned this in my mindfulness classes I attended last year. My sensory box has some of the following things in it:

* Coloured smelly bath bombs. They make a fizzing noise when in contact with water and the colours swirl around as they melt, releasing yummy smells like cinnamon and bubblegum.

* Bubble wand. Sometimes ya just gotta blow bubbles.

* Squishy stress balls and fidget spinners.

* Headphones and mindfulness CD.

* Chocolate and other candies... some of them extremely sour (like Warheads).

* A tactile sensory ball (I bought it off a website specialising in sensory objects). It is squishy with a hard ball inside with tentacles hanging off it.

* Scented candles. I like to focus my attention on the flame when I am deeply distressed.

In response to: Re: Sensory box

QueenieSenior Contributor02 Feb 2018, 1:25 pm AEDT

Re: Sensory box

I almost forgot something that is too big to put into my sensory box, but is just as important all the same. My stuffed caterpillar called 'Victor'. I can't get through a single night without him.

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