**HOW EMOTIONAL FIRST AID BOX HELPS**

Have you heard of an emotional first aid box before? What does yours contain? Hope you have been finding it helpful?

On the one hand, emotional first aid box can be a real box (we will discuss what it can contain later) but on the other hand, it may not be a real box.

Taking the first part, for example, emotional first aid box entail practices, behaviours or creative interventions which you design to help comfort and bring you relief during trying times. It is a way of providing self - care measures to help you thrive or possibly survive stressful and difficult situations.

[Credit](https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-open-arms-while-closed-eyes-smiling-photo-712413/)

When you have a physical injury, you care for it, applying some first aid treatment such as cleaning the wounds, wrapping with bandage and if need be, taking anti -tatanus injection, just to ensure the wound doesn't get infected. The same is true of our emotional health.

When we are bruised by the betrayal of a loved one, when our heart fizzle because of the sudden loss of our cherished job, when we suffer the loss of a close one in death or even when we just feel off, you know, things not going the way you want. At these times, we become emotionally injured, but our hearts need to heal. What can help? Let's mention a few.

**REBOOT YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH**
With the same diligence you take care of your physical health when you are injured or think you have a flu, take a proper emotional hygiene (of your mind and emotions). Find out what treatment works best for you to build emotional resilience. Some suppress their feelings, some get upset by the wound but recover quickly. Some will talk to a friend, see a therapist or move out to visit fun places.

[Credit]( https://www.pexels.com/photo/barefoot-beach-blur-break-296879/)

**REPLACE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS WITH A POSITIVE THOUGHT**
We all feel awful when in distress. Some feel like they can't go on, they are almost at their breaking point. When feelings of this sort well up your mind, think positively. Do not put yourself down at this point. Rather, get busy with tasks that require all your attention and say positive things to comfort and soothe yourself as you would if someone else were in your shoes. Likely you will be there to say positive things to cheer him / her up. Try and do same for yourself.


[Credit](https://www.pexels.com/photo/cheerful-close-up-coffee-cup-208165/)

Now, on the second part of emotional first aid box. You can actually make it a real box and place in a corner of your room. Haha.
[Credit](https://www.pexels.com/photo/first-aid-case-on-wall-1327217/)

Whatever it may contain depends largely on you but put in it anything that can curb your emotions anytime you think you are not feeling quite right.

**Here are a few suggestions of what your emotional first aid box can contain**

* A stress ball
* A letter from your loved one
* A funny short story book
* A music CD that lifts up your spirit
* Pictures of old friends from school or when you were little
* A notebook to write anything or share your thoughts
* A bible. Its words are comforting
* Crayon to scribble and paint away your sorrow.

Try them out, you will get a little peace of mind and slowly dispel hard emotions.
**Note**- Emotional first aid kit may not solve long term issues but anytime you are down, it could bring immediately relief.

Thanks for reading.
Written for @wls-africa by @brigeet aka adoore-eu.**HOW EMOTIONAL FIRST AID BOX HELPS**

Have you heard of an emotional first aid box before? What does yours contain? Hope you have been finding it helpful?

On the one hand, emotional first aid box can be a real box (we will discuss what it can contain later) but on the other hand, it may not be a real box.

Taking the first part, for example, emotional first aid box entail practices, behaviours or creative interventions which you design to help comfort and bring you relief during trying times. It is a way of providing self - care measures to help you thrive or possibly survive stressful and difficult situations.

[Credit](https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-open-arms-while-closed-eyes-smiling-photo-712413/)

When you have a physical injury, you care for it, applying some first aid treatment such as cleaning the wounds, wrapping with bandage and if need be, taking anti -tatanus injection, just to ensure the wound doesn't get infected. The same is true of our emotional health.

When we are bruised by the betrayal of a loved one, when our heart fizzle because of the sudden loss of our cherished job, when we suffer the loss of a close one in death or even when we just feel off, you know, things not going the way you want. At these times, we become emotionally injured, but our hearts need to heal. What can help? Let's mention a few.

**REBOOT YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH**
With the same diligence you take care of your physical health when you are injured or think you have a flu, take a proper emotional hygiene (of your mind and emotions). Find out what treatment works best for you to build emotional resilience. Some suppress their feelings, some get upset by the wound but recover quickly. Some will talk to a friend, see a therapist or move out to visit fun places.

[Credit]( https://www.pexels.com/photo/barefoot-beach-blur-break-296879/)

**REPLACE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS WITH A POSITIVE THOUGHT**
We all feel awful when in distress. Some feel like they can't go on, they are almost at their breaking point. When feelings of this sort well up your mind, think positively. Do not put yourself down at this point. Rather, get busy with tasks that require all your attention and say positive things to comfort and soothe yourself as you would if someone else were in your shoes. Likely you will be there to say positive things to cheer him / her up. Try and do same for yourself.


[Credit](https://www.pexels.com/photo/cheerful-close-up-coffee-cup-208165/)

Now, on the second part of emotional first aid box. You can actually make it a real box and place in a corner of your room. Haha.
[Credit](https://www.pexels.com/photo/first-aid-case-on-wall-1327217/)

Whatever it may contain depends largely on you but put in it anything that can curb your emotions anytime you think you are not feeling quite right.

**Here are a few suggestions of what your emotional first aid box can contain**

* A stress ball
* A letter from your loved one
* A funny short story book
* A music CD that lifts up your spirit
* Pictures of old friends from school or when you were little
* A notebook to write anything or share your thoughts
* A bible. Its words are comforting
* Crayon to scribble and paint away your sorrow.

Try them out, you will get a little peace of mind and slowly dispel hard emotions.
**Note**- Emotional first aid kit may not solve long term issues but anytime you are down, it could bring immediately relief.

Thanks for reading.
Written for @wls-africa by @brigeet aka adoore-eu.