One of my most favorite tips to give others is to create your own self care kit made up of a collection of items that bring you comfort. Here, in this post, are a number of self care kit ideas to get you started.
Once you have your own kit together, maybe think about paying it forward and sharing this tip. A self care kit makes a great gift for a family member or friend.
There is nothing better than sharing what you love with someone you love.
If there is anything to learn from the stressors of life it is to combat them by pausing and slowing down.
Learning to be kinder to ourselves through grace, acceptance, and forgiveness is a lifelong journey.
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What is a Self-Care Kit?
Every self care journey needs a self care kit. A self care kit is having everything you need for your self care in one place, ready to go.
Finding time for your self care is essential. Saving time by having your own self-care kit on hand is one way to ensure it happens.
Before I created my own self care kit, I would find myself running around the house looking for a nice scented candle, opening cupboards to find oils that I heard might work, or searching the shelves for that one book that ‘I can’t remember the title of but had a great line in it that I would love to think on’.
It dawned on me one day– this is kind of a chaotic way to jump into what is supposed to be a zen, self-reflective journey.
Why is a Self Care Kit Important
Make self care as simple as possible. One way to do that is to have a self care kit that contains everything you need.
You, if anything like me, will no longer be spending time frantically searching the house trying to locate individual items as you need them.
My self care basket holds everything I need, with easy access.
When I grab my basket and see all of the items, my mind automatically shifts modes and signals my body that it is time for self care. This allows me to enter the moment in peace rather than chaos.
How to Make a Self Care Kit
Firstly, it is important to know that self care looks different for everyone. Some people may enjoy a quiet bath, whereas someone else may love and need a solo dance party with their favorite music.
Self care is so important to our emotional health and our mental health. Take some time to determine what your ideal self care looks like.
The first thing to do is make a list of things that make you happy, bring you to a space of peace, and encourage your inner growth.
If you are making a self care kit for someone else, think about the things that they like. What type of person are they? Then create a box of things full of the best self-care gifts for that person.
RELATED: 100 Best Self Care Ideas for Moms: Tips and Benefits
What Goes in a Self Care Kit?
Fill your self-care box with some of your favorite things and comforting items.
We have hectic schedules and life demands, so don’t let your available time inhibit your self care.
Be sure to have items in your self care kit that can be used for when you only have 10 minutes as well as items for when you have a delicious afternoon to dedicate. The ideal time for self care can vary day to day.
So, let’s get started. Use these self care kit ideas to start building your own.
The Power of Scents
Scents have the power to evoke memories and emotions as well as guide our moods and emotional state.
- Essential Oils
There are many health benefits of essential oils like reducing stress and anxiety, elevating a mood, aide in sleep.
Some great essential oils to consider:
- Add a beautiful essential oil diffuser to up the aesthetics and atmosphere.
- Candles – Add multiple candles at various heights for a pleasing dramatic light effect.
Self Reflection and Growth
Have tools at the ready to help guide your self-reflection and awareness
- Notebook and Pen
Be sure to have a piece of paper or journal in your self care kit for you to get your thoughts out, creative writing, a brain dump or to do list.
Beautiful affirmation cards to inspire and encourage mindful positive thinking.
- A Good Book – The wondrous tale of The Alchemist is one to read over and over again.
- Self-Care Quotes that resonate for you, lift you up and give you something to reflect on.
RELATED: 100 Best Sunday Self Care Quotes to Inspire You
- Photo Album – Keep a small photo album of pictures of your loved ones. Looking at the photos can ground you and remind you of your purpose.
- Positive Notes – Write yourself a little positive note and stick it in your self care kit to remind yourself of your power, resiliency, and love.
Sounds and Music
Until we stop and sit in our silence it is easy to not realize how much noise fills our days. So, take a moment to curate the noise around you.
- Sound Machines aren’t just for babies anymore! White noise can benefit adults too by aiding in better quality sleep
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones are an amazing thing when all you want is some peace and quiet
- Podcasts – Create a list of your favorite podcasts. There are so many great podcasts that you can turn to if you want to get lost in a story or for personal development and growth.
- Create a specific self care playlist. It’s a great idea to have a playlist for your journaling time or a separate playlist for when you just want to dance crazy to expel energy.
Self Care Beauty Items
Add a few beauty products to your self care kit.
- Manicure and Pedicure kit to give your nails and toes a pick me up.
- Stock up on your favorite nail polish colors.
- Face Masks for a little DIY spa time to keep your skin fresh and replenished
- Eye Mask – Relax your eyes after a long day with with an eye mask that you can heat or freeze to help soothe a headache or puffy eyes.
- Moisturizing Lip Balm infused with butters and oils
- Rose Quartz Face Roller and Gua Sha set to reduce tension and fine lines in the face and neck. Put it in the freezer for an extra soothing effect when puffy and tired.
Additional Self Care Kit Ideas
Bath and Body Products
Use some of these products to enhance a hot bath providing a luxurious experience
- Add Bath Bombs to enhance your everyday bath to help you relax and unwind.
- In addition to using your essential oils in your bath, you can add some Bath Salts as well for a luxurious experience that will leave your skin soft and smooth
- Use Body Scrubs to exfoliate and shed your dead skin. The results are too good to pass up.
- Invest in a really nice hydrating lotion that leaves your skin moisturized and feeling good.
- Massage Oil – Our bodies hold onto stress and negative energies within our muscles. Use massage oils for your body and feet to help massage away tightness and soar muscles.
- Dry Brush – Dry brushing is a great way to unclog pores and increase blood circulation.
Cozy Feel Good Items
- Wrap yourself in a wonderful organic cotton robe. It will feel like a warm hug.
- Warm Fuzzy Socks – I have a pair of yummy, cozy socks that I purposefully save for my self-care days and my airplane travel. I operate better when my feet are warm 🙂
- Loungewear has taken on a whole new meaning recently, invest in a great pair of pjs that you can be comfortable lounging in.
Calming Activities
- Adult Coloring books are a creative activity that can be relaxing and makes a great addition to your self care box. Add some nice coloring pencils too.
- Yoga Mat – Incorporating daily stretching into your routine is important for your physical health
- Stress Ball – Squeeze away your stress and anxiety with these motivational stress balls
- Acupressure Ring – Wearing an acupressure ring can help relieve stress and tension while looking like a piece of jewelry at the same time.
- Silly Putty – Don’t forget something that is just fun and silly. It is surprisingly relaxing and a grounding sensory activity.
- Favorite Movies – Have a list of your favorite movies on hand so you can easily pick and choose.
Tasty Treats and Snacks
There is nothing wrong with having a tasty treat an arm’s length away. Have some good options for snacks and treats in your self care kit.
- Chocolate – There are some benefits to eating dark chocolate such as increased heart health, brain function and reduced stress.
Everything in moderation of course. Look for chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for the increased health benefits and lower sugar content.
- Tea – An assortment of organic herbal teas
Can’t go wrong. It’s the perfect addition to “cozy”. That’s all I have to say
Self Care Subscription Box
A self care subscription box is a great alternative to building your own kit. It also makes a perfect gift to someone else. Sometimes it may be easier to have a self-care gift box delivered every month.
Self Care Package Ideas
Are you creating a self-care package for someone else? Lucky recipient! I love creating self care packages for friends and family members especially during the holiday season or as a birthday gift.
Sending a custom care package is the perfect way to show some extra love and a great way to encourage someone to start their own self care journey.
When building a self care package for someone else start by thinking about the kind of thing that would make this person happy.
Homemade self care packages can be curated towards anything specific someone may need if they are going through difficult times or tough times.
Adding a gift card to a coffee shop or favorite store along with a quick note is the perfect topping to a self care package.
Self Care Kit Ideas for your Journey
A self care kit is like having a best friend in a box. It’s there for you when you are having a good day, a bad day, or whatever you are feeling in the present moment.
There is no wrong way to make a self care kit.
Your self care is important. It is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.
You give the best version of yourself when your well is full and your needs are met.
Creating your own kit is a powerful tool to use on your self care journey. It is an easy way to give yourself a little love when you need it.
I hope these self care kit ideas help you build your own self care kit. And that you come to see that an act of self-care can be simple things that go a long way toward your overall health and happiness.
What do you put in your self care kit? Drop a whisper below, I’d love to know!