Mental Health Toolbox

A peak inside how I manage my ups and downs of this Illness

This concept of a tool box came from my former therapist, we will call her M. M always saw my potential and one day during a session she said what do you think about creating a mental health toolbox? To which I said what the hell does that mean?

A mental health toolbox are the things we do to keep us grounded in times of struggle that we also do during the times that feel good to us.

So what tools do I have in my toolbox?

First and I’ll put this in all caps because its important: TAKE YOUR FUCKING MEDICATION. I would not be here if it wasn’t for my medication. it took a very long time to find the right cocktail but we are finally here

Second thing in my toolbox is going to therapy. Now I know not everyone can utilize this but we do have resources like NAMI which post local chapters of support groups for people who suffer from mental illness. Or maybe you just don’t want to go, believe me I was once there. It wasn’t until 2016 when i was forced to by my psychiatrist. I fooled around in therapy in the beginning and M called me out on it one day. And in that moment I realized that I needed a change.

Third tool in my tool box are DBT skills. I went to a group Of Dialectical Behavioral therapy And completed the courses 2 times. It was challenging. But you don’t have to a group setting, the book is on Amazon and there are lots of resources thank break it down for you. I use these skills everyday mainly mindfulness and radical acceptance

Fourth tool in my tool box EFT or Tapping, M gave me a copy of the Tapping Solution by Nick Ortner. And we tried it in sessions for about 2 months until I downloaded the app by the same name. Tapping has changed my life, and one day I’ll do a longer post on how I utilize each of the tools in my toolbox. The Tapping Solution is available in Google play store and apple. as well as an online way to use it.

I will warn you the next half of my tool box is woowoo (a little out there)

Fifth tool in my toolbox, Sound healing through sound bath. Whether you believe it or not everything has a vibration and we are not excluded from that, science has proven this by the way. All I know is if I don’t go to sound bath at my local studio I will feel off all week.

Sixth tool in my toolbox, Conscious Connected Breathwork, it is a way of breathing through the mouth in a continuous loop. you just focus on your breath and the rest flows, I’ve had conversations with my “higher” self if you believe in that sort of thing. I’ve had visions and release of stored emotions. I highly recommend finding a skilled practitioner.

and Lastly

Number seven: Reiki . I’ve only had 3 sessions so not a lot to report here and I’ll let you know as this progresses on, but I do feel balanced after every session.

Eventually I would like to go more in-depth on these tools but this is just an overview to give you Ideas. SO what is in your toolbox?