Making your own Safety Box

In times of crisis (when our stressors are bigger then our coping strategies), having some of
your favorite things handy can help you soothe yourself and feel calmer. Get creative and put
together a container of some sort that holds many of your favorite things. Below is a list of
things that some people have included in their safety boxes.

• Photos of family and friends

• A favorite stuffed animal
• Body lotion
• A special card
• A pet rock
• Dried flowers
• A favorite book
• An inspiring poem
• A souvenir from a trip with good memories

Get creative- wander around your room/house looking closely at what is around you. Don’t
forget to use all your senses- sometimes our favorite things are not just what we see and touch,
but are what we smell, hear and taste. Place these items into your safety box and use it to bring
you comfort/remind you of good things.

Give yourself the gift of process/write down the answers to these questions or say it out loud
(even if it to yourself):

o What do you notice is there/in the box?

o What are the things that you feel you need to be safe based on the space that
you created with this box?
o How does this relate to your life right now?
o Focus on how these items make you feel, and allow them to bring you a sense of
safety.

Adapted from Van Dijk, S. (2011) “Don’t let your emotions run your life for teens”