Creating an Anxiety Support Travel Bag for your loved one to keep in a car, closet, desk drawer etc. is a great way to offer support when you can’t be there physically. You don’t have to add everything on the following list. There’s an additional list of smaller items you may want to consider in the section called: Anxiety Support Stuffed Envelopes 

 

  • Throw blanket: Preferably one with some level of soft texture. You will have to decide whether having it be brand new so there’s little to no smell is in your person’s best interest, or whether washing it first with a laundry soap or fabric-freshener they’re familiar with, so the smell is comforting, is the way to go. Either way, place the Throw in a large sealed plastic bag to retain that freshness for a longer period. (Ziplock makes XX-large bags that seal. Vacuumed sealed bags will take up less room, but are often harder to get into during moments where that might be more frustration than it’s worth.) They can cover themselves completely, use it to wring as a large fidget.

 

  • Along those same lines, have you considered a weighted lap blanket? It might be a bit much to try and add a large weighted blanket (though you could potentially opt for a baby blanket size) the weighted lap blankets available on the market now do tend to be just the ticket for a lot of folks as a means to help self sooth or calm.

 

  • Warm winter gloves or mitts: Doesn’t matter what season of the year it is. Again, consider texture. Placing hands into gloves or mitts allow for your person to use them to rub their arms, back of neck or thighs with a texture that can help focus the mind and nerves with a distracting and calming sensation.

 

  • Check out our sections called: Fun Items That Lower Blood Pressure and Different Fidgets ** NOTE: Tom we’ll need these two links to be made live

 

  • Bottled water and a protein snack: Your local grocery store or Health Food center will carry a load of options worth considering.
  • GatoradeTM or AdvoCareTM Hydrate packets to add to water.
  • Protein bars
  • Protein chips
  • Protein cookies
  • Nuts or seeds
  • Dried fruit can be another welcome option as it takes some slow chewing

 

  • Pop-Up books: There are some incredibly detailed pop-up books out there not just for kids. The word mesmerizing comes to mind.

 

  • Coloring books and colored pens/pencils: Lots of folks like these. They can range from images only, to the focus being on a phrase. ZARZAND has some coloring pages created for our communities as well which might better suit the need: CLICK HERE!

 

  • Put in a T-shirt they associate with you: Add some level of YOUR perfume or colon on it, for them to cuddle. Make sure you stick this in an air tight zip style bag to better retain the smell.

 

  • Small photo album: Now’s the time to leave them a book of moments that hold good memories. Maybe even place notes with them sharing your thoughts on what was going on it the picture, memories from your perspective.

 

  • Battery operated candle or flashlight

 

  • Check the market for sequin pillows. They come in multiple sizes cover wise, so even if you don’t want to stuff in a pillow, the same sensation is available to add a texture based distraction into the mix.

 

  • If nausea typically occurs: Does it make sense to include a fresh shirt, wipes, and several zip style plastic bags for disposal of anything that needs addressing? Also, a paper bag for privacy reasons pertaining to disposal of those bags? Placing some breath mints or gum in, is often a kindness. (Note: Adding a toothbrush, paste, a bottled water and small disposable container with lid for spitting into is another consideration.) Having access to the freedom to clean up quickly will help lower secondary anxiety.

 

  • Polarized sun glasses: These don’t need to be expensive. But the way they alter the world around them for a few minutes can be a subtle calming distraction.

 

  • Small digital voice recorder: These don’t have to be expensive as they’re sole purpose is to be available only during these high stress moments. Leave them a prerecorded message from you;
  • Words of reassurance.
  • You counting backwards or forwards at a slow pace.
  • You reading from a book.
  • Music
  • A movie scene or show they regularly watch that you record off the TV/laptop.