Recently, I have been hearing from my POTS friends and other readers how much trouble they have been having lately with their illnesses. The change of seasons often exacerbates the symptoms of people living with chronic illness. Fluctuating barometric pressure, seasonal allergies, and extreme temperature changes are just a few reasons this could be happening. An increase in people’s debilitating symptoms, trips to the ER, and hospital admissions has led me to choose to re-post one of my very first blogs about how to create a “Survival Box.” I hope that it is of some benefit to people who are really having a tough time right now. And for those who already have survival boxes, the change of season is always a good time to replenish the ones you have.
I spent so many years feeling helpless when those times would strike when I’d be so ill and home alone and couldn’t even walk across the room. I would lie there, on the couch or on my bed, almost unable to move, and sometimes unable to even get the energy to speak. It was hard enough to feel this way, but if I got hungry, or had to use the bathroom, or if I needed my medication, it was far worse. It was worse because I couldn’t get up to do these things. I was too weak, too dizzy, and too shaky. The threat of passing out, or my legs giving out if I got up was very real, and very scary. My anxiety would shoot up which made everything far worse and I felt so vulnerable. I just had to lie and wait for hours sometimes, hoping these symptoms would pass, praying for them to remit even just a tiny bit so that I could get up and do what I needed. I would scramble from room to room with my legs weak and shaking trying to gather whatever I needed and get back to my home base, the couch, as quickly as possible. I had this experience countless times over the years.
I don’t know why I never thought of this before. I don’t know why it took me until last winter to figure out that I needed a Survival Box! Let me tell you that once I created my survival boxes, the times when I can’t get off the couch have been much more bearable, and my anxiety at those times has reduced tremendously. So what is my Survival Box? It is literally a box filled with everything I might need if I can’t get off the couch or out of bed. I created two of them and put one next to the couch and one next to my bed. I would put one wherever I feel I might need one. Those two spots worked for my purposes. I highly recommend them to anyone who has physical symptoms and experiences similar to mine.
The following is a list of what is in my survival boxes, but please don’t duplicate mine. Create your own based on your personal needs and what is healthy for you.
1) A variety of salty snacks because I actually need to eat a high salt diet as part of my treatment, as well as salt pills (choose snacks that work for your particular needs)
2) Cans of V8 and juice boxes
3) Electrolyte water and seltzer
4) A jar of peanut butter and a spoon
5) Blood pressure cuff to monitor my pressure and heart rate
6) Any medicine I might need, prescription and/or over-the-counter
7) My iPod/iPad so that I can meditate, listen to music, or watch a video
8 ) Art supplies if I feel well enough to sit up and sketch or even color! Yes I put in a coloring book and crayons, colored pencils and markers. I love color, it makes me happy!
9) A cup and napkins
10) A book to read and a crossword puzzle book and pencil
11) A legal pad and pens to write, journal, and/or record my symptoms
12) Lastly, if you choose to, you can also include something discreet to use if you are afraid that you cannot make it to the bathroom.
My survival boxes aren’t huge, but they’re big enough to hold everything I need. You can use a cardboard box or a decorative box or basket. Mine are decorative with cloth handles from Home Goods in a soft green paisley. The contents of both boxes are exactly the same, but you can design your own to meet your own personal needs.
Since I made my survival boxes, I have had a number of times when I needed them. Each time, I was so happy and relieved that everything was in arms reach. I didn’t have to worry about being without my medication, or without a needed snack if I was having issues with my blood sugar. When I couldn’t get off the couch, I could reach for my iPod and do a healing meditation and drink some V8 to help decrease some of my symptoms. As I said earlier, taking care of myself in this way had a huge impact on decreasing my feeling of anxiety when a “crash” hit. In turn, I believe it also allowed my physical symptoms to remit more quickly since I wasn’t also battling the ravages left behind by panic and upset.
Has anyone else ever made a survival box or something similar of their own? What have you put in it? Let’s hear about your experiences or thoughts in the comments section!
Inspirational Quote of the Day – “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin