The world constantly bombards us with loud noises, busy spaces and vibrant sights. And these experiences can quickly become overwhelming. This leads to sensory overload.

And when we experience sensory overload, it can be helpful to have a sensory soothing kit available. But what is a sensory soothing kit and why can it be important to autistic people? In this blog, we will explore the importance of a sensory soothing kit and how to build your own. Let’s get into it!

What Is A Sensory Soothing Kit?

A sensory soothing kit is a collection of items that cater to each of your senses, helping you feel grounded and calm in overwhelming environment. They can be helpful when you experience sensory overload.

You might find it helpful to have more than one kit and keep them in different areas that you can easily access. This could be your car or desk drawer at work. If you have the space, you can build a sensory corner in your home. This could be a space where all of your sensory items are stored so they are available when you need them. This can reduce the stress of trying to find them when you are already overwhelmed.

Use Of Your Sensory-Soothing Kit

The primary focus of your sensory soothing kit is to provide support during moments of sensory overwhelm. However, your kit has versatile applications. Many find comfort in sensory-soothing practices. Some additional reasons why someone would use a sensory soothing kit are:

Grounding In The Present Moment: Sensory soothing kits can be used as a grounding tool. This can be particularly helpful to those who are prone to disassociation.

Soothing Post-Trauma: Sensory soothing kits can offer away to self-soothe after a traumatic flashback or trigger.

Anxiety Relief: Sensory soothing kits can help you self-soothe anxiety.

Distraction From Distressing Emotions: Your sensory soothing kit can serve as a distraction from unpleasant emotional experiences or thoughts.

How To Build Your Sensory Soothing Kit

When creating your sensory soothing kit, take some time to think about your sensory preferences and accommodations. Consider how each of your five senses contributes to your well-being. Choose an item for each sense that helps you regulate your nervous system in public places.

Step One

The first step to building your sensory soothing kit is to choose where to hold your items. This could be whatever you like, from a small pouch, to something larger, like a tote bag or lunchbox. As long as it is easily portable and the items are easily accessible, use whatever works for you. Some examples could be:

· A small backpack

· A cosmetics case

· A storage bin

· A fanny pack

· A drawstring bag

· A shoebox with a lid

Step Two

Next, you’ll gather the items that help soothe you and will fit into your container. Consider the five primary senses. For each sense – taste, touch, smell, sound and sight – think of the sensory input that helps you feel calm and grounded.

Visual Sensory Soothers

The items in your sensory soothing kit will depend on whether you seek or avoid sensory input. If you are sensory avoidant, consider items like sunglasses that can help shield you from visual stimuli. On the other hand, if you are a sensory seeker, object that have a soothing focal point can help.

Visual input can also help distract you during overwhelming moments. By focusing on your item that is visually soothing, you divert your attention away from distressing experiences happening around you.

Some visually soothing items to have in your kit can be:

· Sunglasses

· Bubbles

· Mini spinners

· Favourite picture

Auditory Sensory Soothers

When it comes to auditory stimuli, there are two things to consider: blocking out excess auditory input or using specific auditory stimuli to self-soothe. Both options can be used to promote a sense of calmness. Here are some items to have in your auditory sensory soothing kit:

· Noise-cancelling headphones

· Earplugs

· Apps or machines that play white noise or nature sounds

· ASMR videos or sounds

· Favourite podcasts or audiobooks

Tactile Sensory Soothers

Incorporating tactile support into your sensory soothing kit can help ground you. These items can help regulate your nervous system and give a sense of calm through touch. Some items to consider could be:

· Fidget spinners

· Objects with different textures

· Soft fabric swatches

· Stress balls

· Weighted blankets

Taste And Oral Sensory Soothers

Engaging your sense of taste can be a powerful way of calming your nervous system. By focusing your sensory experience on a single input, you can ground yourself during overwhelming moments. You can include the following taste-related items in your sensory soothing kit:

· Crunchy or chewy snacks

· Gum

· Toothpicks

· Chocolate or your favourite sweets

· Scent Sensory Soothers

Certain smells can induce relaxation and a sense of calm. Engaging your sense of smell can help create a soothing scent environment wherever you go. Over time, your brain can associate different smells with relaxation, which enhances their calming effect on the body. The following items can be including in your kit:

· Essential oils

· Scented lip balm or hand lotion

Conclusion

By having items in an easily accessible bag or container, you will have your sensory toolkit ready whenever you need it. It’s important to regularly review and update your bag. This ensures it reflects your current sensory needs and preferences. Having this toolkit can empower you to navigate overwhelming situations with greater easy and confidence.

How to build a sensory safety kit