What’s In Your Emergency Kit?

When I was a teen and first driving, I loved going on road trips.

My parents encouraged me, but always made sure I had what they called my “emergency kit” with me in the car.

An emergency kit was a bag with a few essential things in it. It had a road flasher, so people could see where I was if I broke down on the side of the road. It had first aid things like aspirin, bandages, antiseptic spray, and a plastic sac that got cold like an ice pack if you crushed it. And it had bottled water and something to eat like granola bars or peanuts and fruit.

My emergency kit had things so that if I got into trouble I could signal that I needed help, I could manage pain, and I could be nourished.

As I think about it, couldn’t we all use an emergency kit during tough times? When we get stressed to the breaking point, or have a sudden hard event, we should all be able to signal for help, manage our pain, and sustain our energy.

The thing about an emergency kit is that you have to prepare it ahead of time. When the emergency happens it’s too late to try to put a kit together.

So I try to think about who and how I can signal for help during hard times (my dear friends, you know who you are).  How I can manage my hurt in the moment during a crisis (deep breathing, looking at sweet pictures of my daughters). And how I can keep up my energy to get me through (taking a walk, listening to music). I think I have the basics of my emergency kit ready.

What about you?  What’s in your emergency kit that will help you signal when you need help, manage your hurt, and keep you sustained during the tough times?

Having an emergency kit is an essential part of thriving. Make sure you have yours ready!