Tools for your Tool Box | Tbi4life Nonprofit

Tools for your Toolbox

Since 2014 when I had my brain injury, I have been told to add as many tools as possible to my "Toolbox" for my recovery. There is no right or wrong way to use these different tools.

They can help us each day, each moment and sometimes each second, to just work through something in which we are struggling with or trying to cope with.

I started adding tools which I have personally found keep me centered, focused, and not upset with myself because of my disabilities. I hope that you will find a new tool that you can add to your own toolbox.

Please share what tools have worked for you and why. I believe when we share with others it creates a positive ripple effect.

Gardening

I have found for myself that being able to plant flowers is a true blessing and a therapeutic tool which, I use on a daily basis.

The entire process of flower gardening allows me to be able to release stress, anxiety, and issues I am dealing with.

This process of flower gardening includes putting my hands in the soil and squeezing the soil between my hands and fingers, to watering the flowers, to dead heading them which means picking the flowers that have blossomed out and when the old flower is picked then it will be able to produce new flowers. I enjoy the beauty of flowers and giving the flowers to others to enjoy.

Walking outside

I love being able to enjoy going for walks outdoors with my service dog Roxy. Walking clears my mind of life circumstances and helps me focus on living "In the Moment" and not just moment to moment. To me there is a night and day difference between those two ways of looking at life.

Spending time with pets

Being able to spend time with my service dog Roxy has always helped me feel better. She has been there for me unconditionally whether I was happy or sad. She always brings a smile to my face and makes me happier no matter what.

Journaling

For myself, I have found that when I am able to write out and journal on a piece of paper my thoughts, it helps me reduce my anxiety.

Listening to Relaxing Music

I have found that my anxiety is much lower when I have relaxing music playing at a low volume.

Look at Photos of Happy Memories

Looking at photos of happy memories is another tool I find extremely helpful.

"Brain Bucks" Technique for how not to overextend your energy

The best part of the "Brain Bucks" technique is that you can customize your debits and credits to your everyday life. Start each day with $100.00 of "Brain Bucks" and for each activity, after you are done with your task or goal, gauge how much energy it took out of your $100.00 Brain Bucks for the day.

For this next technique you will need to be able to write down or have someone else write down what you want to do on a daily basis.

Next, judge the amount of energy used when trying to accomplish a task.

Before I started using this technique, I constantly found myself struggling with overextending myself and then ended up in bed and unable to participate in other activities that day.

Using this technique, I am better able to have energy for the activities I really need to do, and I am better able to understand why I need to say "No" to the activities that will be too much for me.

Here are some examples of daily activities that could be Brain Bucks debits and credits.

Debits

Subtract from "Brain Bucks"

take a shower

make the bed

do the dishes

do the laundry

clean bathroom

vacuum

fill up soap dispenser

take trash out

walk the dog

Credits

Add to "Brain Bucks"

rest with eyes closed

eat

rest with pet

listen to music

laugh

hear some jokes

read something inspiring

listen to something inspiring

drink water

Try using "Brain Bucks" for yourself

Imagine giving yourself $100.00 in mental Brain Bucks. Now for each item you want to accomplish or work on that day, break it down and ask yourself, how much energy will that use up out of the $100.00 of Brain Bucks for the day?