When in Doubt, Just Add Glitter.

By -

Creating a glitter calming jar is an easy calming tool that you can make yourself at home! This is wonderful for children, teenagers, OR anyone that wants to try something new to help manage a variety of emotions.  

 A glitter calming jar is wonderful, because it is so versatile! Here are a few suggested uses: 

  • Shake really hard when feeling angry, then sit and watch the glitter settle, by the time the glitter settles, you should be a bit more relaxed and ready to deal with whatever made you angry in the first place (you will be calmer, and able to make better decisions vs. the heat of the moment decisions). 
  • Shake the jar, and watch the glitter fall as you have the desire to self-harm, distracting yourself from the painful emotions you may be experiencing, and the urge to harm yourself. 
  • Shake the jar, and watch glitter fall, while counting your breaths to calm your anxiety. 
  • Shake the jar and use it for any other reason you need distraction, a few minutes to cool off, calm-down, relax, etc.  
  • OR, simply shaking the jar can be therapeutic as well... 



Here is how to make a calm-down jar at home! 

Supplies: 
  • Small Jar, Water Bottle, Plastic Container, etc. (I used plastic spice containers from the dollar store, works great, perfect size for children!) 
  • Glitter (Different sizes, textures and colors make for more interesting effects!) 
  • Sequins, Beads, Shells, or other small objects that can be put in for more visual interest 
  • Glitter Glue OR Clear Glue (regular white glue will not work for this) 
  • Water 
  • Food Coloring 
  • Super Glue (for the lid) 
Instructions: 
  • Fill plastic jar about 3/4 full with water 
  • Add about 2 or 3 squirts of glue (clear or glitter glue) 
  • Mix well with a plastic spoon or other mixing device (will be a little clumpy at first, but once all supplies are mixed in, you can shake well, and it will settle) 
  • Add glitter (enough to cover around 1/4 inch thickness at the bottom of the jar) OR however much you would like to add, but at least 1/4 inch for it to work well.  
  • Add sequins, beads, shells, etc if desired.  
  • Add food coloring if desired. 
  • Put lid on and shake jar vigorously to mix all ingredients.  
  • Add more glitter/food color/etc. until you are satisfied with your jar.  
  • I HIGHLY recommend super-gluing the lid onto the bottle when complete, ESPECIALLY if you are making this with/for your child.  I don't even want to think about the mess this would make if the lid came loose! 
  • TA-DA! You have a glitter jar! 
ENJOY! 

Please comment and let us know how you plan to use your glitter jar! 

Hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend! 

-Lauren Dawood 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Use of Physical Exercise to Reduce Symptoms of ADHD

By -
Image
    Written by: Amelia Kelley, PhD, MS, LPC Many people with ADHD find it hard to manage their symptoms of brain fog, forgetfulness, distractibility and physical agitation. Most want to know how to manage their symptoms and, some would like to do this without medication. The HIIT for ADHD Program discussed below has been researched and proven to help reduce ADHD symptoms and improve general wellbeing and focus. Scott, 35-year-old male who suffers from adult ADHD was excited when he tried this program and told his wife, “I feel more awake and alive then I have in years. Even more then when I tried ADHD medication last year!” How did Scott find this alert, excited feeling that helped him become more focused without using medication? He found it by using a home-based, exercise program using high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that he easily accessed on a free website and only had to commit a few minutes a day to completing. To truly understand why this
Read more

The Power of Reiki

By -
Image
The Power of Reiki Written by: Missy Stancil, LPC, NCC Are you considering integrating Reiki into your self-care routine or as part of therapy? Reiki and other forms of energy healing are becoming more and more a part of treatment and wellness in Western cultures with a very long history in Eastern cultures.  For me, I approach my work (and my life) from bio-psycho-social-spiritual model, meaning I value how our individual biology and psychology, our social connection (or disconnection), and our individual and social spirituality are inextricable parts of wellness.  Devoting time and energy to becoming a Reiki Master was a natural part of my training as a behavioral health professional, and I’m delighted Amelia asked me to share a bit with you through the KCW blog. What is Reiki? The word Reiki is a Japanese word meaning spiritually guided life force energy.  Healing is accomplished by gentle touch in which energy is transferred from the practitioner to the recipien
Read more

Perception, Perspective, Point of View, Frame of Reference, Mindset, etc.

By -
Image
As I continue working with couples, parents and children, families, etc., it is becoming very clear that perspective can be a major point of distress.  In couples counseling, a number one issue I continue to notice, is one partner not understanding the other's point of view and assuming that their own understanding is the true and correct answer.  This leads to conflict, and one person feeling defensive, because they are being told that they are wrong, and that their point of view is inaccurate, invalid, unimportant, etc.  This same dynamic can be seen within families.  For example, a child is trying to explain why they unloaded the dishwasher in a different way than their parent prefers, and the parent discounts the child's views, automatically telling them they are wrong.  This leaves the child feeling defensive, confused, invalidated, and unheard.   So how do we work to improve this disconnect in perspective?  One exercise I use often in therapy, is  reflecting, or
Read more